Home › Veteran News and Blog › VA Loans: Getting Started
A VA home loan is one of the most valuable benefits you earned through your service, yet most buyers I meet have never had anyone explain what it covers, what it costs, or how to get started. This guide walks you through it, whether you're buying in the Portland metro or across the river in SW Washington.
What Is a VA Home Loan?
A VA loan is a mortgage backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for eligible veterans, active duty service members, qualifying National Guard and Reserve members, and certain surviving spouses.
$0 Down
Finance up to 100% of the home's value with no down payment required.
No PMI
No monthly private mortgage insurance, which can save you hundreds of dollars a month.
Competitive Rates
The VA guarantee often means lower rates than conventional loans.
A Reusable Benefit
Use your benefit more than once. Entitlement is often restored after you sell or pay off the loan.
Using a VA Loan on Either Side of the Columbia River
Your VA loan works the same in Oregon and Washington. The right side for you depends on taxes, commute, and the type of home you want.
Portland Metro, Oregon
Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, Lake Oswego, Happy Valley, and West Linn. No sales tax, and a property tax exemption for qualifying disabled veterans.
SW Washington
Vancouver, Camas, Ridgefield, Battle Ground, and Washougal. No state income tax, lots of newer construction, and Clark County property tax relief for qualifying veterans and seniors.
Compare the two in my Vancouver WA vs Portland OR guide.
How to Get Started
Confirm Your Eligibility
Your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) confirms your VA entitlement. Your lender can usually pull it for you in minutes.
Talk to a VA Loan Specialist
Choose a lender who does VA loans every day, not just once in a while.
Get Preapproved
Know your price range before you tour homes, and show sellers your financing is solid.
Find the Right Home
We'll search Oregon and Washington for homes that fit your budget and timeline.
Close With Confidence
Your lender and I coordinate every detail through closing day.
Why your lender matters: A VA experienced lender catches issues early, explains the funding fee and entitlement clearly, and keeps your purchase on schedule. A lender who rarely does VA loans is one of the most common causes of delays.
Our Local VA Lending Team: Creekside Mortgage
I recommend Kerry Greenwald and Creekside Mortgage. Kerry is a veteran who has built one of the most experienced VA lending teams in the Northwest.
Kerry Greenwald
President and Senior VA Loan Officer, Creekside Mortgage
NMLS# 70269
Call or text Kerry at any of these numbers:
Kerry entered the mortgage business in 1996 and opened Creekside Mortgage in 2005 after his military service. His team has helped more than 7,000 military families, and most of their business comes from referrals. Outside of work, he coaches youth sports and enjoys the outdoors with his wife and four children.
Ready to See What You Qualify For?
Call or text Kerry at 503.445.1038, 360.910.0651, or 208.900.8035 to get preapproved, then start browsing homes.
Ready to Start Your Home Search?
Browse homes in the Portland metro and across the river in Vancouver, Camas, and Ridgefield.
Meet Your Veteran Realtor: Troy Doty
25+ Years
Local experience in the Portland metro and SW Washington
1,000+ Homes Sold
Helping buyers and sellers since 2001
USMC Veteran
And a VA loan specialist
I'm the Principal Broker of Northwest Realty Source and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, with more than 25 years helping Portland area veterans and active duty families buy and sell homes. I'd be glad to help you put your VA benefit to work.
- Call or text: 503.997.4169
- Email: troy@nwrealtysource.com
- Schedule a call or video meeting
- More about Troy
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for a VA home loan?
Most veterans, active duty service members, qualifying National Guard and Reserve members, and certain surviving spouses. Your lender pulls your Certificate of Eligibility to confirm your entitlement.
Can I use a VA loan in both Oregon and Washington?
Yes. Your VA entitlement isn't tied to a state, and Creekside Mortgage is licensed to close loans in both Oregon and Washington.
Do I need a down payment for a VA loan?
Usually not. With full entitlement, you can buy with no down payment. Putting money down can lower your VA funding fee and your monthly payment.
Is there mortgage insurance on a VA loan?
No. VA loans don't have monthly private mortgage insurance. Most buyers pay a one time VA funding fee instead, and veterans who receive VA disability compensation are exempt.
Can I use my VA loan more than once?
Yes. Your VA benefit can be used again, and your entitlement is often restored after you sell the home or pay off the loan.
How do I get started with a VA loan?
Talk with a VA loan specialist like Kerry Greenwald to confirm your eligibility and get preapproved, then we'll start your home search.
More Guides for Veterans
Meet Your Veteran Realtor
Troy Doty, Principal Broker
Troy Doty is a Principal Broker with Northwest Realty Source in Portland, with 25 years in real estate and over 1,000 homes sold across the Portland metro and SW Washington. As a Marine Corps veteran, Troy has a true passion for helping Portland veterans and active duty military families buy and sell homes, whether you're PCSing in, transitioning out, buying your first home, investing in a duplex, triplex, or fourplex, or right sizing later in life.
Schedule a Call or Video Meeting ➜ More About Troy ➜ Free Veteran Buyer E-BookPrefer to call or email? 503.997.4169 · troy@nwrealtysource.com
Troy Doty, Principal Broker, Northwest Realty Source. Licensed in Oregon and Washington. ABR®, MRP, and SRES® are credentials of the National Association of REALTORS® and its affiliates. CIAS™ is a designation of U.S. Realty Training. This page is general information, not legal, tax, or lending advice.
