Idaho VA Loan Requirements 2026
VA eligibility and how entitlement works, why a county loan limit matters only when your entitlement is partly used, the 2026 funding fee tables for purchase and refinance with the full exemption list, Idaho’s military installations including Mountain Home Air Force Base, and how a VA first mortgage pairs with IHFA down payment assistance.
VA Loan Eligibility in Idaho
VA eligibility is federal and does not vary by state. Your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) shows the entitlement your lender will use.
| Category | Minimum Service |
|---|---|
| Active-duty service members | At least 90 continuous days |
| Veterans | Depends on when you served |
| National Guard | 90 days of non-training Title 10 active duty, or 6 creditable years |
| Reserve | 90 days of non-training active duty, or 6 creditable years in the Selected Reserve |
| Surviving spouses | Receiving or eligible for certain DIC, or spouse of a service member missing in action or held as a prisoner of war |
Full service rules, discharge exceptions and COE requests are on the VA home loan eligibility page.
Idaho Military Installations
Idaho’s military presence includes Mountain Home Air Force Base and the Idaho Military Division, both home to service members and veterans who use VA financing.
| Installation | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mountain Home Air Force Base | Mountain Home area | Home of the 366th Fighter Wing |
| Gowen Field | Boise | Headquarters of the Idaho Military Division, with facilities in nearly two dozen Idaho communities |
How VA Entitlement Works in Idaho
With full entitlement there is no down payment as long as the price does not exceed the appraised value, and no private mortgage insurance. A county limit does not cap your loan; your lender’s approval does. If part of your entitlement is already in use, your remaining entitlement is based on the county loan limit where you buy.
| Entitlement Status | Does a County Limit Apply? | Down Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Full entitlement | No — the lender’s approval sets the amount | 0% if the price does not exceed the appraised value |
| Partial entitlement | Yes — remaining entitlement is based on the county loan limit | May be required above the limit |
| County Group | Conforming Limit (partial entitlement reference) |
|---|---|
| 43 Idaho counties | $832,750 |
| Teton County | $1,249,125 |
VA explains entitlement and county limits on its home loan entitlement and limits page. The maximum VA loan on a property is the lower of the appraised value or the purchase price.
VA Loan Requirements in Idaho
| Requirement | Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Down payment | 0% with full entitlement | When the price does not exceed the appraised value |
| Credit score | 580–620 (lender overlay) | VA sets no minimum score |
| Occupancy | Primary residence | You must live in the home you buy |
| Seller concessions | Up to 4% of reasonable value | Credits for closing costs are not limited |
| Funding fee | Varies — see below | Waived for exempt borrowers |
| Mortgage insurance | None | The funding fee replaces it |
2026 VA Funding Fee
The funding fee is a one-time charge that replaces mortgage insurance. It can be financed into the loan, and it falls as your down payment rises.
| Down Payment | First Use | Subsequent Use |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 5% | 2.15% | 3.3% |
| 5% or more | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| 10% or more | 1.25% | 1.25% |
| Refinance Type | First Use | Subsequent Use |
|---|---|---|
| Cash-out refinance | 2.15% | 3.3% |
| Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL) | 0.5% | 0.5% |
Who is exempt
- Veterans receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability
- Veterans eligible for that compensation but receiving retirement or active-duty pay instead
- Surviving spouses receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
- Holders of a pre-discharge proposed or memorandum rating
- Active-duty members with evidence of a Purple Heart received before closing
Veterans with VA disability ratings, surviving spouses receiving DIC, and active-duty Purple Heart recipients are exempt from the funding fee. Cash-out refinance funding fees are 2.15% for first use and 3.30% for subsequent use; IRRRLs carry a 0.5% fee. Confirm current rates at the VA’s official funding fee page.
Pairing a VA Loan with IHFA
A VA loan and IHFA assistance are not mutually exclusive. IHFA offers VA versions of its home loans, and its down payment and closing cost assistance can be added.
| IHFA Program | How It Works with VA |
|---|---|
| IHFA VA first mortgage | VA loan made through an IHFA lending partner |
| Down payment and closing cost assistance | Second mortgage up to 8% of the lesser of the sales price or appraised value, 15-year fixed, usable for closing costs |
Because a VA loan already requires no down payment with full entitlement, the question is usually whether IHFA’s assistance is worth its second-mortgage payment for closing costs. Household income must be at or below $170,000. Check current terms with the Idaho Housing and Finance Association.
