VA Home Loans in Houston, Texas
Serving Ellington Field JRB, the Houston veteran community, and military families across the Greater Houston area. 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 Houston
Houston is home to one of the largest veteran populations in the United States, with more than 300,000 veterans living in the Greater Houston metro area. Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base supports operations for the Texas Air National Guard, Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, and the Coast Guard. NASA’s Johnson Space Center, headquartered in nearby Clear Lake, also brings a significant number of military-connected professionals to the region.
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 Houston metro area navigate the VA loan process from pre-approval to closing — typically in 21 to 30 days.
Why Veterans Choose Houston
Houston offers veterans a massive job market, affordable housing for a city its size, and a deep infrastructure of veteran support services. The Texas Veterans Commission, the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (one of the largest VA hospitals in the country), and dozens of veteran service organizations make Houston one of the best cities in America for post-military life.
Popular neighborhoods and communities for veterans include Clear Lake, League City, Pearland, Katy, Sugar Land, Cypress, Spring, Kingwood, and Webster. Clear Lake and League City are closest to Ellington Field and NASA Johnson Space Center, making them popular with military and aerospace professionals. Katy and Cypress offer newer construction, top-rated schools, and family-friendly communities on the west side. Pearland and Sugar Land provide affordable options south of downtown with easy highway access. Spring and Kingwood are popular with families looking for space on the north side.
Houston’s economy is one of the most diversified in the country, driven by energy, healthcare, aerospace, manufacturing, and a booming tech sector. Major employers with military and defense connections include NASA, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, KBR, Honeywell, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District. The Texas Medical Center — the largest medical complex in the world — also employs thousands of veterans.
Texas has no state income tax, and Houston’s cost of living is lower than most major metros of comparable size. The combination of job opportunities, affordable housing, veteran healthcare access, and no state income tax makes Houston one of the top destinations for veterans and military families in the country.
VA Loan Benefits for Houston Homebuyers
VA loans give Houston military homebuyers advantages that conventional loans simply cannot match. Key benefits include:
Zero down payment — buy a home in Houston 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 Houston 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 Houston and the surrounding communities.
Who Qualifies for a VA Loan in Houston?
VA loan eligibility in Houston 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 Ellington Field, work at NASA Johnson Space Center, or you are a veteran who has settled in the Houston area, TrueVet Mortgage can help you determine your eligibility and get pre-approved.
Why Work with TrueVet Mortgage for Your Houston 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 challenges veterans face when buying a home — whether it is navigating post-service finances, using your VA loan benefit for the first time, or finding the right home in a market as large and spread out as Houston. 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.
TrueVet Mortgage also serves veterans across Texas, including San Antonio, Killeen, El Paso, 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 Houston VA loan.
Frequently Asked Questions About VA Loans in Houston
Can I use a VA loan to buy a home in Houston?
Yes. VA loans can be used to purchase a home anywhere in the Greater Houston area, including Clear Lake, League City, Pearland, Katy, Sugar Land, Cypress, Spring, Kingwood, and Webster. The home must be your primary residence.
Do I need a down payment for a VA loan in Houston?
No. VA loans require zero down payment regardless of the purchase price in Houston. This is one of the biggest advantages of the VA loan program.
How long does it take to close on a VA loan in Houston?
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 Houston. 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 Houston 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 Houston?
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 Katy or Clear Lake with a VA loan?
Yes. VA loans work anywhere in the Houston metro area, including Katy, Clear Lake, League City, Pearland, Sugar Land, Cypress, Spring, Kingwood, and Webster. 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.
TrueVet Mortgage also serves veterans across Texas, including San Antonio, Killeen, El Paso, Houston, Dallas, 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 Houston? 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.
