West Virginia VA Loan Requirements 2026
How VA entitlement works in West Virginia and why full entitlement carries no county loan cap, the 2026 funding fee tables and exemptions, VA’s service requirements, and how a VA loan pairs with West Virginia Housing Development Fund programs.
VA Loan Eligibility in West Virginia
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.
How VA Entitlement Works in West Virginia
A VA guaranty lets most eligible buyers purchase with no down payment and no private mortgage insurance. With full entitlement, VA’s bonus entitlement usually covers 25% of the amount a lender is willing to lend, so the 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 | Usually none |
| Partial entitlement | Yes — remaining entitlement is based on the county loan limit | May be required above what your remaining entitlement covers |
| County Group | Conforming Limit (partial entitlement reference) |
|---|---|
| 54 West Virginia counties | $832,750 |
| Jefferson County | $1,249,125 |
VA says its home loan limits are the same as FHFA’s conforming loan limits and that you use the one-unit limit even for a multi-unit property. See VA’s home loan entitlement and limits page. The maximum VA loan on a property is the lower of the appraised value or the purchase price.
West Virginia VA Loan Requirements
| Requirement | Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Down payment | Usually none with full entitlement | The lender determines the loan amount |
| Credit score | 580–620 (lender overlay) | VA does not require a minimum score |
| Seller concessions | Up to 4% of reasonable value | Seller credits for closing costs are not limited |
| Funding fee | Varies — see below | Waived for exempt borrowers |
| Mortgage insurance | None | No private or monthly mortgage insurance |
2026 VA Funding Fee
The funding fee is a one-time charge on a VA-backed loan. 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)
- Service members with a proposed or memorandum rating before closing based on a pre-discharge claim
- Active-duty members who provide evidence of a Purple Heart on or 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 WVHDF
A VA loan and WVHDF’s programs are not mutually exclusive. WVHDF accepts VA guaranties on its first mortgages, and its Low Down Home Loan can be added to a WVHDF Homeownership or Movin’ Up first mortgage.
| WVHDF Program | How It Works with VA |
|---|---|
| Homeownership or Movin’ Up first mortgage | VA-guaranteed loan made through WVHDF or a partner lender, within WVHDF’s income and house price limits |
| Low Down Home Loan | Up to $12,000 for down payment and closing costs, 15-year second mortgage at 2% |
Because a VA loan usually requires no down payment with full entitlement, the question is whether the Low Down Home Loan is worth its second-mortgage payment to cover closing costs — and WVHDF offers it only when the loan-to-value ratio is at or above 80%. On VA loans, WVHDF says to follow VA’s own homebuyer education guidelines. Check current terms with the West Virginia Housing Development Fund.
