You may need to make a down payment if you’re using remaining entitlement and your loan amount is over $144,000. This is because most lenders require that your entitlement, down payment, or a combination of both covers at least 25% of your total loan amount. So if you’re able and willing to make a down payment, you may be able to borrow more than the county loan limit with a VA-backed loan. Remember, your lender will still need to approve you for a loan. The lender will determine the size of loan you can afford based on your:
- Credit history
- Income
- Assets (items of value such as savings, retirement, and investment accounts)
We don’t require a minimum credit score, but some lenders may have different credit score requirements. Be sure to contact more than one lender to compare. Note: You may have heard the terms additional entitlement, bonus entitlement, or tier 2 entitlement. We use these terms when we communicate with lenders about VA-backed loans over $144,000. You won’t need to use these terms when applying for a loan.