Serving MacDill AFB, CENTCOM, SOCOM, and Tampa Bay military families. Scott Carlin, 20-year Air Force veteran and VA loan specialist (NMLS# 2613509). Call 321-364-4461.
Tampa is one of Florida‘s most military-connected cities, home to MacDill Air Force Base and the headquarters of both U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM). Thousands of active-duty service members, veterans, and military families live and work throughout the Tampa Bay area, and a VA loan is one of the best ways to buy a home here.
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 specializes in helping military families across the Tampa Bay area navigate the VA loan process from pre-approval to closing — typically in 21 to 30 days.
Tampa offers military families a unique combination of career opportunity, affordability, and quality of life. MacDill AFB sits on the southern tip of the Tampa peninsula, placing service members minutes from downtown Tampa, South Tampa, and the beaches of St. Petersburg and Clearwater.
Popular neighborhoods and nearby communities for military families include South Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, Valrico, Wesley Chapel, New Tampa, and Plant City. South Tampa offers walkable neighborhoods and proximity to MacDill’s main gate. Brandon and Riverview provide affordable housing with easy commutes. Wesley Chapel and New Tampa are popular for families looking for newer construction and top-rated schools.
The Tampa Bay economy extends well beyond the military. Major employers include the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital (one of the largest VA medical centers in the country), defense contractors like Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Raytheon, and Booz Allen Hamilton, as well as major corporations like USAA, T-Mobile, and Citigroup. Florida has no state income tax, which stretches your paycheck and BAH further.
Tampa’s combination of a strong job market, affordable housing relative to other major Florida metros, year-round warm weather, and a deep military community makes it one of the most popular duty stations — and retirement destinations — in the country.
VA loans give Tampa military homebuyers advantages that conventional loans simply cannot match. Key benefits include:
Zero down payment — buy a home in Tampa 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 Tampa 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 Tampa and the surrounding Tampa Bay communities.
VA loan eligibility in Tampa 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 stationed at MacDill AFB, working at CENTCOM or SOCOM, or you are a veteran who has settled in the Tampa Bay 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 of PCS moves, BAH-based budgeting, deployment timelines, and the urgency of finding a home in a new duty station area. He has walked the same path and knows what matters when you are buying a home near MacDill AFB.
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 Tampa VA loan.
Can I use a VA loan to buy a home in Tampa?
Yes. VA loans can be used to purchase a home anywhere in the Tampa Bay area, including South Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, Wesley Chapel, New Tampa, Valrico, and Plant City. The home must be your primary residence.
Do I need a down payment for a VA loan in Tampa?
No. VA loans require zero down payment regardless of the purchase price in Tampa. This is one of the biggest advantages of the VA loan program.
How long does it take to close on a VA loan in Tampa?
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 MacDill AFB using our BAH Calculator.
I am PCSing to MacDill AFB. Can I start the VA loan process before I arrive?
Yes. Scott regularly works with service members who are still at their current duty station. You can get pre-approved and start house hunting before your PCS, so you are ready to make an offer when you arrive in Tampa.
Can I buy a home in Brandon or Riverview with a VA loan?
Yes. VA loans work anywhere in the Tampa metro area, including Brandon, Riverview, Valrico, Wesley Chapel, New Tampa, Plant City, and St. Petersburg. 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 Tampa or the Tampa Bay 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 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 Tampa? Call or text 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.