Serving Camp Mabry, Austin's veteran community, and military families across Central Texas. Scott Carlin, 20-year Air Force veteran and VA loan specialist (NMLS# 2613509). Call 321-364-4461.
Austin is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country and home to a large and rapidly expanding veteran population. Camp Mabry, the headquarters of the Texas Military Department, is located in the heart of Austin and serves as the command center for the Texas Army National Guard, Texas Air National Guard, and Texas State Guard. Austin is also within easy reach of Fort Hood in Killeen, making it a popular home base for service members and veterans who work at or have separated from one of the Army’s largest installations.
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. Scott helps veterans and military families throughout the Austin metro area navigate the VA loan process from pre-approval to closing — typically in 21 to 30 days.
Austin offers veterans one of the strongest job markets in the country, a vibrant culture, and a tech-driven economy that increasingly values the leadership and technical skills military veterans bring. The city has become a magnet for veterans transitioning into careers in technology, defense contracting, and government.
Popular neighborhoods and communities for veterans include Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Leander, Kyle, Buda, Hutto, and Manor. Round Rock and Cedar Park are among the most popular suburbs with excellent schools, affordable housing relative to central Austin, and a short commute along the I-35 corridor. Georgetown has seen explosive growth and is a top destination for military retirees. Kyle and Buda south of Austin offer newer developments and easy access to both Austin and San Antonio. Pflugerville and Hutto on the east side provide some of the most affordable options in the metro.
Austin’s economy is powered by technology, government, defense, healthcare, and education. Major employers with military and defense connections include the U.S. Army Futures Command (headquartered in Austin), BAE Systems, General Dynamics, Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, Dell Technologies, Apple, Tesla, Samsung, and the University of Texas at Austin. The Texas Veterans Commission is also headquartered in Austin, along with numerous veteran service organizations and transition assistance programs.
Texas has no state income tax, and while Austin’s housing market has grown significantly over the past decade, the surrounding suburbs still offer strong value compared to other major tech hubs like San Francisco, Seattle, and Denver. For veterans with a VA loan and zero down payment, Austin’s suburbs are well within reach.
VA loans give Austin military homebuyers advantages that conventional loans simply cannot match. Key benefits include:
Zero down payment — buy a home in Austin 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 Austin home, 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.
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 Austin and the surrounding Central Texas communities.
VA loan eligibility in Austin 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 serve at Camp Mabry, commute to Fort Hood, work in the Austin defense industry, or you are a veteran who has settled in the Austin area, TrueVet Mortgage can help you determine your eligibility and get pre-approved.
TrueVet Mortgage was built by a veteran, for veterans. Scott Carlin is a 20-year Air Force veteran, VA loan specialist, and mortgage loan originator (NMLS# 2613509) who founded 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.
As a VA loan lender with access to over 120 wholesale lenders, Scott works as your mortgage broker to find the best rate and terms – not as a mortgage company that locks you into one option. He understands the challenges veterans face when buying a home – whether it is transitioning out of service into Austin’s competitive tech job market, using your VA loan benefit for the first time, or finding the right home in a fast-growing metro where prices have risen sharply. He has walked the same path and knows what matters.
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.
Call or text Scott Carlin at 321-364-4461, use the chat on this page, or visit our Schedule a Call page to get started with your Austin VA loan.
Can I use a VA loan to buy a home in Austin?
Yes. VA loans can be used to purchase a home anywhere in the Austin metro area, including Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Pflugerville, Leander, Kyle, Buda, Hutto, and Manor. The home must be your primary residence.
Do I need a down payment for a VA loan in Austin?
No. VA loans require zero down payment regardless of the purchase price in Austin. This is one of the biggest advantages of the VA loan program.
How long does it take to close on a VA loan in Austin?
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.
I am a veteran living in Austin. Can I still use my VA loan benefit?
Yes. You do not need to be active-duty or live near a military base to use your VA loan benefit. Any eligible veteran living in Austin can use a VA loan to purchase a primary residence. Scott can help you obtain your Certificate of Eligibility and get pre-approved.
Can I use my VA disability income to qualify for a VA loan in Austin?
Yes. VA disability compensation counts as qualifying income for a VA loan. Because VA disability income is tax-free, lenders can gross it up by 25%, increasing your buying power. Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 10% or higher are also exempt from the VA funding fee.
Can I buy a home in Round Rock or Georgetown with a VA loan?
Yes. VA loans work anywhere in the Austin metro area, including Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Leander, Kyle, Buda, Hutto, and Manor. There are no geographic restrictions within the United States.
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.
If you already own a home in the Austin metro area with a VA loan, you may be able to lower your interest rate with the VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL), also known as the VA streamline refinance. The IRRRL requires minimal paperwork, no appraisal in most cases, and no out-of-pocket costs if the funding fee and closing costs are rolled into the new loan.
This is one of the fastest and simplest ways to reduce your monthly mortgage payment. Visit our VA IRRRL Streamline Refinance page to learn more about eligibility and how the process works.
TrueVet Mortgage also serves veterans across Texas, including San Antonio, Killeen, El Paso, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, 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 Austin? Call or text Scott Carlin at 321-364-4461, use the chat on this page 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.