VA Home Loans in Del Rio, Texas
Serving Laughlin Air Force Base, the 47th Flying Training Wing, and Del Rio military families. Scott Carlin, 20-year Air Force veteran and VA loan specialist (NMLS# 2613509). Call 321-364-4461.
VA Loans for Veterans and Military Families in Del Rio
Del Rio is home to Laughlin Air Force Base, one of the busiest pilot training bases in the United States Air Force. Laughlin hosts the 47th Flying Training Wing, which produces more pilots annually than any other base in the Air Force using T-6 Texan II, T-38 Talon, and T-1 Jayhawk training aircraft. The base is the largest employer in Val Verde County and is the backbone of the Del Rio economy.
A VA loan is a mortgage backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, available to eligible veterans, active-duty service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and surviving spouses. VA loans offer zero down payment, no monthly mortgage insurance, competitive interest rates, and flexible credit requirements — benefits designed specifically to help those who have served.
Scott Carlin is a 20-year Air Force veteran, mortgage loan originator (NMLS# 2613509), and founder of TrueVet Mortgage. As a fellow airman, Scott understands the unique dynamics of a pilot training base and helps military families throughout the Del Rio area navigate the VA loan process from pre-approval to closing — typically in 21 to 30 days.
Why Veterans Choose Del Rio
Del Rio is a small city with an extremely affordable housing market and a tight-knit military community centered around Laughlin AFB. For service members on a pilot training assignment, the cost of living in Del Rio is among the lowest of any Air Force base in the country — meaning your BAH goes further here than almost anywhere else.
Popular neighborhoods and communities for military families include North Del Rio (closest to Laughlin AFB), San Felipe Springs area, Cienegas Terrace, and Laughlin AFB housing. North Del Rio offers the shortest commute to the base with a mix of established and newer homes. The San Felipe Springs area provides a quieter residential feel. While the housing inventory is smaller than larger Texas cities, there are consistently homes available at price points that make buying with a VA loan an easy financial decision over renting.
The Del Rio economy is driven by Laughlin AFB, border commerce, agriculture, ranching, and government services. Major employers include Laughlin AFB, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Val Verde Regional Medical Center, the San Felipe Del Rio Consolidated Independent School District, and local ranching operations. Texas has no state income tax.
Del Rio sits on the U.S.-Mexico border along the Rio Grande and Lake Amistad, one of the best fishing and recreation lakes in Texas. The area offers a unique blend of West Texas landscapes, border culture, and outdoor recreation that many military families come to appreciate during their assignment.
VA Loan Benefits for Del Rio Homebuyers
VA loans give Del Rio military homebuyers advantages that conventional loans simply cannot match. Key benefits include:
Zero down payment — buy a home in Del Rio with nothing down, keeping your savings intact for moving costs, furniture, or emergencies.
No monthly mortgage insurance — unlike conventional or FHA loans, VA loans never charge monthly mortgage insurance, saving you hundreds of dollars each month.
Competitive interest rates — VA loan rates are typically lower than conventional rates because the VA guaranty reduces lender risk.
Flexible credit requirements — VA loans are more forgiving of past credit challenges than most loan programs, making homeownership accessible to more veterans.
Assumable loans — if you sell your Del Rio home when you PCS, the buyer may be able to assume your VA loan at your original interest rate, which can be a major selling point in a high-rate market. This is especially valuable at a pilot training base where there is always a new class of students and instructors arriving.
No prepayment penalty — pay off your VA loan early or make extra payments anytime without fees.
VA loans can be used for single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and multi-unit properties (up to four units) in Del Rio and Val Verde County.
Who Qualifies for a VA Loan in Del Rio?
VA loan eligibility in Del Rio is based on your military service. You may qualify if you meet one of the following:
Active-duty service members who have served at least 90 continuous days.
Veterans who meet minimum active-duty service requirements based on when they served.
National Guard and Reserve members with at least six years of service or 90 days of active-duty service under federal orders.
Surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty or from a service-connected disability, who have not remarried (or remarried after age 57).
To apply, you will need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which Scott can help you obtain — often within minutes. You will also need to meet basic income and credit requirements set by the lender, though VA loans are more flexible than conventional programs.
Whether you are a student pilot, instructor pilot, or support staff at Laughlin AFB, or a veteran who has settled in the Del Rio area, TrueVet Mortgage can help you determine your eligibility and get pre-approved.
Why Work with TrueVet Mortgage for Your Del Rio VA Loan?
TrueVet Mortgage was built by a veteran, for veterans. Scott Carlin spent 20 years in the Air Force before founding TrueVet Mortgage to give fellow service members the kind of mortgage experience they deserve — honest, informed, and built around the unique needs of military families.
Scott understands the unique situation at a pilot training base like Laughlin — assignments can range from one to several years, and buying a home can make more financial sense than renting even on a shorter assignment, especially when your BAH covers the mortgage and you build equity instead of paying a landlord. Scott can help you run the numbers and decide whether buying is the right move for your situation.
TrueVet Mortgage is licensed through Xpert Home Lending, Inc. (NMLS# 2179191) and serves veterans and military families across Florida and Texas. Scott handles every loan personally — no hand-offs, no call centers, and no surprises.
TrueVet Mortgage also serves veterans across Texas, including San Antonio, Killeen, El Paso, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, and Corpus Christi.
Call Scott Carlin at 321-364-4461 or visit our Schedule a Call page to get started with your Del Rio VA loan.
Frequently Asked Questions About VA Loans in Del Rio
Can I use a VA loan to buy a home in Del Rio?
Yes. VA loans can be used to purchase a home anywhere in the Del Rio and Val Verde County area. The home must be your primary residence.
Do I need a down payment for a VA loan in Del Rio?
No. VA loans require zero down payment regardless of the purchase price in Del Rio. This is one of the biggest advantages of the VA loan program.
How long does it take to close on a VA loan in Del Rio?
Most VA loans close in 21 to 30 days. Scott Carlin works closely with you throughout the process to keep everything on track and avoid delays.
Can I use my BAH to qualify for a VA loan?
Yes. Your Basic Allowance for Housing counts as qualifying income for a VA loan. Because BAH is tax-free, lenders can gross it up by 25%, increasing your buying power. Check your 2026 BAH rate for Laughlin AFB using our BAH Calculator.
I am PCSing to Laughlin AFB for pilot training. Should I buy or rent?
It depends on your assignment length and financial goals. In Del Rio, home prices are low enough that your BAH can often cover a mortgage with room to spare, allowing you to build equity. If you PCS before selling, VA loans are assumable — meaning the next person assigned to Laughlin may be able to take over your loan. Call Scott at 321-364-4461 to run the numbers for your situation.
I am a student pilot at Laughlin. Can I get a VA loan?
Yes. As long as you are an active-duty service member with at least 90 days of continuous service, you are eligible for a VA loan. Many student pilots at Laughlin choose to buy rather than rent because the math works in their favor.
What if I have used my VA loan benefit before?
You can use your VA loan benefit more than once. If your previous VA loan has been paid off and you have restored your entitlement, you can use it again with zero down payment. Scott can help you check your remaining entitlement.
TrueVet Mortgage also serves veterans across Texas, including San Antonio, Killeen, El Paso, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, Abilene, Wichita Falls, Del Rio, San Angelo, and Corpus Christi.
Visit our VA Loan FAQ for answers to common questions
Look up your 2026 BAH rate for any Texas military installation with our free BAH Calculator.
Ready to Buy a Home in Del Rio? Call Scott Carlin at 321-364-4461 or visit our Schedule a Call page. As a 20-year Air Force veteran and VA loan specialist, Scott will guide you through every step of the process — from pre-approval to closing.
