Unlocking the Door to Your Dream Home with VA Loans: A Guide for Veterans and Military Families

Liz Gibbs • February 14, 2024

At Eagle Mortgage, we're not just in the business of offering loans; we're in the business of making dreams come true. The journey to homeownership might seem daunting for the brave souls who've served our country. But it doesn't have to be. VA loans are designed to honor your service and make the path clearer and more accessible. The start is just the start: zero down payment, no private mortgage insurance (PMI), and lenient credit score requirements. So, if you're a veteran, an active-duty service member, or a surviving spouse, let's explore how VA loans can unlock the door to your dream home.


Eligibility for VA Loans


The first step on this journey is determining eligibility. VA loans are a privilege for:


  • Veterans
  • Active-duty service members
  • National Guard members
  • Reserve members
  • Some surviving spouses


You'll need to have served a minimum period and meet the service requirements set by the Department of Veterans Affairs. A Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is your ticket here, and at Eagle Mortgage, we can help you navigate this process smoothly.


Benefits of VA Loans


VA loans come with a suite of benefits designed to make homeownership more attainable:


  • No Down Payment: One of the most significant hurdles to homeownership is the down payment. VA loans often require none, making it easier to take the leap.
  • No PMI: Unlike conventional loans, VA loans don't require you to pay private mortgage insurance, even if your down payment is below 20%.
  • Competitive Interest Rates: The VA backs these loans, leading to lower interest rates compared to many conventional loans.
  • Lenient Credit Requirements: VA loans are more forgiving regarding credit scores, making them accessible to more people.


The Application Process


Applying for a VA loan with Eagle Mortgage is a journey we walk together:


  1. Pre-Qualification: We'll discuss your financial situation and what you're looking for in a home to get an idea of your loan amount.
  2. COE: You'll need a Certificate of Eligibility from the VA, which we can help you obtain.
  3. Loan Application: We'll guide you through the application, helping you gather and submit the necessary documents.
  4. Property Appraisal: The VA requires an appraisal to assess the value of the home you're interested in.
  5. Closing: Once everything is in order, we'll close the loan, and you'll get the keys to your new home.


Success Stories


A Navy veteran, John dreamed of a home where his family could grow roots. He bought a spacious four-bedroom house with a VA loan through Eagle Mortgage without draining his savings on a down payment. Maria, a single mother and Army reservist, thought homeownership was out of reach until she explored VA loans with us. Now, she's a proud homeowner, providing stability for her children.


VA loans are a bridge to homeownership for many who've served our country. With no down payment, no PMI, and competitive interest rates, they're an excellent pathway to owning your dream home. Eagle Mortgage is here to guide you every step of the way, from exploring your eligibility to handing you the keys. Your service deserves honor, and your dreams of homeownership deserve to be realized. Let's make those dreams come true together.

Best Chili Recipe

By Liz Gibbs • January 27, 2026
Ingredients ▢2 pounds lean ground beef ▢1 onion diced ▢1 jalapeño seeded and finely diced ▢4 cloves garlic minced ▢2 ½ tablespoons chili powder divided, or to taste ▢1 teaspoon cumin ▢1 green bell pepper seeded and diced ▢14.5 ounces crushed tomatoes 1 can ▢19 ounces canned red kidney beans drained and rinsed ▢14.5 ounces canned diced tomatoes with juices ▢1 ½ cups beef broth ▢1 cup beer ▢1 tablespoon tomato paste ▢1 tablespoon brown sugar optional ▢salt and black pepper to taste Instructions Combine ground beef and 1 ½ tablespoons chili powder. In a large pot, brown ground beef, onion, jalapeno, and garlic. Drain any fat. Add in remaining ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered 45-60 minutes or until chili has reached desired thickness. Top with cheddar cheese, green onions, cilantro or other favorite toppings. Serving size: 1 1/2 cups Beer can be replaced with extra broth. Any ground meat will work in this recipe. Optional toppings: sour cream, red or green onion, cheese, jalapenos, cilantro, avocado & lime wedges, tortilla chips Nutrition Information Calories: 395 | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 77mg | Sodium: 283mg | Potassium: 1066mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 870IU | Vitamin C: 26.2mg | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 6.2mg

Cowboy Casserole

By Liz Gibbs • December 16, 2025
Ingredients - 1 (32-oz.) bag of tater tots - 4 strips of bacon (about 3 oz.) - 1/2 yellow onion, chopped - 2 cloves garlic, chopped - 1 lb. ground sirloin - 1 (10.75-oz.) can cream of mushroom soup - 3/4 cup milk - 1/2 tsp. salt - 3/4 tsp. ground black pepper, divided - 3 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped - 1 cup frozen corn - 8 oz. shredded cheddar or colby jack cheese - 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese - Chopped chives or scallions, for topping Directions 1 Preheat the oven to 375˚F. Remove the tater tots from the freezer to let them thaw slightly while you prepare the filling. 2 Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until golden brown and extra crispy, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the grease in the skillet. 3 Add the onion to the skillet with the grease and cook until slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute more. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it into small pieces with a wooden spoon, until no pink pieces remain, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain off the excess fat, if you like. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the soup, milk, salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper; mix until smooth. Fold in the spinach to wilt slightly. Stir in the corn. 4 Sprinkle the cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Place the tater tots on top in a single layer, arranging them in concentric circles (or just toss them on and push them very close together). Sprinkle the top with the parmesan cheese and the additional 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. 5 Bake until he tater tots are golden, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from the oven and crumble the cooked bacon over top. Let rest 5 minutes. Top with chopped chives or scallions and serve.

No Bake Cannoli Pie

By Liz Gibbs • December 4, 2025
The Prep Time: Additional Time: Total Time: Servings: Yield: 20 mins 4 hrs 4h rs 20 mins 1 0 1 (9-inch) pie Crust: - 8 waffle cones, slightly crushed - 1/2 cup roasted pistachios - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar - 7 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted - cooking spray Filling: - 1/4 cup salted roasted pistachios, plus chopped pistachios for garnish - 1½ cups whole milk ricotta - 1 cup mascarpone cheese - 1 cup unsifted powdered sugar - 1 /2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips, plus more for garnish - 2 teaspoons grated orange zest, plus more for garnish - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt - 1 cup heavy whipping cream Directions: - Gather all ingredients. - To make the crust: Pulse waffle cones, pistachios, and sugar in a food processor until mixture is finely ground, about 20 (1-second) pulses. Add butter, and pulse until mixture holds together when squeezed, about 10 (1-second) pulses, stopping to scrape down sides as needed. - Lightly coat a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate with cooking spray, and transfer waffle cone mixture to prepared pie plate, pressing evenly into bottom and up sides of pie plate. Freeze crust, uncovered, until set, about 15 minutes. - Meanwhile, to make the filling: - Finely chop pistachios, and transfer to a medium bowl. Add ricotta, mascarpone, powdered sugar, chocolate chips, orange zest, vanilla, and salt. Stir until combined, and set aside at room temperature. - Beat heavy cream with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until medium peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes. Spoon whipped cream into ricotta mixture, and gently fold until just combined. - Spoon ricotta mixture into prepared Crust, and spread in an even layer with a rubber spatula or offset spatula. Cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate, uncovered, until set, at least 4 hours or up to 8 hours. - Remove pie from refrigerator; remove plastic wrap, and garnish with additional chopped pistachios, chocolate chips, and orange zest. Nutrition Facts (per serving) 664 50g 46g 11g Calories Fat Carbs Protein
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