Once you know you're eligible for a VA loan, the next big question is: how much can you actually borrow? The answer lies in understanding your VA entitlement. It’s one of the most misunderstood parts of the VA loan process, but it’s critical to knowing your purchasing power—and making the most of your benefits.
In this post, we’ll break down what VA entitlement means, how it affects your loan amount, and how to use it effectively.
What Is VA Entitlement?
Entitlement is the amount the Department of Veterans Affairs will guarantee on your behalf to a lender. It's not the loan amount itself—it's the VA’s promise to the lender that a portion of the loan will be repaid if you default.
There are two types of entitlement:
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Basic Entitlement – Usually $36,000
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Bonus (or Second-Tier) Entitlement – Used when the loan amount exceeds $144,000 or when you’ve used part of your entitlement already
Most veterans in South Florida will rely on bonus entitlement due to higher home prices.
How Entitlement Affects How Much You Can Borrow
Your entitlement helps determine how much you can borrow with no down payment. While there’s technically no limit to how much you can borrow using a VA loan, there is a limit to how much the VA will guarantee. Lenders often follow conforming loan limits set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA).
In 2025, the conforming loan limit for most of South Florida is $766,550. This means you can often borrow up to that amount without a down payment if you have full entitlement available.
How to Check Your Entitlement Status
Your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) shows whether you have full or partial entitlement available. If you’ve used a VA loan before, your entitlement may be tied up in that property until you:
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Sell the home and pay off the loan
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Refinance the VA loan into a non-VA loan
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Apply for restoration of entitlement through the VA
Using Entitlement for a Second VA Loan
You can have more than one VA loan at a time in certain circumstances. For example, if you had to relocate for work or are buying a second home as your new primary residence, you might be able to use your remaining entitlement.
In these cases, your lender will calculate the maximum VA loan amount you qualify for based on the entitlement you still have and the local loan limits.
What If You Don’t Have Full Entitlement?
Even with partial entitlement, you may still be able to purchase a home with little to no down payment. Your lender will determine how much the VA will back on your next loan—and calculate if a down payment is needed.
Tip: Many veterans don’t realize they can still use their VA benefit again even after a foreclosure, as long as they have remaining entitlement or can restore it.
Final Thoughts
Understanding your VA entitlement is key to unlocking your full homebuying potential. Whether it’s your first time using a VA loan or you're reusing the benefit, knowing how entitlement works empowers you to make smarter financial decisions.
As part of the Compass Military Division, I’m proud to work alongside veterans and military spouses who are passionate about helping our community thrive. We’ll make sure your entitlement works for you—not against you.
I’m Celia Ruiz, your South Florida Regional Director, and it’s my mission to help you navigate every step of your VA home loan journey.
Stay tuned for our next post: "The Pre-Approval Process – Getting Ready to House Hunt."
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