March Air Reserve Base sits at the heart of the Inland Empire, straddling Riverside and San Bernardino counties. With thousands of active-duty reservists, Air Force veterans, and retired military personnel in the region, the VA home loan is one of the most-used mortgage products in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan area. If you’re stationed at March ARB, transitioning out, or a veteran who has settled in the Inland Empire, a VA loan can get you into a home with zero down payment and no private mortgage insurance.

March Air Reserve Base — Who’s Eligible

March ARB is home to the 452nd Air Mobility Wing, the 163rd Attack Wing (California Air National Guard), and a variety of tenant units. Eligible borrowers for VA loans include: active-duty Air Force and Air Reserve personnel with at least 90 days of service; Air National Guard members with 6 or more years of service or who have been federally activated; veterans who were honorably discharged; and surviving spouses of veterans who died in service or from a service-connected disability.

If you’re currently assigned to March ARB and looking to buy in Riverside or the surrounding Inland Empire cities — Moreno Valley, Perris, Hemet, Lake Elsinore, Murrieta, or Temecula — a VA loan is almost certainly the best mortgage option available to you.

Inland Empire VA Loan Benefits

The Inland Empire’s housing market has rebounded strongly since 2023, with single-family homes in Riverside County ranging from $450,000 to $750,000 in most communities — well within reach of a VA loan with zero down payment.

Zero down payment. A $550,000 Moreno Valley home at 20% conventional down requires $110,000 upfront. A VA loan requires zero.

No PMI. On a $550,000 purchase with a conventional 5% down loan, PMI runs approximately $250–$350/month. VA has no PMI — ever.

Competitive rates. VA loans consistently price 0.25–0.50% below conventional loan rates, saving Inland Empire veterans $75–$150/month on a median-priced home.

No loan limits for full entitlement. The 2026 conforming loan limit for Riverside County is $766,550. Veterans with full entitlement can borrow above this amount with zero down. The VA does not cap the loan amount for full-entitlement borrowers.

Cities Near March ARB Where VA Loans Are Active

The VA loan is heavily used throughout the Inland Empire’s military community. Popular purchase markets for March ARB personnel include Riverside (the county seat, close to base), Moreno Valley (immediately adjacent to March ARB), Perris, Menifee, Murrieta and Temecula (popular with families seeking top-rated schools), Lake Elsinore, Hemet, and San Jacinto. Further out, Redlands, Yucaipa, and Beaumont in San Bernardino County also draw military buyers for their newer construction and lower price points.

VA Funding Fee Exemption for Disabled Veterans

A large percentage of March ARB veterans have service-connected disabilities from deployments in support of OIF, OEF, or other operations. If you have a disability rating of 10% or higher from the VA, you pay zero funding fee on your VA loan — saving $8,000–$20,000 on a typical Inland Empire purchase. This exemption applies for life and extends to VA refinances (including VA IRRRLs).

VA Loans and BAH at March ARB

For active-duty service members at March ARB, Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates for the Riverside County area can be used as qualifying income for VA mortgage approval. As of 2026, BAH rates for March ARB (Riverside, CA zip codes) range from approximately $2,400/month for E-4 without dependents to $3,600+/month for senior NCOs and officers with dependents. This housing allowance can be applied directly toward a mortgage payment, making homeownership financially sound even for junior enlisted personnel.

March ARB & Inland Empire VA Loan Specialists

DiVita Home Finance has helped veterans and active-duty service members buy homes across Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Fast closings, VA-experienced appraisal coordinators, and personal service every step of the way. NMLS #323700 | CA DRE #01818285.

Call 800-239-1103 or Start My VA Pre-Approval →

FAQ: VA Loans Near March Air Reserve Base

Can active-duty Air Force Reserve personnel at March ARB use a VA loan?

Yes. Reservists who have completed at least 6 years of honorable service in the Reserves, or who have been activated to federal service for at least 90 days, are VA-eligible. Many March ARB personnel qualify through one or both pathways.

What is the VA loan limit for Riverside County in 2026?

The conforming loan limit for Riverside County is $766,550 in 2026. Veterans with full VA entitlement face no loan limit and can borrow above this amount with zero down payment. Partial-entitlement veterans may need a down payment on loan amounts above $766,550.

How quickly can DiVita close a VA loan near March ARB?

Most VA purchases in the Inland Empire close in 21–28 days with a complete application. We order the VA appraisal immediately after ratification and manage the process from COE to close.

Related VA Loan Resources

About DiVita Home Finance

DiVita Home Finance is a small, family-owned mortgage company based in Marin County, California. When you call, you speak directly with Michael DiVita — the owner — not a call center, not an out-of-state rep, not someone reading from a script. We’re here for a low-key, no-obligation conversation about your situation.

We take your privacy seriously. We will never sell your information to third-party lenders or lead generation companies — unlike many of the large mortgage platforms. Your inquiry stays with us, period.

📞 Call: (800) 239-1103 | 💬 Text Michael directly: (310) 849-9124

VA Loans Near March Air Reserve Base: Inland Empire Home Buying Guide for Veterans