The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a variety of home loan programs for active duty servicemembers, veterans, and National Guard and Reserve members: 

• Purchase Loans help purchase a home at a competitive interest rate often without requiring a downpayment or private mortgage insurance.
• Cash Out Refinance Loans take cash out of your home equity to pay off debt, fund school, or make home improvements.
• Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loans can help you obtain a lower interest rate by refinancing an existing VA loan.
• Native American Direct Loans help eligible Native American veterans finance the purchase, construction, or improvement of homes on Federal Trust Land or reduce the interest rate on a VA loan.
• Adapted Housing Grants help veterans with a permanent and total service-connected disability purchase or build an adapted home or to modify an existing home to account for their disability.

These programs are not one-time benefits - they can be reused.

Learn more about home loans for veterans and servicemembers.

If you need help deciding what papers to keep, our guide to managing household records can help.

The majority of home fires occur during the winter months. Take a look at some precautions that will help to prevent fires caused by portable heaters, wood stoves, fireplaces, generators, and candles. You’ll also find reminders about smoke alarms and the importance of having a home escape plan.

A working and properly maintained smoke alarm could significantly increase your chances of surviving a fire in your home.

Summer heat can bring wildfires. If you live in an area where they are common, there are steps you can take to minimize damage.

The best thing you can do is use fire resistant building materials. If this isn’t possible, be sure to remove flammable materials, such as leaves, from your roof and store gasoline away from occupied buildings.

Get more tips for protecting your home from wildfires.