Using Your VA Loan for an Airbnb

Owning your own Airbnb is an attractive option for bringing in some extra cash. Veterans looking to use their VA loan benefit may wonder if an Airbnb property meets all the requirements set out by the VA.

While it might be possible to purchase a home and turn it into an Airbnb with a VA loan, you’ll need to ensure you are still following all the guidelines set out by your lender and the VA.

Let’s dive into it.

VA Loan Occupancy Requirements

The biggest issue with using your VA loan benefit for an Airbnb is that it violates the VA’s occupancy requirements. The VA will only back home loans that Veterans intend to use as their primary residence. This means the property cannot be used as a rental property, vacation home, timeshare or Airbnb.

But, again, if you are looking to purchase a different home and keep your current home, then you are permitted to use your current home as an Airbnb.

Airbnb Impacts on VA Entitlement

Any time you buy or sell a home with a VA loan, there will be some impact on your entitlement. VA entitlement is the amount of money the Department of Veterans Affairs is willing to guarantee on your loan. If you default on your loan, the VA will pay the lender up to 25% of the loan amount. So, if you have full entitlement and you take out a $200,000 loan, the VA will pay the lender up to $50,000.

Since you wouldn’t be selling the home you want to make into an Airbnb, your VA entitlement would be tied up in the property.

Two VA Loans at the Same Time

If you’re looking to use your VA loan benefit for a second home, it's possible to have two VA loans at once. However, when you have two VA loans, your entitlement will be diminished, which could impact your ability to put $0 down.

Your secondary entitlement is tied to the VA loan limit in your county. And if you're looking to buy a home above the amount of your remaining entitlement, you’ll need to make a down payment.

Here’s a quick example:

Let’s say you purchased a $350,000 home a few years back. You will be using $87,500 of your entitlement ($350,000 / 4). If you want to purchase a home again, the VA puts a loan limit on what they will guarantee for the second home. Take a look at the VA loan limit in your county and divide that by four.

In most counties, the VA loan limit is $766,550, meaning your remaining entitlement will be $155,637.50 ($766,550 / 4) minus the entitlement you’re currently using ($87,500). This means you will have $68,137.50 left of your entitlement. Since the VA guarantees 25% of the loan, this puts the maximum loan amount you can get without making a down payment at $272,550 (68,137.50 x 4). You can still get a loan for a higher amount—you will just need to make a down payment to cover the cost that exceeds the maximum loan amount.

Restoring Your VA Loan Entitlement

It is possible to fully restore your VA loan entitlement without having to sell the home; but you can only do this once, and you must have either paid the loan off or refinanced into a different loan type.

The VA on-time restoration of entitlement is a pretty big deal for Veteran homebuyers. With your full VA entitlement, you have no cap on how much you can borrow and can purchase a home for as much as a lender is willing to give you.

Are you interested in restoring your VA entitlement? Connect with a loan expert at Veterans United to see if you qualify.

Counting the Airbnb’s Income for New VA Loan

If you’re planning on using the money you make from your Airbnb to qualify for your second mortgage, you might have some challenges ahead of you. While it’s possible to do this with most other types of properties, there are unique factors involved with Airbnbing that can make it difficult. In many cases, it won’t be possible to count this income right off the bat.

Ultimately, it’ll be difficult for lenders to count this income as there are no long-term leases on the property and too much volatility in the market. Lenders need a steady and consistent income (usually for two years) before it can be used towards qualifying for another loan.

Things to Consider as an Airbnb Owner

While being an Airbnb owner sounds great, there are a few things that potential owners will need to consider before determining if it’s the right decision for them:

• You will be responsible for all repairs and maintenance on the property. This includes everything from fixing a broken window to replacing a roof.
• You will need to purchase insurance for your Airbnb. A standard homeowner’s insurance policy will not cover damage caused by guests.
• You will need to furnish your Airbnb. This can be a significant expense, depending on the size and type of property you purchase.
• You will need to market your Airbnb. This includes creating a listing, taking photos and responding to guest inquiries.
• You will need to clean your Airbnb between guests. This is a time-consuming task that often requires hiring professional cleaners.
• You will need to manage your Airbnb. This includes tasks like scheduling repairs, handling complaints and resolving disputes.

All things considered, using your VA loan benefit to turn into an Airbnb eventually can be a financially savvy move. It’s not right for everyone though, so be sure to talk to a home loan expert to weigh your options.