07/18/2026
Veteran Homeownership Series: Sometimes the Biggest Savings Are the Benefits You Didn’t Know You Had
When I left active duty in 2010, I knew about the VA home loan—but I certainly didn't know everything about it.
In 2013, I purchased my first home, a multi-family property, using my VA loan with no money down. Like many veterans using the VA loan for the first time, I paid the VA funding fee—about $8,000 at the time.
That home turned out to be one of the best financial decisions I ever made. Over the years, the rental income covered nearly my entire mortgage payment, and when I eventually sold the property, I realized a significant gain.
A few years later, I started looking into my other VA benefits, particularly disability compensation. The process wasn't easy. I dealt with missing medical records, confusing requirements, and experiences that left me discouraged. At one point, I almost gave up.
Instead, I decided to learn the claims process myself.
After years of research, persistence, and plenty of trial and error, I successfully filed my own claim. That experience eventually led me to become a veteran advocate at work, helping others better understand the benefits they've earned.
Then something happened that completely surprised me.
Because my VA disability claim's intent to file was dated before I closed on my next home purchase, I qualified for a refund of the VA funding fee I had already paid at closing.
By then, because it was a subsequent use of my VA loan with no money down, that funding fee had grown to more than $20,000.
I received every dollar back.
If I had never taken the time to understand my VA benefits, I never would have known that refund was available.
That's one of the reasons I've chosen to specialize in working with veterans. There are incredible benefits available, but many are only useful if you know they exist and understand how they work.
Every veteran's situation is different, and not everyone qualifies for a funding fee exemption or refund. But asking questions, learning your benefits, and seeking good guidance can make an enormous financial difference.
Sometimes the most valuable veteran benefit isn't a new program—it's discovering one you've already earned.
Educational Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not legal, tax, or VA benefits advice. VA loan eligibility, funding fee exemptions, and refund rules depend on individual circumstances.
