VA loans are guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The purpose of the VA home loan program is to help veterans finance the purchase of a home with no down payment and favorable loan terms. To qualify for a VA loan you must: be an eligible veteran who has available loan entitlement; the loan must be for an eligible purpose; you must occupy the property as your home within a reasonable period after closing; the income of the veteran and the spouse, if any, must be sufficient to meet the new mortgage payment, cover the costs of owning a home, take care of other obligations and expenses and have enough left over for family support; and you must have good credit. They provide eligible veterans mortgage loans with no down payment and more lenient underwriting guidelines.