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Sonoma County is wine country — and it carries wine country prices. VA loans give eligible veterans a real edge here by eliminating the down payment entirely.
Without VA, most buyers need 5–20% down on a pricey Sonoma home. That's a six-figure barrier. VA removes it completely.
0%
Down Payment
620 typical
Min Credit Score
1.25%–3.3%
VA Funding Fee
None
PMI Required
No cap (full entitlement)
Loan Limit
VA Loans in Sonoma
You need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the VA. Active-duty, veterans, and surviving spouses can qualify — but service length requirements vary.
Most lenders want a 620 credit score minimum for VA loans. Debt-to-income ratio matters too — most lenders cap it at 41%, though exceptions exist.
Local decision guide
Use this guide to connect va loans eligibility, lender expectations, and local market factors before comparing payment options in Sonoma.
Sonoma County is wine country — and it carries wine country prices. VA loans give eligible veterans a real edge here by eliminating the down payment entirely.
Without VA, most buyers need 5–20% down on a pricey Sonoma home. That's a six-figure barrier. VA removes it completely.
You need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the VA. Active-duty, veterans, and surviving spouses can qualify — but service length requirements vary.
Not every lender handles VA loans well. Some process them rarely and slow your closing down. At SRK CAPITAL, we work with 200+ wholesale lenders — including VA specialists.
Shopping lenders matters on VA loans. Rates vary by lender even on government-backed products. Rates vary by borrower profile and market conditions.
VA appraisals are stricter than conventional ones. Sonoma's older wine-country homes sometimes have condition issues that flag VA appraisers. Know this before you make an offer.
The VA funding fee trips up a lot of borrowers. It runs 1.25–3.3% of the loan amount depending on your down payment and usage. Disabled veterans are often exempt — always check.
FHA requires 3.5% down and charges mortgage insurance for the life of the loan. VA requires zero down and no PMI — ever. For eligible borrowers, VA wins almost every time.
Conventional loans reward strong credit with low rates. But even a 740-score borrower pays PMI under 20% down. VA skips PMI entirely regardless of your equity position.
Sonoma's housing stock includes older Victorian and craftsman homes. These can fail VA minimum property requirements if roofs, foundations, or systems are in poor shape.
As of April 2026, Sonoma County remains a competitive seller's market. VA offers are sometimes viewed skeptically by sellers. A strong pre-approval letter from a VA-experienced broker helps change that.
Yes — eligible veterans can purchase with zero down in Sonoma. No loan amount cap applies for full entitlement borrowers.
Some sellers hesitate due to VA appraisal rules. A strong pre-approval and an experienced broker can address most objections.
It's a one-time fee of 1.25–3.3% added to your loan. Veterans with service-connected disabilities are typically exempt.
Not always. VA appraisers check for safety and habitability issues. Older homes with deferred maintenance often require repairs before closing.
VA has no PMI and no down payment requirement. For eligible borrowers, VA almost always costs less over the life of the loan.
Yes. There's no loan limit for veterans with full entitlement. Jumbo VA loans are available through several of our wholesale lenders.