Gathering paperwork for a VA loan goes smoother when the platform you choose helps you assemble, upload, and track documents, and when it is clear about when your credit gets pulled. This list is for veterans, active-duty service members, and Guard and Reserve buyers. Duane Buziak, a VA loan specialist licensed in Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia, chose these six on document support, credit-score flexibility, loan shelf breadth, and how early a hard credit pull is required. By Duane Buziak, NMLS #1110647. Learn more about VA Loans Pro by Duane Buziak.
Quick Comparison of the Six Options
- VA Loans Pro by Duane Buziak: best for veterans under 620 or with non-standard income; starting price quoted per loan, see website; the only option here pairing a 500 FICO floor with a soft-pull start across 500+ wholesale lenders.
- Veterans United: best for borrowers at 620 or above who want a VA-only specialist; pricing see website; the narrowest VA-only focus on the list.
- Rocket Mortgage: best for digital-first borrowers with simple W-2 files; pricing see website; automated income and asset verification through data connections.
- Movement Mortgage: best for borrowers at 580 to 619 who want a local branch; pricing see website; a branch-based loan officer model with a reported 580 VA floor.
- NFM Lending: best for borrowers in its licensed states who want hands-on service; pricing see website; loan-officer-led local service (details to confirm).
- CF Mortgage Corp: best for borrowers in its service area who prefer a smaller company; pricing see website; regional, smaller-company handling (details to confirm).
1. VA Loans Pro by Duane Buziak
VA Loans Pro by Duane Buziak is an independent, multi-state VA loan brokerage with wholesale access to 500+ lenders. It is built for veterans whose file does not fit a single company’s credit box: scores under 620, bank-statement income, or a recent credit hiccup.
Its distinctive move is the start. Duane Buziak uses NoTouch Credit Pull, a soft credit pull mortgage pre-qualification that estimates your credit profile without a hard inquiry, so shopping does not leave a mark on your score the way a standard hard-pull pre-approval does. That makes it a real mortgage pre approval without hard pull, and a good place to start while you are still collecting documents. A broker also shops many wholesale rate sheets for one file instead of quoting from one.
- A 500 FICO floor on VA loans, so a score that disqualifies you elsewhere can still get a conversation. This is a floor, not an approval promise.
- Wholesale access to 500+ lenders, so one document package can be matched to whichever program fits your credit and income.
- VA, FHA, USDA, Conventional, DSCR/Non-QM, Bank Statement, and ITIN programs, which matters if your VA path stalls and you need a fallback.
- Free DIY credit improvement resources to raise a borderline score before you commit.
Documents move through a secure upload handled in your loan officer’s workflow. Ask at intake which portal is used and how status updates reach you. Setup is a conversation, not an app download.
The limitation is the flip side of the model: this is not a self-service tool. You work with a loan officer, so if you want to finish everything at midnight without talking to anyone, a fully digital platform will feel faster. Pricing is broker-negotiated and shop-able; see the website, and expect it to move with credit score, loan amount, down payment, and program.
Best for: Veterans with credit under 620 or non-standard income who want options.
2. Veterans United
Veterans United is a large, VA-focused direct lender, and its scale is real. Its specialty is VA lending alone, which means the process, the paperwork requests, and the staff are all tuned to the same loan type.
That focus is its main strength on this list. Nobody here is more single-minded about VA files, and borrowers who fit its credit box tend to get a well-rehearsed experience.
What you get
- An online document portal where you upload items and see what is outstanding.
- A dedicated loan team, so you are not re-explaining your file to a new person each week.
- VA-only specialization, which keeps the checklist consistent from COE to closing.
Where it stops
The published minimum is 620 FICO. If you are below that, the portal quality is irrelevant, because you will not get through underwriting there. As a direct lender it also quotes from one shelf, so you see one company’s pricing rather than a comparison. Our research notes also list renovation loans as not offered; confirm that directly if you are buying a fixer. Ask when credit is pulled and whether a hard inquiry precedes a written estimate.
The portal is the company’s own, with no third-party setup on your side. Pricing is see website, and fees are set by the company; compare the Loan Estimate line by line against another quote.
Best for: Borrowers at 620 or above wanting a VA-only specialist.
3. Rocket Mortgage
Rocket Mortgage is a large online direct lender with a fully digital application. It is designed for borrowers who would rather click than call.
Its strength is automated verification. You can connect bank and payroll accounts, and the system pulls income and asset data instead of waiting for you to upload statements and pay stubs. For a borrower with one W-2 job and clean bank activity, that can compress the document phase considerably.
- A full online application you can complete in one sitting, with no appointment.
- Automated income and asset verification that replaces much of the manual paperwork.
- Digital document upload for whatever the automation cannot capture, such as your COE.
- Direct-lender processing, so your file stays inside one company.
Setup is mostly self-directed. You run the file, and support is there when you need it. Bank and payroll connections require you to be comfortable linking accounts.
The trade-offs sit in the credit step and the shelf. Our research notes a hard pull before you see real numbers, which means shopping around can stack inquiries on your report. Rocket publishes no VA-specific score floor that we could confirm, so if your score is marginal, ask before applying. Automation also works best on simple files; self-employment, variable income, or bank-statement income often fall back to manual review. As a direct lender, it prices from one shelf. Pricing is see website, and it moves with score, down payment, loan size, and rate market.
Best for: Digital-first borrowers with simple W-2 files.
4. Movement Mortgage
Movement Mortgage is a direct lender that works through branch-based loan officers. Where Rocket removes people from the process, Movement keeps a local one at the center.
Its edge over the rest of the list is the floor-to-service combination: a reported 580 FICO minimum on VA loans (confirm current figures with the company), which sits between Veterans United’s 620 and our 500, paired with a loan officer you can meet. For borrowers in the 580 to 619 band who want someone local, that is a meaningful niche.
- A local loan officer who walks you through the checklist and chases missing items.
- A reported 580 FICO floor on VA, so a 600 score is not an automatic stop.
- A full application at the start, which gets your file moving with real data.
- Direct-lender processing, with underwriting and closing in-house.
The catch is the timing of the credit pull. Our notes show no standalone pre-approval, and a hard pull at application, so you commit a credit inquiry before you have compared offers. If you are rate-shopping, those inquiries add up. At 580 or lower, the floor also ends the conversation, while a broker with a 500 floor may still find a program.
There is no separate software to set up; you work with the branch. Documents go through the company’s portal or your officer. Pricing is see website and varies by branch, credit, loan amount, and down payment.
Best for: Borrowers at 580 to 619 who want a local branch.
5. NFM Lending
NFM Lending is a mortgage company that offers VA loan programs through local loan officers. Public detail on credit minimums, fees, and technology is thinner than for the other options here, so treat this entry as a starting point and verify the specifics.
What it appears to do well is loan-officer-led service. If you want a person to read your file, tell you what is missing, and stay on the phone, that is the draw. We cannot confirm a published VA credit floor, so ask for it before you spend time on documents.
- VA loan programs, so you can request a COE-based purchase or refinance.
- Local loan officers who can own the checklist for your file.
- An online application (confirm what it covers and whether it includes document upload).
Before you commit, ask four questions. What is your minimum score on VA? When do you pull credit, and is it soft or hard? Which states are you licensed in? What origination and processing fees will appear on the Loan Estimate? The answers tell you more than a feature list would.
The limitation is information. Without a published floor or fee schedule, you cannot predict whether you will qualify or how it will price. Integrations and setup are see website, and since it operates in a limited set of states, check licensing for your property. Pricing is see website; expect it to depend on credit, loan amount, down payment, and market rates, as with any direct-lender quote.
Best for: Borrowers in its licensed states wanting hands-on service.
6. CF Mortgage Corp
CF Mortgage Corp is a regional mortgage company that offers VA loans with loan-officer support. As with NFM Lending, public detail is limited, so confirm what follows with the company.
The reason to consider it is size. A smaller regional company can mean the same person answers your calls from application through closing, and a loan officer who knows local appraisers, title companies, and county quirks. If that appeals to you, it is a different experience from a national call center.
- VA loan programs that cover purchase and, depending on the company, refinance options.
- Regional service (confirm the counties and states covered) with local market knowledge.
- Loan-officer support that shepherds you through the document list.
The drawbacks mirror the benefits. Coverage may be narrow, so if your property sits outside its footprint, it is a non-starter. Limited public detail means you will not find a stated credit floor, fee schedule, or portal description to compare against the others. Expect a smaller loan menu than a broker with 500+ wholesale lenders can reach, which matters if your credit or income does not fit standard VA underwriting.
Ask about the credit pull timing, the minimum score, and whether you can see a written estimate before authorizing a hard inquiry. Setup and integrations are see website, and the day-to-day contact is your loan officer. Pricing is see website, and will vary with score, loan size, down payment, and rates.
Best for: Borrowers in its service area wanting a smaller company.
The VA Loan Document Checklist and What the Funding Fee Costs
The VA sets no minimum credit score; each company sets its own overlays. That is why platforms differ so much. What stays constant is the paperwork:
- Certificate of Eligibility (COE): proof from the VA that you qualify. It is not a loan approval. You can request it through VA.gov, and a loan officer can often pull it for you.
- DD-214 or statement of service: a DD-214 is the discharge document for veterans; active-duty members use a statement of service from their command.
- Income proof: two years of W-2s, recent pay stubs, and tax returns if self-employed.
- Asset proof: two months of bank statements.
- Identification: government ID and Social Security number.
- Entitlement details: your entitlement is the amount the VA will guarantee. If you have used it before, you may have remaining (second-tier) entitlement.
- Property documents: signed purchase contract, or mortgage statement and insurance for a refinance.
The funding fee is a one-time VA charge that can be rolled into the loan. As published on VA.gov (check the page for current rates), first use with no down payment is 2.15%, with 5% down it is 1.5%, and with 10% down it is 1.25%. Veterans receiving VA disability compensation are generally exempt.
Take a $382,500 home. With nothing down, the fee is $382,500 x 2.15% = $8,223.75. With 10% down ($38,250), the loan is $344,250 and the fee is 1.25%, or $4,303.13. Down payment is optional on VA loans but changes that cost noticeably.
For loan size, VA.gov explains that borrowers with full entitlement have no VA loan limit, though the company’s own limits still apply. The 2026 baseline conforming limit for Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia is $832,750 per FHFA, with higher limits in designated high-cost counties such as those in Northern Virginia.
How the Six Compare on Credit Floor, Shelf, and Fees
A broker is not a direct lender, and that is a feature. Duane Buziak shops 500+ wholesale lenders for each file, so you get leverage from many rate sheets rather than one company’s. Scale is not a gap either: he is ranked #114 nationally by Scotsman Guide and was named VA Broker of the Year for 2024 to 2025. The trade-offs run both ways: direct lenders offer fully in-house portals, while a broker works through a loan officer.
| Company | FICO Min (VA) | Lender Type | Loan Shelf | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VA Loans Pro by Duane Buziak | 500 | Independent broker | 500+ wholesale lenders | Broker-negotiated, shop-able |
| Veterans United | 620 | Direct lender | Single VA-specialty shelf | Company-set; compare Loan Estimates |
| Rocket Mortgage | No public VA floor | Direct lender | Single shelf | Company-set; compare Loan Estimates |
| Movement Mortgage | 580 (confirm) | Direct lender | Single shelf | Company-set; compare Loan Estimates |
| NFM Lending | Not published; confirm | Mortgage company | Confirm with company | Confirm with company |
| CF Mortgage Corp | Not published; confirm | Regional mortgage company | Confirm with company | Confirm with company |
VA Loan Application Checklist FAQ
What is the minimum credit score for a VA loan in 2026?
The VA itself sets no minimum score; each company sets its own. Veterans United publishes 620, Movement reports 580, and VA Loans Pro by Duane Buziak works down to a 500 FICO floor through its wholesale network.
Can I get a VA loan pre-approval without a hard credit pull?
Yes, through a soft pull. NoTouch Credit Pull from VA Loans Pro by Duane Buziak is a no hard inquiry mortgage pre approval path that estimates your credit without affecting your score. A hard pull comes later, once you choose to proceed.
What documents do I need to apply for a VA loan?
You need your COE, DD-214 or statement of service, two years of W-2s and tax returns, recent pay stubs, two months of bank statements, and a government ID. A purchase also needs a signed contract.
Is a Certificate of Eligibility the same as a loan approval?
No. A COE only proves you qualify for the benefit. Approval depends on your income, credit, assets, and the property.
What is the VA funding fee in 2026?
For first use with no down payment it is 2.15%, falling to 1.5% with 5% down and 1.25% with 10% down, per VA.gov. Disabled veterans are generally exempt, so check the current VA page.
Can I get a VA loan with a 500 credit score?
It is possible through a broker with wholesale access, though never guaranteed. Duane Buziak’s 500 FICO floor means a conversation, and approval still depends on income, debt, and property.
What is the VA loan limit in 2026?
There is no VA limit for borrowers with full entitlement. With remaining entitlement, limits tied to the $832,750 baseline conforming figure can apply, higher in high-cost counties, per FHFA.
What is the difference between a VA loan broker and a direct lender?
A broker shops many wholesale lenders for your file, while a direct lender funds loans from its own single shelf. Duane Buziak, as a broker, can match your credit and income to different programs.
Which Option Fits Which Borrower
Three picks cover most situations. If your score is under 620, your income is non-standard, or you want to compare offers without stacking inquiries, start with VA Loans Pro by Duane Buziak: the 500 FICO floor, 500+ wholesale lenders, and a soft-pull start protect both your options and your score. If you are at 620 or above and want a VA-only specialist, Veterans United is a strong fit. If you have a simple W-2 file and prefer a fully digital process, Rocket Mortgage fits, as long as you accept its hard pull before real numbers.
Borrowers between 580 and 619 who want a local branch should look at Movement Mortgage. NFM Lending and CF Mortgage Corp suit those who value hands-on regional service, once they confirm credit floors and fees in writing.
Start by gathering your COE and DD-214, then ask for a quote with no hard inquiry. Learn more about our services.
Disclaimer: This article is general information, not financial or legal advice. Rates, fees, and program rules are subject to change, and nothing here guarantees approval or a specific rate. Consult a licensed professional about your situation. Equal Housing Opportunity. Duane Buziak, NMLS #1110647; Coast2Coast Mortgage LLC, NMLS #376205.
About the author: Duane Buziak (NMLS #1110647) is a VA loan specialist licensed in Virginia, Florida, Tennessee, and Georgia. He is a Scotsman Guide Top Originator (#114 nationally), VA Broker of the Year for 2024 to 2025, and has 1,400+ five-star reviews. Read more about Duane Buziak.