To get a VA loan in California in 2026, you need to be an eligible veteran, active duty service member, or surviving spouse with a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), a minimum credit score of 580–620 (lender guideline), and sufficient income to meet the debt-to-income requirements — there is no down payment required and no loan limit for eligible borrowers.
VA Loan Eligibility Requirements in California
To qualify for a VA loan in California, you must meet one of the following service requirements:
- 90 consecutive days of active duty service during wartime
- 181 days of active duty service during peacetime
- 6 years of National Guard or Reserve service
- Surviving spouse of a veteran who died in service or from a service-connected disability
You must also obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which your mortgage broker can obtain on your behalf through the VA’s automated system.
VA Loan Credit Score Requirements in California
The VA itself has no minimum credit score requirement. However, most California VA lenders set their own minimum at 580–620. For the best VA loan rates in California, aim for a 680+ credit score. DiVita Home Finance works with VA lenders who can approve loans with scores as low as 580.
VA Loan Benefits for California Veterans
- No down payment required — Buy a California home with 0% down
- No private mortgage insurance (PMI) — Saves $300–$600+/month vs. conventional loans with less than 20% down
- No loan limit — Eligible borrowers with full entitlement can borrow any amount (lender income underwriting still applies)
- Competitive interest rates — VA loans typically have the lowest rates of any mortgage program
- Flexible credit requirements — More lenient than conventional loans
- VA funding fee — Required fee (1.25–3.3% of loan amount) that can be financed; waived for veterans with service-connected disability ratings
VA Loan Limits in California 2026
Since 2020, there are no VA loan limits for eligible veterans with full entitlement. You can purchase any price home in California (subject to lender income guidelines). If you have remaining entitlement (from a prior VA loan), county limits may apply — in high-cost California counties like Marin, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, the 2026 VA county limit is $1,724,750.
VA Home Loans for California Veterans — DiVita Home Finance
Michael DiVita (NMLS #323700) has helped hundreds of California veterans use their VA loan benefit over 25+ years. DiVita Home Finance works with multiple VA wholesale lenders to find you the best VA rate. Call (800) 239-1103 for a free VA loan consultation.
