Current VA Mortgage Rates

Comparing the best VA mortgage rates could save you thousands of dollars over the life of your loan.

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LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
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Current VA loan rates

Loan Product
Interest Rate
APR
30-year fixed rate VA mortgage purchase
5.71%
5.91%
15-year fixed rate VA mortgage purchase
5.30%
5.64%
VA 30-year 5/1 ARM mortgage purchase
6.07%
6.46%
30-year fixed rate VA refinance
6.40%
6.78%
15-year fixed rate VA refinance
5.95%
6.65%
VA 30-year 5/1 ARM refinance
6.58%
6.71%
Current average rates are calculated using all conditional loan offers presented to consumers nationwide by LendingTree’s network partners over the past seven days for each combination of loan type, loan program, and loan term. Rates and other loan terms are subject to lender approval and are not guaranteed. Not all consumers may qualify. See LendingTree’s Terms of Use for more details.
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Byline Written by Rene Bermudez | Edited by Crissinda Ponder | Updated October 10, 2024

Why compare VA mortgage rates?

Rate shopping with at least three VA lenders could save you thousands in interest and closing costs. Get VA mortgage rate quotes in the table above by choosing your loan type, home value, down payment and credit score. Keep in mind that VA loans are only for primary residences and not all lenders are approved to offer them.

Do VA loans have lower interest rates than other mortgages?

VA loan rates tend to be lower than what most borrowers are offered for conventional loans or FHA loans because they’re guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Right now, 30-year VA loan rates are 5.71%, while comparable conventional loan rates are 7.03%. Current average rates are calculated using all conditional loan offers presented to consumers nationwide by LendingTree’s network partners over the past seven days for each combination of loan type, loan program and loan term. Rates and other loan terms are subject to lender approval and are not guaranteed. Not all consumers may qualify. See LendingTree’s Terms of Use for more details. At today’s rates, that difference could save you about $50 to $200 per month on a $400,000 home purchase.

Ready to estimate your monthly payment on a VA loan? Use our VA loan calculator.

What to know when comparing interest rates

As you shop around for the best mortgage rates, keep an eye on each loan’s total costs (also known as its annual percentage rate (APR)). If you have to pay a funding fee — and most VA borrowers do — that can push up your total loan costs. You can find APR information on Page 3 of your loan estimate.

Related article Read more about the difference between an APR and an interest rate.

How to get the best VA loan rates

  • Improve your credit score. Pull your credit reports and correct any errors that may be affecting your score. If you still need a boost, taking the time to repair your credit can help you qualify for a lower rate.
  • Comparison shop. Get a loan estimate from three to five lenders, and be sure to compare APRs as well as interest rates.
    Related article Learn more about our picks for the best VA loan lenders.
  • Pick a shorter loan term. Most of us see the 30-year mortgage as the standard, but it’s also worth considering a shorter 10- or 15-year mortgage term. If you can afford the higher payments, you’ll save thousands in interest charges over the life of your loan.
  • Buy discount points. Also called mortgage points, discount points allow you to purchase a lower interest rate. It’s not mandatory, but if you can afford to buy a lower rate, you could save money over the long term.
  • Choose an adjustable-rate loan. If you’re truly on the hunt for rock-bottom rates, adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) are an option that can help you get a VA loan at the lowest possible interest rate. That said, you need to understand how ARM rates work, and be prepared for the full spectrum of possible rates you could face when the loan starts adjusting.
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What determines VA loan rates?

  • Your credit score. The higher your credit score, typically the lower your rate.
  • Your loan amount. Lenders may charge a higher interest rate for loans that are unusually small or large.
  • Your down payment. This isn’t as much of a factor with VA loans since a down payment isn’t usually required — however, a higher down payment may result in a lower interest rate.
  • Your mortgage term. Your term is how many years it takes to repay your loan. You’ll usually pay a lower rate for a shorter term (like a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage versus a 30-year term), but you’ll have a higher monthly payment amount.
  • Your home’s location. Mortgage rates vary from city to city and state to state.
  • The financial markets. VA loan rates change daily, based on a variety of economic factors — that’s why it’s important to gather all your rate quotes on the same day.
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Types of VA loans

  • Purchase loans. The highly popular 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is a common choice for borrowers with VA loans.
  • Purchase ARMs. Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) allow you to enter a loan at a very competitive interest rate for a fixed number of years. However, when your “teaser” period ends, the rate becomes adjustable based on market conditions and could become much more expensive.
  • Streamline refinances. Also called interest rate reduction refinance loans (IRRRLs), streamline refinances are an option for borrowers who want to replace an existing VA loan with a new one that better suits their financial situation.
  • Cash-out refinances. If you have a conventional loan, the only way to refinance into a VA loan is through a VA cash-out refinance. This program allows you to pay off your old loan with a new VA loan and take out a lump sum of cash all at the same time.
  • Construction loans. VA construction loans typically come with lower interest rates than other conventional construction loans, and you’ll have the added benefit of delaying your loan repayment until construction is complete.
  • Renovation loans. Also called a VA rehab loan, this VA loan type allows you to fund the purchase of a fixer-upper home and the renovations all in one loan.
  • Farm loans. You can use a VA farm loan to buy a farm with the caveat that it has to be purchased as a residential property — not a business — and the land has to already have a residential dwelling on it.
  • Manufactured home loans. A VA loan can be used to buy a manufactured home, or purchase both a manufactured home and a plot of land to put it on at the same time. You can also refinance a home you already own while purchasing a new plot of land to move it to. Just be prepared to put down at least 5%, as this type of VA loan requires a down payment even if you have full entitlement.

Pros and cons of VA loans

ProsCons
Low upfront costs. You likely won't need a down payment if you have full entitlement.

No mortgage insurance. You won't pay any mortgage insurance, regardless of your down payment amount.

Capped loan costs. Your lender can't charge you more than 1% of your loan amount in total fees.

Reusable. You can have multiple VA loans and reuse your VA loan entitlement.

Competitive interest rates. You'll typically have access to rates on par with or lower than other common loan types.
VA fees. You may have to pay a VA funding fee of up to 3.30% of your loan amount.

Eligibility hurdles. You can't qualify unless you meet military service requirements.

Occupancy requirement. You can't use a VA loan to buy a second home or an investment property.

Property requirements. Your home must meet stringent VA appraisal standards.

Risk of going underwater. You may later owe more than your home is worth if you roll the VA funding fee into your loan amount.
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Should I get a VA loan or conventional loan?

VA loans typically come with very competitive rates, but there’s a lot to consider beyond interest rates when choosing a mortgage. Every loan program comes with unique costs that also affect how expensive a loan will be. Here’s a breakdown of the costs typically associated with a VA loan versus conventional loan.

VA loan Conventional loan 
Funding fee 1.25% to 3.30% of the loan amount Not required
Down payment Not required with full entitlement  3% minimum
Lender fees Capped at 1% of the loan amount Typically 1% to 6% of the loan amount 
Mortgage insurance Not required About $30 to $70 per $100,000 borrowed Only required for homeowners with less than 20% equity.

Frequently asked questions

Military veterans, active-duty service members and eligible surviving spouses may qualify for a VA loan, as long as they meet the minimum service requirements and have sufficient VA entitlement.

According to VA guidelines, you’re typically eligible for a VA loan if:

  • You’re an active-duty service member who served more than 90 continuous days of active duty
  • You’re a veteran or member of the National Guard or Reserve member, and you meet the active-duty requirements for your service dates
  • Your spouse was a service member and is missing in action, or died while in service or from a service-related disability

To confirm your eligibility for a VA loan and see how much of your VA loan entitlement you have left, apply online for a certificate of eligibility at the Veterans Information Portal.

VA purchase rates can be slightly higher or lower than VA refinance rates, depending on the market. However, some lenders may offer more competitive rates on the loan type they specialize in. Whether you’re buying or refinancing, get at least three to five loan estimates on the same day to ensure you’re snagging the best possible VA loan rate.

The exact timeline will vary from lender to lender, but you can expect the VA loan process to take between one and two months.