The VA loan's zero down payment benefit is one of the most valuable things the military benefit system offers. But the question of whether to actually use it — or whether putting some money down makes more sense in your specific situation — comes up constantly among military buyers in Colorado Springs.

Here's a straight answer: most VA buyers should go zero down. But there are specific situations where a down payment changes the math enough to be worth considering. This post covers both.

The Basic Answer: No, You Don't Need a Down Payment

The VA loan program does not require a down payment. That's true regardless of the purchase price, as long as you have full VA entitlement. There is no minimum contribution required from the buyer. You can…

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The PCS timeline doesn't wait for anyone. By the time most soldiers have confirmed orders to Fort Carson, they're already behind on housing decisions — trying to research Colorado Springs neighborhoods from a base in Georgia or Germany, with a report date six to eight weeks out.

The good news is that buying remotely is genuinely doable in 2026, and military buyers do it successfully near Fort Carson every cycle. The key is knowing which steps you can complete from anywhere and which ones actually require being here in person.

Start the VA Loan Pre-Approval First

Before you research a single neighborhood, get your VA loan pre-approval moving. This is entirely remote — your lender needs your DD214 or statement of service, LES, W-2s, and tax…

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Fort Campbell sits on the Kentucky-Tennessee state line, and most families assigned here end up living in Clarksville, Tennessee — not because it's technically on the Tennessee side, but because Clarksville has no state income tax on wages, a growing housing market, and enough space that your BAH actually goes somewhere.

This post breaks down the 2026 BAH rates for Fort Campbell, what those numbers buy in the main off-post communities, and how the VA loan fits into the picture if you're thinking about buying rather than renting during your tour.

Fort Campbell BAH Rates 2026

Fort Campbell uses the Fort Campbell, KY Military Housing Area for BAH calculations regardless of whether you live on the Tennessee or Kentucky side of the line. Rates…

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Fort Sill doesn't show up on most people's wish list. Orders to Lawton, Oklahoma tend to get a quiet sigh before the planning begins. But once you dig into the housing market here, the reaction usually shifts — because Fort Sill is one of the most affordable duty stations in the country, and the off-post neighborhoods are genuinely solid for military families who know where to look.

This post covers the four main areas where Fort Sill families settle off post: Lawton, Elgin, Cache, and Medicine Park. Each one has a different character, a different price point, and a different commute profile. Here's what you actually need to know.

Fort Sill BAH in 2026

Before getting into neighborhoods, the money picture matters. Fort Sill BAH rates for 2026…

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The VA funding fee is one of the most Googled VA loan questions — and one of the most misunderstood. Some people assume it's enormous and avoidable. Others assume it's unavoidable and plan around it. The reality is more nuanced than either.

Here's a straightforward breakdown of what the VA funding fee actually is in 2026, what you'll pay based on your specific situation, and — critically — who pays nothing at all.

What the VA Funding Fee Is

The VA funding fee is a one-time fee paid to the Department of Veterans Affairs on VA-backed purchase loans, refinances, and construction loans. It's not paid to your lender. It goes directly to the VA and helps fund the program for future generations of veterans — which is part of why VA loans don't require…

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One of the most common questions I hear from military buyers arriving at Fort Carson is some version of this: "I already used my VA loan at my last duty station. Do I have to sell that house before I can buy here?"

In most cases, no. You don't. But the answer depends on how much VA entitlement you have remaining, what your current home situation looks like, and what you're trying to buy in Colorado Springs. This post walks through how it actually works.

How VA Entitlement Works

Your VA loan benefit doesn't disappear after you use it once. The VA gives every eligible service member what's called entitlement — a guarantee to lenders that backs a portion of your loan. When you buy a home, you use some of that entitlement. When you sell and pay off…

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Fort Bragg is one of the largest military installations in the world, home to the XVIII Airborne Corps, the 82nd Airborne Division, and U.S. Army Special Operations Command. Located just west of Fayetteville, North Carolina, it's a high-volume PCS destination with one of the most affordable housing markets of any major Army post. If your orders are pointing to Bragg, here's what you need to know before you start looking at homes.

One quick note on the name: the installation was renamed Fort Liberty in June 2023, then officially reverted to Fort Bragg in February 2025 — now honoring World War II paratrooper Private First Class Roland L. Bragg, who earned the Silver Star and Purple Heart during the Battle of the Bulge. If your orders say Fort Liberty,…

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Orders to MacDill Air Force Base put you in Tampa Bay — one of the most sought-after duty stations in the Air Force. The weather is warm year-round, the beaches are close, and the mission at CENTCOM and SOCOM is as serious as it gets. The housing market, though, takes some navigation. Tampa Bay is competitive, traffic around the base is real, and knowing which neighborhoods work for your gate and your budget makes a significant difference in your daily quality of life.

This guide covers 2026 BAH rates, on-base housing, the neighborhoods military families consistently choose, and how to use your VA loan in the Tampa market.

MacDill AFB: What You're Walking Into

MacDill is located on a peninsula in southern Tampa, about eight miles south of…

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Buying a home in Colorado Springs is one of the more practical decisions you can make in this market right now — but the process has real steps, and skipping any of them costs you time or money. This guide walks through everything from financing to closing, with current numbers so you know what to expect in 2026.

What Homes Cost in Colorado Springs Right Now

The median sale price in Colorado Springs is around $450,000 as of mid-2026, roughly flat compared to a year ago. Homes are averaging 40–45 days on market, and inventory has roughly doubled compared to the peak years. You have more options and more time than buyers did in 2021 and 2022.

Prices vary significantly by area:

  • Fountain and Security-Widefield — $300,000–$380,000. Most…

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If you received PCS orders to Colorado Springs — or you've been stationed here for a while and are thinking about buying — this is a different market than it was two or three years ago. That's not a bad thing. For military buyers using a VA loan, the current conditions may actually be the best environment in years.

Here's what the numbers look like right now and how to use them.

Where Colorado Springs Prices Stand in 2026

The median sale price in Colorado Springs is hovering around $450,000, roughly flat compared to last year. What has changed is the pace. Homes are sitting on the market longer — around 40–45 days on average, compared to under 30 during the peak. Inventory has also increased significantly, with roughly twice as many homes…

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