Buying your first home using a VA loan is an exciting milestone, especially if you're a veteran or an active duty service member. However, this process can also be filled with pitfalls that might cost you time, money, and even the chance to secure your dream home. Drawing from years of experience helping VA homebuyers, I want to share the six most common rookie mistakes that I see first-time VA buyers make — and more importantly, how you can avoid them. If you’re preparing to buy your first home with a VA loan, this guide will help you dodge costly errors, reduce stress, and make your home buying journey smoother.