Most veterans assume a low credit score means a VA loan is out of reach. With manual underwriting, a real human underwriter looks at your whole financial picture instead of a computer rejecting you on your credit score alone, so you can still get approved even with bad credit. I wrote an article that breaks down exactly how it works. https://scarpero.com/va-manual-underwriting-your-key-to-va-home-loan-approval-if-you-have-bad-credit/

Here is something most veterans do not know: the VA does not set a minimum credit score for a home loan. Not by law, not by rule. Lenders can add their own credit overlays, but if you know how those overlays and manual underwriting work, you may still get approved with low credit. I break it all down here: https://scarpero.com/how-to-get-a-va-home-loan-with-bad-credit/

Here is a fact that surprises almost every veteran I talk to: the VA itself does not set a minimum credit score for a VA loan. Lenders layer their own minimums on top, and manual underwriting can even get a low-score borrower approved. I just published a full breakdown of how credit score requirements really work in 2026, plus what to do if your score is on the low side. Read it here: https://scarpero.com/va-loan-credit-score-requirements-2026/

I see collection accounts trip up VA buyers all the time, and most of the time it comes down to one simple rule that a lot of people get wrong.The VA counts 5 percent of your total collection balance divided by 12 months as a monthly debt against your income. That rule changed with Change 47, and knowing the actual rule can make or break your approval. I broke it all down in plain English here: https://scarpero.com/va-loan-collections-5-percent-divided-by-12-months/

Have you ever said to yourself, 'There's no way I'm giving up my 2% or 3% mortgage rate'? I hear this from veterans and military families constantly. It's one of the biggest reasons people are staying put right now instead of making a move. There's been a lot of buzz lately about 'portable mortgages' the idea that you could take your existing low rate with you when you buy a new home. On the surface, it sounds like the perfect solution. But here's the reality: it's a lot more complicated than it sounds. A few things make this tough to pull off in the U.S.: - Our mortgages are typically 30-year fixed loans, which is rare globally - - Most U.S. mortgages get bundled into mortgage-backed securities and sold to investors changing the terms isn't as simple as just moving the loan - - If you're buying a more expensive home, you'd likely need a second loan for the difference at today's higher rates, which can cancel out a lot of the savings Countries like Canada and the UK do have versions of mortgage portability, but their systems are built completely differently from ours. So what CAN you do if you're feeling locked in? This is where I'd point veterans toward a few real options worth exploring: - VA loan assumptions a qualified buyer can take over your existing VA loan, and you can potentially negotiate on price - - Wait and watch rates won't stay elevated forever - - Factor in your equity gains sometimes the math works out better than you think Portability sounds great in theory, and I'm not saying it's impossible down the road. But right now, the structural barriers in the U.S. are significant. So let me ask the community: Are you currently feeling 'locked in' by your low rate? What's holding you back from making a move, and have you looked into any alternatives? Read the full article here: https://www.scarpero.com/portable-mortgages-explained/