Editorial Policy

Who writes the content

Every guide and calculator on VA Loan Calculator is written and maintained by Dylan Castro. I am not a lender, a loan officer or a financial adviser, and I do not sell loans or collect contact details for lenders. My job here is to explain the VA home loan rules accurately and to turn them into tools you can use before you talk to a lender.

Sources we rely on

We only state a rule, rate or limit when it can be traced to a primary source. In order of preference:

• VA.gov and benefits.va.gov, including the funding fee schedule, eligibility rules, entitlement and loan limits, and the IRRRL and cash-out refinance pages.
• The VA Lenders Handbook (VA Pamphlet 26-7), which lenders use to underwrite VA loans, for topics such as residual income, debt-to-income ratio and credit.
• HUD and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for FHA rules and general mortgage information used in comparisons.

Each guide lists its sources at the bottom of the page, with links, so you can check them yourself. The formulas and official figures used by the calculators are listed on How we calculate.

How we write and check

• Facts first. Rules are summarized in plain English and attributed to the source, for example "the VA says". Where lenders can add their own requirements, we say so instead of presenting one lender's rule as a VA rule.
• Worked examples are calculated, not guessed. The numbers in our tables are computed with the same formulas as our calculators. Any figure that is an assumption, such as a property tax amount or closing cost, is labeled as one.
• Calculators are tested against the examples published by the VA and HUD, such as the funding fee rates for each down payment tier.
• Writing tools. Drafts may be prepared with the help of writing software, including AI tools. Nothing is published until every rule, number and link has been checked by me against the cited source.

Updates and review dates

Each guide shows the month it was last reviewed against official sources. We re-check the guides when the VA changes a rule or a rate, such as the funding fee schedule or loan limits, and review every page at least once a quarter.

Corrections

If you find a mistake, please tell us and include the page and what you believe is wrong. We check every report, correct confirmed errors as quickly as possible and update the review date on the page.

Independence and how the site is funded

VA Loan Calculator is independent. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or any lender. The site is free to use and is supported by display advertising served by Google AdSense. Advertisers have no influence over what we write, and we do not accept payment to mention or recommend a lender.

What our content is not

Our guides and calculators are educational. They are not legal, tax or financial advice, and they are not a loan offer. Your lender's Loan Estimate and the VA are the final word on your loan.

Last updated: November 1, 2026.