VA Loan Occupancy Rules—What You Need to Know (Without the Jargon)
Thinking of using your VA loan benefits to buy a home? Smart move. VA loans are a fantastic way to get into a home with little to no down payment. But, like anything government-backed, there are a few rules to follow—especially when it comes to living in the home.
Don’t worry. We’ll keep it super simple.
The Basics: You’ve Gotta Live There
VA loans are for homes you’re going to live in—not vacation spots or rental properties. The home should be your primary residence, meaning it’s where you spend most of your time.
Move-In Deadline: 60 Days
After closing, the VA expects you to move in within 60 days. It’s their way of making sure the house is truly your home.
Life happens, though. If you're deployed, stationed elsewhere, or waiting on some fix-ups before you move in, you might be able to get a little wiggle room. Your lender can help you work through that—just keep them in the loop and be ready to show some paperwork.
How Long Do You Have to Stay?
There’s no set number of years. What matters is that you plan to live there when you buy. You can show this by:
Using the address on your driver's license or tax forms
Setting up your utilities and bills in your name at that address
Actually living there (yep, it’s that straightforward)
Can You Rent It Out Later?
You sure can—but only after you’ve lived in it yourself first. If you get orders to move, or life takes you elsewhere, you can rent the place out. The key is your original intent had to be to live there.
What About Multi-Unit Properties?
VA loans can also be used to buy a property with up to four units—as long as you live in one of them. You can live in one unit and rent out the others. It’s a smart way to build equity while covering some (or all) of your mortgage.
Quick & Simple Tips to Stay on the Right Side of the Rules
Tell your lender if you need extra time to move in.
Keep records if there’s a reason for delay (like deployment or renovations).
Use the home’s address for your bills, license, and official documents.
VA loan occupancy rules are there to protect the benefit—and they’re designed to be flexible when they need to be (especially for active-duty folks).
Want to see how your VA loan can work for you? Let’s make it easy. Reach out and we’ll walk you through it—no stress, no guesswork.