YOU EARNED IT.
NOW LET'S
USE IT.
$0 down. No PMI. Competitive rates backed by your service. Get pre-qualified in 2 minutes with the #1 Loan Officer in America — 6 years running.
Takes 2 minutes · No credit impact · No obligation
SHANT BANOSIAN
President, Rate · NMLS# 7206
BENEFITS CIVILIANS
CAN'T TOUCH.
Your service unlocked one of the most powerful home loan programs ever created. Here's what that means for your wallet and your future.
$0 DOWN PAYMENT
Finance 100% of your home's purchase price up to your county loan limit. No saving for years — buy now while rates and inventory work in your favor.
NO PMI. EVER.
Conventional buyers pay $150-$400/month in private mortgage insurance with less than 20% down. VA borrowers don't. That's real money back in your pocket every single month.
LOWER RATES
VA loans typically come with rates 0.25%-0.5% below conventional mortgages. On a $400K loan, that's $20,000+ in savings over the life of the loan.
FLEXIBLE CREDIT
VA guidelines are more forgiving on credit scores, debt-to-income ratios, and recent credit events than conventional or FHA loans. Your service opens doors others can't.
REUSABLE BENEFIT — YOUR ENTITLEMENT NEVER EXPIRES
First-time VA buyer? You can use this benefit again later. Already used part of your entitlement? You may have remaining entitlement available. I'll calculate exactly what you qualify for and explain it in plain English — no jargon.
No credit impact · 2-minute form
AMERICA'S #1 LOAN OFFICER.
SIX YEARS RUNNING.
I'm Shant Banosian — President at Rate and the #1 Loan Officer nationwide six years running. Over a 20-year career, I've personally closed more than 40,000 loans totaling over $10 billion in funded volume.
Behind those numbers are veterans and military families just like yours — first-time buyers using their VA benefit, families relocating after a PCS, retired service members buying their forever home. I understand COE processing, VA appraisal nuances, entitlement calculations, BAH qualification, and deployment timing because I do this every single day.
You earned this benefit. My job is to make sure you actually get the full value of it — without confusion, without jargon, and without ever feeling rushed.
Direct line · No call centers · Real human, every time
THE VA LOAN, EXPLAINED.
Five minutes that could save you thousands. Watch Shant break down the VA loan process from start to finish.
The VA Loan, Explained in 5 Minutes
Shant Banosian · Rate · NMLS# 7206
FROM PRE-QUAL
TO CLOSING DAY.
Four clear steps. No surprises. Most VA loans close in 30-45 days from contract.
CHECK ELIGIBILITY
Submit the 2-minute pre-qualification. I pull your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for you — no DD-214 hunting required.
GET PRE-APPROVED
I review your income, credit, and entitlement. You get a written pre-approval letter to shop with confidence and win against cash offers.
FIND YOUR HOME
Once you're under contract, I order the VA appraisal, lock your rate, and underwrite the loan. I personally manage every step.
CLOSE & MOVE IN
Sign at closing, get your keys, and start your next chapter. Zero down out of pocket, no PMI, and the rate you were promised.
RUN YOUR NUMBERS.
See exactly what your VA loan payment could look like. No PMI factored in — because you don't pay it.
TRUSTED BY THOSE
WHO SERVED.
"I separated from the Army in 2022 and had no idea where to start with the VA loan. Shant pulled my COE himself, walked me through everything, and we closed on our first home in 32 days. He explained things twice when I needed it without ever making me feel dumb."
"My BAH situation was complicated and three other lenders told me I'd have to put 20% down. Shant actually understood active-duty income and got me approved using my BAH as qualifying income. Closed on our home in Framingham with zero down, zero PMI, at a rate half a point below my last quote."
"I retired Navy after 24 years and had partial entitlement remaining from a previous home. Shant calculated my remaining entitlement, structured a second VA loan, and got the appraisal cleared even with two repair items the seller had to fix. Best lending experience of my life — and I've had a few."
SEE WHAT YOU
QUALIFY FOR
IN 2 MINUTES.
No credit pull. No commitment. No "thank you for your service" without substance — just real numbers from the #1 Loan Officer in America.
- Personalized VA loan estimate
- Entitlement & COE guidance
- Direct response from Shant or his team
- Zero down payment options explained
VA LOAN FAQ.
Do I really qualify for $0 down?
If you have your full VA entitlement and you're buying within your county's loan limit, yes — 100% financing with no down payment. If you've used your entitlement before or you're buying above the limit, we'll calculate exactly what (if anything) you'd need to bring to the table. Most first-time VA buyers put $0 down.
I don't have my DD-214 or COE. Can I still get started?
Absolutely. Most veterans I work with don't have their COE on day one. I request it directly through the VA's lender portal on your behalf — usually back within 24-48 hours. You don't need to hunt down paperwork before reaching out.
What credit score do I need for a VA loan?
The VA itself sets no minimum credit score. Most lenders look for 580-620+, but I work with veterans across a wide credit range. If your score isn't where you'd like it, I'll tell you exactly what to do over the next 30-90 days to improve it — at no cost to you.
Can my BAH count toward qualifying income?
Yes — if you're active duty, your Basic Allowance for Housing counts as qualifying income on a VA loan. This is one of the biggest reasons active-duty service members can qualify for more home than they realize. Many civilian lenders get this wrong. I don't.
What's the VA funding fee and can it be waived?
The VA funding fee is a one-time charge (typically 1.25%-3.3% of the loan amount) that funds the VA loan program. It can be financed into your loan rather than paid upfront. It's also fully waived for veterans receiving VA disability compensation, Purple Heart recipients, and surviving spouses. I'll confirm your status when we talk.
How long does a VA loan take to close?
Most of my VA loans close in 30-45 days from contract to closing — comparable to or faster than conventional financing. The myth that "VA loans take forever" comes from inexperienced lenders. I've closed thousands of VA loans and know how to keep the timeline tight, especially around the VA appraisal.
YOU SERVED.
NOW IT'S MY TURN.
Find out what your VA benefit can actually buy you. Two minutes. No credit impact. Real answers from America's #1 Loan Officer.
Shant Banosian · President, Rate · NMLS# 7206
