Serving North Central Florida's growing veteran and military retiree community. Scott Carlin, 20-year Air Force veteran and VA loan specialist (NMLS# 2613509). Call 321-364-4461.
North Central Florida has become one of the fastest-growing destinations for veterans and military retirees in the entire country. The Villages, the largest age-restricted community in the United States, is home to one of the highest concentrations of veterans per capita of any community in Florida. Ocala and Marion County also have a large and growing veteran population drawn by affordable housing, a relaxed pace of life, and easy access to VA healthcare.
While there is no active military installation in the immediate area, the North Florida/South Georgia Veterans Health System and the Ocala VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic provide healthcare to thousands of local veterans. The region’s central location also offers reasonable driving distance to Patrick Space Force Base, MacDill AFB, and NAS Jacksonville.
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 retirees throughout the Ocala and Villages area navigate the VA loan process from pre-approval to closing — typically in 21 to 30 days.
Ocala and The Villages offer veterans something that is increasingly hard to find in Florida — affordable housing with a high quality of life, no state income tax, and a community where military service is respected and celebrated.
Popular communities for veterans include Ocala, The Villages, Belleview, Dunnellon, Crystal River, Inverness, Leesburg, Lady Lake, Summerfield, and Silver Springs. The Villages spans three counties and offers an active adult lifestyle with golf, recreation, entertainment, and a massive veteran community including dozens of military-affiliated clubs and organizations. Ocala is the heart of Marion County with a mix of suburban neighborhoods, horse country estates, and affordable starter homes. Belleview and Summerfield south of Ocala offer some of the most affordable housing in the region. Dunnellon, Crystal River, and Inverness along the Nature Coast provide a quieter, more rural lifestyle with access to springs, rivers, and Gulf fishing.
The local economy is driven by healthcare, agriculture, equestrian industries, retail, and a growing logistics sector. Major employers include AdventHealth Ocala, Munroe Regional Medical Center, the Marion County School District, AutoZone distribution, FedEx Ground, and Dollar Tree’s distribution center. The cost of living in Marion and Sumter counties is well below the state average, and home prices remain among the most affordable in Florida.
For veterans on a fixed income — including VA disability compensation, military retirement pay, or Social Security — Ocala and The Villages offer purchasing power that is hard to match anywhere else in the state. A VA loan with zero down payment makes homeownership even more accessible.
VA loans give Ocala and Villages military homebuyers advantages that conventional loans simply cannot match. Key benefits include:
Zero down payment — buy a home in Ocala or The Villages 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 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 (VA-approved), townhomes, and multi-unit properties (up to four units) in Ocala, The Villages, and the surrounding North Central Florida communities. Many homes in The Villages are eligible for VA financing, though some deed-restricted properties may have specific requirements that Scott can help you navigate.
VA loan eligibility in Ocala and The Villages 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.
VA disability compensation and military retirement pay both count as qualifying income. Because these income sources are tax-free, lenders can gross them up by 25%, significantly increasing your buying power. Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 10% or higher are also exempt from the VA funding fee, saving thousands of dollars at closing.
Whether you are retiring to The Villages, relocating to Ocala, or settling anywhere in North Central Florida, 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 financial picture of military retirees — from navigating VA disability income and retirement pay to maximizing your buying power with tax-free income gross-up. Whether you are purchasing your forever home in The Villages or buying your first home after separating from service in Ocala, Scott provides the same hands-on, veteran-level service.
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 Florida, including the Space Coast, Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando, Fort Walton Beach, Pensacola, and Miami.
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 VA loan.
Can I use a VA loan to buy a home in The Villages?
Yes. Many homes in The Villages are eligible for VA loan financing. However, some properties in The Villages have unique deed restrictions or recreation lease structures that may require additional review. Scott can help you determine if a specific property qualifies for a VA loan.
Do I need a down payment for a VA loan in Ocala?
No. VA loans require zero down payment regardless of the purchase price in Ocala or The Villages. This is one of the biggest advantages of the VA loan program.
How long does it take to close on a VA loan in Ocala?
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 military retirement pay to qualify for a VA loan?
Yes. Military retirement pay counts as qualifying income for a VA loan. Because retirement pay is tax-free at the federal level for many retirees receiving VA disability compensation, lenders may be able to gross it up by 25%, increasing your buying power.
Can I use my VA disability income to qualify for a VA loan?
Yes. VA disability compensation counts as qualifying income. It is tax-free and can be grossed up by 25% for qualification purposes. Veterans with a disability rating of 10% or higher are also exempt from the VA funding fee.
I am retired military. Is it too late to use my VA loan benefit?
No. Your VA loan benefit does not expire. Whether you retired last year or 20 years ago, you can still use your VA loan benefit to purchase a primary residence. Scott can help you obtain your Certificate of Eligibility and check your remaining entitlement.
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 Ocala, The Villages, or North Central Florida 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 Florida, including the Panhandle, Tampa, Jacksonville, Orlando and Miami.
Visit our VA Loan FAQ for answers to common questions
Look up your 2026 BAH rate for any Florida military installation with our free BAH Calculator.
Ready to Buy a Home in Ocala or The Villages? 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.