VA home loans
You earned this. Let's not waste it.
A VA loan is a home loan backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs for eligible veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and some surviving spouses. It usually needs no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance. I handle VA loans in Hawaiʻi, Nevada and California, from your Certificate of Eligibility to closing.
By Georg F. Thoma, Senior Loan Officer · NMLS 312260 · Updated
What's actually true
Most people who qualify for a VA loan never use one — usually because of something they heard that isn't true.
No down payment.
More than two-thirds of veterans believe one is required. It isn't.
No monthly mortgage insurance.
Three in four don't know this. It's the single biggest saving versus FHA or conventional.
No loan limit with full entitlement.
In Hawaiʻi, where the average VA loan is the highest in the country, that matters more than anywhere else.
Competitive rates and limited closing costs.
Guaranteed by law.
Who it's for
- Active duty
- Veterans
- National Guard and Reserve
- Some surviving spouses
If you're not sure you're eligible, the first call sorts that out — it takes ten minutes.
How I handle VA files
I've closed VA loans across all three states. I'll pull your Certificate of Eligibility, explain the funding fee (and whether you're exempt), and make sure the appraisal doesn't derail things on a Hawaiʻi property.
Using your VA loan on Maui
Maui prices and your entitlement.
With full entitlement there's no VA loan limit, so a Maui price doesn't cap what you can borrow with nothing down. If part of your entitlement is tied to another VA loan, the county limit applies. Your Certificate of Eligibility tells us which case you're in.
Condos need an approved building.
The VA approves condo projects, not single units, and many Maui buildings aren't on the list. Send me the address before you make an offer. Condotel units are a different loan; see condotels.
Leasehold can work.
Some Maui homes sit on leased land. The VA can finance them when the lease runs long enough past the end of the loan. I read the lease at the start, so it doesn't hold up closing.
The appraisal, island style.
A VA appraiser checks the home is safe, sound and free of termite damage. On island homes that means a close look at wood, roofs and water. I flag the usual issues before the appraiser does.
Moving to Maui after you served
PCS orders to Hawaiʻi, retiring here, or coming home: you can start the loan before you arrive. The home has to become your primary residence, and the VA generally expects you to move in within about 60 days. We do everything by phone or video call, wherever you're stationed.
Common questions
Still stuck? Call Georg at (808) 357-9791
Do I need a down payment for a VA loan?
Usually not. With full entitlement, a VA loan can cover the whole purchase price. You'll still have closing costs, and I'll show you which of them the seller can help with.
Is there a VA loan limit in Maui County?
Not with full entitlement. Since 2020 the VA sets no loan limit for borrowers with full entitlement, so Maui prices don't cap what you can borrow with no money down. If part of your entitlement is still tied to another VA loan, the county limit applies and you may need a down payment on the difference.
Can I use a VA loan to buy a condo on Maui?
Yes, if the building is VA-approved. The VA approves condo projects, not single units, and many Maui buildings aren't on the list. Send me the address before you make an offer and I'll check it. Condotel units usually don't qualify and need a different loan.
Can I use a VA loan on leasehold land in Hawaiʻi?
Often, yes. The VA can finance a home on leased land when the lease runs long enough past the end of the loan and its terms pass the VA's review. I read the lease at the start, so it doesn't hold up your closing.
Can I buy on Maui with a VA loan before I move here?
Yes. The home has to become your primary residence, and the VA generally expects you to move in within about 60 days. PCS orders or a retirement date help show that. We can do the whole loan by phone or video call from wherever you're stationed.
Do I pay the VA funding fee if I have a disability rating?
No, not if you receive VA disability compensation. Those veterans are exempt, along with some others. Your Certificate of Eligibility shows whether you are. If you're not, the fee is one-time and can be rolled into the loan.
Your loan officer
Georg Thoma
Senior Loan Officer · NMLS 312260 · Licensed in Hawaiʻi, Nevada & California · English & Deutsch
Kamaʻaina Mortgage Group is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Veterans Affairs or any government agency.