Question 1

What credit score do I need for a VA loan in Killeen, TX?

Accepted Answer

The VA itself sets no minimum credit score, but lenders typically require 580 to 620. As a broker with access to 50+ lenders, we can often find VA loan options for scores below what retail banks accept, including manual underwriting for scores down to 550 with strong compensating factors.

Question 2

Can I use a VA loan to buy new construction near Fort Hood?

Accepted Answer

Yes. VA loans can be used for new construction purchases near Fort Hood. We also offer VA One-Time Close construction loans, which let you lock your permanent interest rate before the build starts — zero down, one closing, no re-qualification at completion.

Question 3

How long does a VA loan take to close in Killeen, TX?

Accepted Answer

With complete documentation, VA loans typically close in 21 to 30 days. If you have PCS orders with a hard report date, we build the timeline backward from your deadline. Every file is built to hit hard PCS report dates.

Question 4

What is the VA funding fee and can I roll it into my loan?

Accepted Answer

The VA funding fee is a one-time fee ranging from 1.25% to 3.3% of the loan amount depending on your down payment, loan type, and whether it is your first VA loan use. It can be rolled into the loan balance so you pay nothing out of pocket at closing. Veterans with a service-connected disability rating have the funding fee waived entirely.

Question 5

Does my BAH count as income for VA loan qualification?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is considered non-taxable income and counts toward your qualifying income for a VA loan. Because it is non-taxable, lenders can gross it up by 25% when calculating your debt-to-income ratio, which increases your buying power compared to the same dollar amount of taxable pay.

Question 6

Can I use a VA loan if I have used it before?

Accepted Answer

Yes. VA entitlement is reusable as long as your previous VA loan has been paid off or the entitlement has been restored. If you still have an active VA loan on another property, your remaining entitlement may cover a new purchase in Killeen at current price points. We calculate your available entitlement during our first conversation.

Question 7

What is the VA loan limit for Bell County, Texas?

Accepted Answer

The VA loan limit for Bell County, Texas is $832,750 in 2026 — well above any Killeen or Fort Hood corridor price point. Veterans with full entitlement have no VA-imposed loan limit, meaning there is no maximum purchase price as long as you qualify based on income and credit.

Question 8

What is the Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) loan and how is it different from a federal VA loan?

Accepted Answer

The Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) offers a separate below-market interest rate program exclusively for Texas veterans. It is different from the federal VA loan guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Both programs can sometimes be used together. The VLB Veterans Housing Assistance Program provides below-market rates on home loans up to $726,200 for eligible Texas veterans.

Question 9

Does a 100% VA disability rating affect my property taxes in Texas?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A 100% service-connected disability rating qualifies you for a full property tax exemption on your Texas primary residence, eliminating your entire property tax liability. On a median Killeen home this saves $3,900 to $4,900 per year. File with Bell County Appraisal District after closing using your VA award letter — it does not apply automatically.

Question 10

What is the difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval for a VA loan?

Accepted Answer

Pre-qualification is an estimate based on self-reported information and carries no weight with sellers. Pre-approval means your income, credit, and assets have been verified and a fully underwritten letter is issued. In the Fort Hood market, sellers require the latter. Keys by Shalanda issues fully underwritten pre-approvals.

A mortgage should feel clear.

No rushing.

No guessing.

No one-size-fits-all.

“Shalanda went above and beyond to ensure I received the best possible outcome. It was clear she genuinely cared about helping me make the right decisions, not just closing a deal.”

Learn. Plan. Apply.

Learn

Plan

Apply

More options. Less noise.

VA Loans

Self-Employed & Investors

Physician Loans

Strategy before sales.

Let’s make the mortgage make sense.