A veteran helping veterans.
I'm a US Army veteran, and VA loans hold a personal significance for me. I've seen how this benefit can change lives — zero down payment, no private mortgage insurance, and competitive interest rates. It's one of the best financial tools available to those who have served.
But here's the thing: not every lender understands VA loans, and not every loan officer takes the time to explain how they work. I do. Because I know what it means to serve, and I believe every veteran deserves an advisor who will go to bat for them.
Jeff Wen Mortgage Broker Inc. is certified as a Veteran-Owned Business by the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs.
Want to see what that looks like in practice? Read how I helped a Washougal veteran use two VA loans at once to buy acreage next door to his parents — covering the down payment with a HELOC on his existing home, and closing both loans in 30 days.
What makes VA loans different
| Feature | VA Loan | Conventional Loan |
|---|---|---|
| Down Payment | 0% | 3–20% |
| PMI | None | Required if < 20% down |
| Interest Rates | Typically lower | Market rates |
| Funding Fee | 1.25–3.3% (waived for disabled vets) | N/A |
| Credit Requirements | More flexible | Stricter |
| Closing Costs | Up to 4% in concessions, plus customary closing costs | Seller can contribute 3-6% |
Who qualifies for a VA loan?
Eligibility comes down to how and when you served. You likely qualify if any one of these describes you:
- •Active duty, wartime: 90 consecutive days
- •Active duty, peacetime: 181 consecutive days
- •Currently serving: 90 continuous days of active duty
- •National Guard or Reserves — three separate paths: 90 consecutive days of Title 10 active duty, OR 90 cumulative days of full-time Title 32 duty with at least 30 consecutive, OR six creditable years in the Selected Reserve with an honorable discharge or placement on the retired list
- •Discharged for a service-connected disability: shorter service periods can still qualify
- •Surviving spouses: if your spouse died in the line of duty or from a service-connected disability
A note on that Title 32 path, because it's where I see veterans wrongly assume they don't qualify. Until January 2021, most Guard members needed six years. The Isakson-Roe Act added the 90-day Title 32 route, and it applies retroactively. If you were activated for COVID response, a wildfire or flood mission, or another state emergency, those orders may count — even if it was years ago, and even if you're still drilling. What matters is the funding authority on your orders, not the mission itself.
If someone told you before that you don't qualify, it's worth checking again. Send me your DD-214 or NGB-22 and I'll pull your Certificate of Eligibility.
Buying locally? Clark County has a significant veteran population — see my dedicated pages on buying with a VA loan in Vancouver, WA and Camas, WA.
Benefits for disabled veterans
If you have a VA disability rating of 10% or higher, your VA funding fee is completely waived — saving you thousands of dollars at closing. This is one of the most significant financial advantages available, and many veterans don't even know about it.
Using your VA benefit in Clark County
Zero down and no PMI work the same everywhere. What changes by market is how the loan behaves in practice — and Clark County has a few specifics worth knowing before you write an offer.
The VA appraisal isn't only a value check
Every VA loan requires an appraisal confirming the home meets VA Minimum Property Requirements — safe, sound, and sanitary. In this county that usually comes down to three things: peeling exterior paint on pre-1978 homes, common in older Vancouver and Washougal neighborhoods; roof condition; and private water and septic.
Wells and septic in east county
If you're looking in Yacolt, Amboy, Brush Prairie, or unincorporated areas around Battle Ground, there's a real chance the property is on a private well and septic system. VA has specific requirements for both, including water testing. It's completely workable — but it adds steps, and it's the kind of thing that derails a closing when nobody planned for it. I plan for it.
Your offer isn't weaker because it's VA
Some listing agents in this market still treat VA offers as riskier. That reputation is out of date. What makes an offer competitive is a lender who picks up the phone and closes on schedule. If it helps your offer get taken seriously, I'll talk to the listing agent directly.
Property taxes affect what you qualify for
Washington runs a property tax exemption program for qualifying disabled veterans, administered county by county. I'm not a tax advisor and won't pretend to be — but property taxes flow through your escrow and change the payment you qualify for, so it's worth calling the Clark County Assessor's office before you settle on a number. Most lenders never bring this up.
The VA loan process with Jeff
Free consultation
We talk about your goals and I verify your eligibility
I pull your COE
Usually same day
Pre-approval
You know exactly what you can afford
House hunting
I coordinate with your agent and answer questions as they come up
Loan processing
I handle the paperwork and keep you posted at every step. Nothing goes quiet.
Closing day
You sign with confidence and pick up the keys
What veteran clients say
Jeff, Tania, and the rest of their team are a joy to work with. Welcoming and attentive through the entire process, they brought clarity and confidence to our home purchase in Clark County, WA. We used a VA loan, and they handled every step with professionalism, patience, and excellent communication.
Daniel B.
VA Loan · Clark County, WA