The VA-backed home loan may be the widest-known real estate benefit for military members past and present, but it’s far from the only one.
A number of states offer grants, reduced-rate loans and other benefits to service members and veterans of various stripes. Home HQ has featured several state-run programs in the past (here, here and here); see below for more options to help you land your next home.
Missouri: Veterans can take part in the state’s First Place loan program even if they’ve already owned a home. The program offers discounted rates as well as a Cash Assistance Payment option that lets beneficiaries borrow funds for closing and related costs. Learn more about income and purchase-price limits, and get links to lender and pre-qualification websites, here.
Nebraska: The Military Home Program, run by the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, allows service members and veterans to qualify for “competitively priced” interest rates. Veterans also are exempt from the program’s first-time buyer requirement. Unlike many other state-run programs, VA loan eligibility isn’t required. Learn more here (PDF).
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Ohio: Service members, veterans and surviving spouses may qualify for the Ohio Heroes program, a discounted interest rate offered via the Ohio Housing Finance Agency. The program also covers first responders and teachers. Participants must have a credit score of 640 or higher (660 for some loan types) and must complete an online education course. Other financial restrictions apply, including income and purchase-price limits.
Tennessee: Service members past and present who participate in the state’s Great Choice Home Loans program can qualify for a lower interest rate (half a percentage point below other beneficiaries) and can participate in the first-time homebuyer program even if they’ve already owned a home. A series of restrictions apply including home price and income maximums, and credit score requirements; military spouses also may qualify. Head here for details.
Utah: The Utah Veteran First-time Homebuyer Grant offers $2,500 to active-duty service members and veterans who’ve left service in the last five years to purchase their first home in the state. Beneficiaries must be eligible for a VA loan to participate, and they can qualify for the grant if they’ve owned homes in other states. Head here for the online application.
Kevin Lilley is the features editor of Military Times.
