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Many Americans are finding tiny houses, or those that measure several hundred square feet in size, are a welcome way to live. They can be both economical and eco-friendly, and some people say they simplify life, which can bring many benefits.

If you’re curious about tiny houses or are currently contemplating one, it’s important to know that financing these dwellings may be different than securing a traditional mortgage. Here’s a guide to tiny houses and how to secure funds to buy or build one.

What Is a Tiny House?

A tiny house is often defined as a home that is between 100 and 400 square feet. In contrast, the median size of a single-family American home is currently 2,014 square feet. That’s five times bigger than the biggest tiny home. Here are some other facts to know about this kind of dwelling.

•   Owners live in their tiny homes themselves, rent them out, use them as a small vacation home or even build them as an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on the same lot as their primary residence. Tiny homes may be on wheels, or they may sit on a fixed foundation.

•   Prefab homes can be delivered complete to the site, or there are modular homes that require some assembly on site. Those who would rather build their own house can hire an architect or draw up plans to their own specifications. There are small homes in all kinds of styles, from a classic Colonial or Victorian to a ranch style or A-frame or ultra-modern design.

•   Local zoning rules will determine whether or not a person can build or move into a tiny home. And building codes will determine things like ceiling height.

•   Tiny houses may not have good resale value since they are such a specific type of home and are often highly customized. Before buying a tiny house as an investment property, it might be wise to consult a real estate investment professional.

💡 Quick Tip: Before choosing a personal loan, ask about the lender’s fees: origination, prepayment, late fees, etc. One question can save you many dollars.

Tiny House Pricing

In 2023, the average sales price for a single-family home was about $430,300. Tiny homes cost quite a bit less, with an average of $45,000. That price can vary up and down depending on the size of the home, materials used, and amenities (yes, some tiny homes have luxe, spa-style bathrooms, for example). The price of the building is not the only thing to consider.

Buyers of tiny homes must factor in the price of buying or leasing land on which to place the home if they don’t already own it, as well as the cost of hooking it up to utilities.

If the tiny home is on a foundation, there may be state and local property taxes to pay. If the tiny house is on wheels, though, there likely won’t be property tax assessed.

Recommended: Is Buying a House a Good Investment?

Financing the Land

If property needs to be purchased to have a place to put a tiny home, an option for financing is a land loan. There are three types of land loans: raw land loans, unimproved land loans, and improved loans.

•   Raw land loans are for land that’s completely undeveloped with no electricity, roads, or sewer access.

•   Unimproved land loans are for properties that have more access to amenities like utilities, but lack utility meters.

•   Improved land loans are for land with access to roads, water, and electricity.

The size of the down payment and the interest rate of the loan will depend on what type of loan is needed. For example, lenders may consider raw land to be a riskier option than improved land and require a bigger down payment and higher interest rates.

Mortgages for Tiny Homes

Qualifying for a home loan for a tiny home may be tricky. Some lenders may not be willing to offer first or second mortgages for tiny home financing. However, if a tiny home has a foundation and complies with local building codes, it may qualify for certain mortgages.

Tiny homes may also qualify for what is known as a “chattel mortgage,” a mortgage for moveable personal property. The tiny home acts as security for the loan, and the lender effectively becomes the owner of the tiny home until the loan is paid off and ownership is transferred back to the borrower.

This differs from traditional mortgages that are secured by a lien on the property. Because the size of the loans are typically small, chattel mortgages may have relatively short terms, though interest rates may be relatively high.

Personal Loans

A personal loan can allow individuals access to money that they can use for any personal, family, or household purpose, from paying off credit cards to an effective tiny house loan. Depending on the lender, loan amounts can range from a few thousand dollars to $100,000. When the applicant is approved for a personal loan, they’ll receive the loan amount in a lump sum and pay it back in installments with interest.

Personal loans may be secured or unsecured. Unsecured loans are not backed with any collateral, and the interest rates currently range from about 6% to 36%, depending largely on the borrower’s credit score.

Secured loans are backed by collateral, such as personal savings, a car, or another home owned by the same borrower. They typically come with a lower interest rate than their unsecured counterparts. However, it’s important to note that if a personal loan is defaulted on, the borrower’s assets could be seized by the lender to repay the debt.

Home Equity Loans

The equity someone may have built up in a home they already own can be tapped to finance a tiny home for use as a vacation home, rental property, or ADU. A home equity loan is a fixed amount of money secured by a borrower’s home.

Usually, up to 85% of the equity accumulated in a home can be borrowed, though actual loan amounts will also depend on the applicant’s income and credit history. The home equity loan is repaid with monthly payments over a fixed term. And if the borrower fails to repay, the lender can foreclose on the house.

A home equity line of credit (HELOC) may be another option to finance a tiny home. HELOCs differ from home equity loans in that the borrower doesn’t receive a single lump-sum payment from the lender.

Rather, a HELOC gives the borrower access to a line of credit that can be drawn down, paid back, and drawn down again, if need be, within a certain time period. The HELOC is secured by the borrower’s home, so as with a home equity loan if the debt is not paid, the lender can use the home as collateral.

Loans From Tiny House Builders

A tiny house builder or contractor may be able to help secure financing through unsecured loans based on an applicant’s credit score, or secured loans backed by the value of the tiny home. These tiny-house loans may have longer terms and lower starting interest rates than personal loans, but they may require a downpayment.

RV Loans

If the tiny house has wheels and is certified as an RV by the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association, an RV loan may be another option for financing. Online lenders, banks, and credit unions may all offer RV loans. In many cases, the tiny house will serve as collateral for the loan, the same way a car would serve as collateral in an automobile loan.

Recommended: Guide to Buying, Selling, and Updating Your Home

The Takeaway

If you’re in the market for a tiny house, you may need to think beyond traditional mortgages. Home equity, HELOC, and personal loans, among other options, may be available forms of financing that can set you on your way to owning the tiny house of your dreams.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. See your rate in minutes.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

Your home’s roof can take a beating, whether roasting in the sun during the summer, getting coated with ice in winter, and withstanding wind and rain year-round. In other words, it’s one of your house’s key MVPs. But eventually, roofs wear out and need to be replaced or fixed. You may notice a small (or big) leak. It could be 15, 20, or even 50 years, but at some point, your roof will likely need to be repaired or replaced. While costs can range widely, the average roof replacement currently costs $11,500.

In this guide, you’ll learn about roof replacement costs, as well as what your options are for paying for roofing expenses.

How Much Does a New Roof Cost?

The average roof lasts 25 to 50 years, though repairs (both minor and major) can pop up more often. Sometimes, damage to one part of a roof can nudge a homeowner to go ahead and replace the whole thing.

You likely got a general idea of the condition of your home’s roof during the home inspection, when you were buying your property. If now is the time to get the job done, though, you’ll want to understand the costs involved.

When looking at new roof installation costs, there are a number of factors that will impact the overall price:

•   Size of the roof being replaced

•   Material to be used on the roof

•   Style of the roof (those with multiple eaves, lots of detailing, or steeper pitches could take longer and cost more)

•   What part of the country you live in (cost of living can vary considerably)

•   What time of year you are having work done (doing so off-season could potentially save you extra money; roofers tend to be most in demand in late summer and early fall).

•   The size and style of the roof may contribute to the overall cost. The height and pitch of your roof are also important factors because there are additional safety and labor costs to consider.

The average cost to replace a roof is approximately $11,500 on average, but the price could range from $6,700 to $80,000.

When creating an estimate, roofers sometimes define costs per roofing square. One roofing square is equal to a 10-by-10-foot (100 square feet) area. So a 1,700-square-foot roof would be 17 squares. Currently, squares can range in price from $450 to $750, depending on materials and other costs.


💡 Quick Tip: A low-interest personal loan can consolidate your debts, lower your monthly payments, and help you get out of debt sooner.

Getting a New Roof

Some pointers on getting a new roof:

•   If you are replacing your roof as a part of general home maintenance, you may have a little more time to prepare for the costs associated with the repairs. It allows you to be more methodical about pricing the project out and selecting a roofer. And having a bit of a runway will allow you to start saving and develop a workable budget for the project.

•   Get an estimate from several reputable contractors. When doing so, be sure to pay close attention to the quality of the materials specified in the estimate. It’s even better if you can get a recommendation from someone you know. Regardless, definitely check reviews and references carefully.

•   Remember that, while a new roof can be a major expense, it can improve the value of your home for future sale, stave off ongoing repairs from leaks, and, of course, protect the residents.

Paying for Roof Repairs

If your roof is damaged, then you are faced with a different challenge than figuring the roof replacement cost.

•   In the case of a natural disaster caused by an earthquake or hurricanes, you may even be eligible for help from the Federal Emergency Management Agency“>Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Whatever the cause, it could be helpful to take photographs sooner rather than later to document the damage.

•   Your homeowners’ policy or home warranty may include coverage that could possibly help defray some of the costs, depending on the cause of the damage and the age of the roof.

•   If it’s determined that the damage is from normal wear and tear, then it will likely be considered regular maintenance and may not be covered. Many roofing jobs fall into that common home repair category.

•   Also, if your roof is older than 10 years, you may only be eligible for part of the cost determined to be a depreciated value of the roof. Whatever the circumstance, it could be worthwhile to call your insurance company and find out if you’re covered and to what extent.

•   And, before you start work, it bears repeating that it’s wise to get multiple estimates to help you make an informed decision and ensure that you’re getting the most value for your investment. You may want to consult with a few licensed roofing contractors and compare bids.

Recommended: How to Pay for Emergency Home Repairs

Ways to Help Pay for Home Repairs

Whether you are replacing your entire roof or just replacing a damaged portion, you may want to consider financing all or part of the work. One option worth considering: a personal loan.

•   A personal loan can be a good option for some homeowners. With a personal loan, you’ll usually get a lower interest rate than credit cards. Also, with an unsecured personal loan, there typically is no additional lien against your property. Often, these loans can be processed quickly and with minimal fees.

•   Another financing option homeowners turn to for home improvements is a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit (HELOC). The application for a HELOC is akin to that of a mortgage. How much you’re able to borrow depends on several factors, including the value of your home. You may also have to arrange and pay for a home appraisal.

As you consider your costs associated with a roofing or other home project, you may want to use a home improvement cost calculator to help you budget appropriately.

The Takeaway

Replacing your home’s roof is typically a big-budget home repair project; it often costs in the five-figure range. However, it’s an important investment in your home’s value and integrity. You can look into financing options such as HELOCs and personal loans to help you pay for the work.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. See your rate in minutes.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

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Putting in a pool can turn your backyard into an oasis for parties, playtime for kids, and weekend relaxation. Unfortunately, installing an in-ground swimming pool costs over $55,000 on average, which can leave many homeowners wondering how to cover the cost of installing a swimming pool.

What are your options if you don’t have enough cash? Can you get swimming pool financing? Fortunately, yes. You actually have several options for financing a pool, including a cash-out refinance, a home equity loan or credit line, and a personal loan. Read on for a closer look at different types of pool financing and their pros and cons.

How to Finance a Swimming Pool

If you don’t have enough money saved to pay upfront for a pool — or even if you do — you might be wondering what types of loans or other options are appropriate for this type of backyard remodel.

There are several pool financing choices available to homeowners — including credit cards, pool company financing, cash-out refinancing, home equity loans, home equity lines of credit, and home improvement loans.

Before you take the plunge into financing a pool, it’s a good idea to consider the pros and cons of each type, including the overall costs of borrowing and whether you might qualify for a particular type of loan. What follows is a guide to four of the most popular pool financing options.

Using a Cash-Out Refinance to Pay for a Pool

If you have significant equity built up in your home, you may want to consider a cash-out refinance. Equity refers to the amount of your home’s value that you’ve actually paid off. Put another way, it’s the difference between your mortgage balance and your home’s current value.

With a cash-out refinance, you replace your existing mortgage with a new mortgage for a larger amount. You receive the overage as cash back, which you can then use to cover virtually any expense, including the installation of a swimming pool.

Pros of a Cash-Out Refinance

A cash-out refinance comes with a number of potential benefits:

•   Access to large loans You may be able to borrow up to 80% of your home’s equity, which could be enough to cover the cost of putting in a pool — and maybe even some extras, like a new barbecue or lounge chairs.

•   A lower rate Borrowers with good or improved credit, or those who bought their home when interest rates were higher, may be able to refinance to a lower interest rate.

•   Potential tax deductions A mortgage interest tax deduction may be available on a cash-out refinance if the money is used for capital improvements on your property. (Consult with a tax professional for more details on how this applies to your situation.)

Cons of a Cash-Out Refinance

There are also some downsides to going the cash refi route, including:

•   Involved application process Borrowers must go through the mortgage application process all over again to get a new loan, which usually means submitting updated information, getting an appraisal, and waiting for approval.

•   Closing costs You may have to pay closing costs, generally from 2% to 6% of the total loan amount. (That’s the old loan plus the lump sum that’s being added.)

•   Foreclosure risk Your mortgage is a secured loan, which means if you can’t make your payments, you could risk foreclosure.

Using a Home Equity Line of Credit to Finance a Pool

Another way you can use your home’s equity to finance a pool is to take out a home equity line of credit (HELOC).

A HELOC is a revolving line of credit that uses your home as collateral. It works much like a credit card in that:

•   The lender gives you a credit limit to draw from, and you only repay what you borrow, plus interest.

•   As you pay back the money you owe, those funds become available to you again for a predetermined “draw” period (usually five to 10 years).

Pros of a HELOC

Here’s why a HELOC can be a popular way to pay for home improvements like adding a pool:

•   Flexibility Instead of borrowing money in one lump sum, a HELOC allows you to tap into the line only as needed. Plus, you only pay interest based on the amount you actually borrow, not the entire amount for which you were approved, as you would with a regular loan.

•   Low rates The interest rates are generally lower than credit cards and unsecured personal loans.

•   Potential tax deductions The interest on HELOC payments might be tax deductible if the funds were were to buy, build, or substantially improve your home, and you itemize your deductions.

Cons of a HELOC

HELOC also have a few potential drawbacks, which include:

•   Variable interest rates HELOCs generally come with a variable interest rate, which means when interest rates increase, the monthly payments could go up. Although there may be a cap on how much the rate can increase, some borrowers might find it difficult to plan around those fluctuating payments.

•   HELOCs are easy to use — and overuse Some of the same things that can make a HELOC appealing (easy access to cash, lower interest rates, and tax-deductible interest) could lead to overspending if borrowers aren’t disciplined.

•   Foreclosure risk A HELOC is secured by an asset (your house). If you stop making the payments on the HELOC, you could lose your home.

Recommended: The Different Types Of Home Equity Loans

Using a Home Equity Loan for Pool Financing

A home equity loan is yet another way to tap into the money you’ve already put into your home. But unlike a HELOC, borrowers receive a lump sum of money.

Pros of a Home Equity Loan

Home equity loans have several benefits that make them worth considering for financing a swimming pool:

•   Predictable payments Unlike HELOCs, which typically come with a variable interest rate, home equity loans usually have a fixed interest rate. The borrower can expect a reliable repayment schedule for the duration of the loan.

•   Low rates Because it’s a secured loan, lenders usually consider a home equity loan lower risk and, therefore, offer lower rates. Secured loans also tend to be easier to qualify for than unsecured loans.

•   Potential tax deductions And, once again, there is a potential tax break. If the loan is used for capital improvements to the home, and you itemize your deductions, the interest may be deductible.

Cons of a Home Equity Loan

There are also some downsides to a home equity loan:

•   Rates may be higher than HELOCs Because a home equity loan’s interest rate won’t fluctuate with the market, the rate for a home equity loan is typically higher.

•   Closing costs As with most loans involving real estate, you’ll likely have to pay closing costs. These costs can range from 2% to 5% of the loan amount.

•   Foreclosure risk You may put your home at risk for foreclosure if you can’t make your loan payments.

Using a Personal Loan

You don’t necessarily have to tap into your home’s equity to finance a swimming pool. Many banks, credit unions, and online lenders offer unsecured personal loans that can be used for home improvements, including the installation of a swimming pool.

If you haven’t owned your home for long, or if your home hasn’t gone up much in value while you’ve owned it, a personal loan may be worth considering.

Pros of a Personal Loan for Pool Financing

Here’s a look at some of the advantages of using a personal loan for a home renovation like a pool:

•   Simple application process Applying for an unsecured personal loan is typically quicker and simpler than applying for a secured loan. With a personal loan, you don’t have to wait for a home appraisal or wade through the other paperwork necessary for a loan that’s tied to your home’s equity.

•   Fast access to funds Personal loan application processing and funding speeds vary, but many lenders offer same- or next-day funding.

•   Lower risk Because your home isn’t being used as collateral, the lender can’t foreclose if you don’t make payments. (That doesn’t mean the lender won’t look for other ways to collect, however.)

Cons of a Personal Loan for Pool Financing

Personal loans also come with some disadvantages. Here are some to keep in mind:

•   Higher interest rates Personal loans are unsecured, which means they generally come with a higher interest rate than secured loans that use your property as collateral. (However, borrowers who have good credit and don’t appear to be a risk to lenders still may be able to obtain loan terms that work for their needs.)

•   Origination fees Many (though not all) personal loan lenders charge an origination fee of between 1% and 6%, adding costs you might not have anticipated.

•   Less borrowing power Personal loan amounts range from $1,000 to $100,000 but how much you can borrow will depend on the lender and your qualifications as a borrower. With a home equity loan or credit line, you may be able to access more — up to 80% of your home’s value, minus your outstanding mortgage.

Should You Finance a Pool?

Installing a pool is an expensive home improvement, so you may need to borrow some money to pay for all or part of the project. Even if you have enough cash saved to pay upfront for a pool, you may still want to consider financing some or most of the project if you want to keep cash accessible for emergencies and other needs.

Financing with a low-interest loan (provided you can afford the payments) can make paying for a pool manageable. But before you borrow a large sum, you may want to consider how long you plan to live in your current home, how much pool maintenance might cost each month, if you’ll actually use the pool enough to make it a worthwhile purchase, and if the value added to your home is worth the investment.

The Takeaway

Due to the high initial investment required for installing a new pool, many homeowners opt to borrow money for the project and pay it off over time. Fortunately, you have a few different options for pool financing.

If you have significant home equity and are looking for fixed monthly payments, you might consider using a home equity loan to finance your pool. If you have significant home equity but want flexibility in your payments, you might prefer a HELOC.

If, on the other hand, you have good credit but not a lot of equity in your home — or you’d prefer not to put your home on the line — it may be worth looking at a personal loan for pool financing.

Ready to dive into your pool project? Consider a SoFi Personal Loan. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. Checking your rate takes just a minute.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

The median home size in the US is currently about 2,014 square feet, but there’s lots of interest in tiny houses these days. How big is that? A typical definition of a tiny house is that it’s smaller than 500 or 600 square feet. Some people pride themselves on living in a mere 225 square feet or even under 100 square feet.

Living in a tiny house can be affordable, eco-smart, and part of a minimalist ethos, whether your tastes run towards cottage charm or contemporary. But how much does it cost? And what if you’re in a small home and want to remodel it; is that even possible?

Read on to learn more about tiny houses and the related costs to decide if this style of living is right for you.

Creative Tiny House Designs

Sixty-three percent of Millennials said they’d consider living in a tiny home, according to a survey by Technovio. That’s a lot of people, with a lot of different tastes and preferences when it comes to home styles.

There are small houses that look like classic woodsy cabins, A-frames, treehouses, charming Victorian structures, ultra-modern boxes, and more.

Some are built on site; others are fabricated wholly or partially elsewhere and brought to your site. You may see terms like prebuilt or prefabricated used.

House Beautiful, Country Living, and other design publications often highlight inspiring tiny house designs, and you can also find ideas on Pinterest, Instagram, and other social media platforms.

Typically, tiny houses are all about flexibility and functionality. Just as you budget your money, the square footage in a small home must be allocated. Some are one open room with different zones for living. Others may be divided into separate spaces with privacy, but there is usually an element of multifunctionality to allow the house to serve whatever the resident’s needs are, from working to relaxing, from sleeping to entertaining.


💡 Quick Tip: A low-interest personal loan from SoFi can help you consolidate your debts, lower your monthly payments, and get you out of debt sooner.

Downsizing into a Tiny House

If you’ve recently purchased a home that’s tiny and are seriously considering doing so, you will probably need to downsize more first. If you’re the kind of person who has drawers’ full of workout wear, hundreds of books, and/or a growing art collection, you may need to do some pruning. Here are some tips:

•   In a tiny house, virtually everything needs a purpose—and ideally, can have multiple purposes. Dishes that are purely decorative, for example, are less likely to have a place in your home than beautiful ones that are also functional. Have an adorable cup that you love? Great, but will it double as a pencil holder?

•   Most people who downsize their home quickly realize that a good percentage of their belongings have been kept for sentimental reasons. Some people moving into tiny houses have found that, if they carefully photograph these items and then find an excellent new home for them, then a scrapbook containing these photos provides pleasure without taking up much space.

•   It can help gamify the process of downsizing to challenge yourself to toss, regift, or give away an item a day.

•   Do consult the works of Marie Kondo, of the “KonMari” method fame, for guidance on deciding how to keep what truly sparks joy and jettison the rest.

•   Hold a “take it or pack it” party. Set up a table full of stuff you don’t want for friends to take as they help you box up what you do want to take with you when you move.

•   Sell your stuff that you no longer want or need to raise funds for your new home.

•   Keep furniture that has multiple purposes. A sofa, for example, may be what the family uses during the day and a guest sleeps on at night.

Recommended: How to Lower Credit Card Debt Without Ruining Your Credit

Tiny House Design Tips

As you move towards tiny house living, consider these design pointers to help ensure that your little kingdom works as well as possible for you. This advice can also help if you are remodeling a tiny house.

•   Prioritize your needs so the space can accommodate what is truly important. Do you need to be able to work from home and be on Zoom calls regularly? Or is this a place where you want to carve out room to cook with your best friend? Be ultra-clear about your top priorities because there is no room for error in these compact homes.

•   If you are renovating a tiny home, don’t forget to consider how your remodel can impact your house’s value. You likely want to add value to your home vs. invest money that can’t be recouped. Using a home project value estimator can help you understand your project’s potential return.

•   Think storage, storage, storage. For instance, consider adding a sleeping loft and then using the space beneath the stairs leading to the loft for more storage. Drawers can be built into loft stairs and there can be a space reserved for hanging your clothes. You can store plenty beneath your bed, or even try drawers under your couch.

In your kitchen, you can hang appliances beneath cabinets (which can extend right up to the ceiling) to keep counter space free, add drawers to the kick plates of your cabinets—and even choose plug-in kitchen appliances (including a stovetop) that can be put away, as needed, for extra space.

💡 Quick Tip: Home improvement loans typically offer lower interest rates than credit cards. Consider a loan to fund your next renovation.

Costs to Expect with a Tiny House

The cost of a tiny home can vary tremendously, as you might imagine. Here are some guidelines to get you started:

•   Overall, tiny houses tend to be less expensive to build and own than a larger home, due to economies of scale. However, the per-square-foot costs are typically higher. To build a tiny house may run $300 per square foot vs. $150 per square foot for a standard-size home.

•   Prebuilt tiny homes can cost around $75,000 (this doesn’t include the land they are on), and purchasing a pre-owned one can be as little as $30,000. Building your own can easily cost $100,000 or more, depending on the complexity and detailing. However, when you compare this to the average home value of $410,200 mid-2023, you see that the savings can be significant.

•   Tiny homes can use a fraction of the energy (even less than 10%) vs. a typical-size home. This is due to the smaller size, certainly, as well as there may be other efficiencies in terms of their design.

Using a Personal Loan for Your Tiny House Expenses

If you already own a tiny home but want to renovate it or are buying one and want to remodel your home right away, it may be tempting to put the costs on your credit card. After all, a small home means small expenses, right?

Not necessarily. Even if the costs are low, by putting them on a credit card, which probably charges a high interest rate, you can wind up with debt that is hard to pay off. That interest can have a way of accumulating quickly.

A better solution might be a personal loan vs. a credit card, which can offer a significantly lower interest rate. You’ll have a fixed, predictable monthly payment instead of potentially multiple fluctuating credit card bills.

If you think a personal loan could be the right move for you and your tiny home plans, shop around to see what offers are available.

Picking a Personal Loan

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. See your rate in minutes.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

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Thanks to rapidly rising home prices, VA loan limits got a substantial boost in 2023.

For most U.S. counties, the baseline limit for VA loans is now $726,200, compared to $647,200 in 2022. And loan limits for single-family homes in counties with higher home costs also increased — from a maximum (or “ceiling”) of $970,800 in 2022 to $1,089,300 in 2023.

What could higher loan limits mean for you? If you’re a veteran considering a VA-backed home loan, read on for a breakdown of what you can expect if you purchase a home this year.

What Is the VA Loan Limit?

To be clear: The VA doesn’t limit how much an eligible veteran, service member, or survivor using a VA loan benefit can borrow to finance a home. There are only limits on how much of the loan amount the VA will guarantee if the borrower is unable to repay the mortgage. And that limit can vary based on the status of the borrower’s VA entitlement.

Most borrowers who apply for a VA loan have something called “full entitlement.” This means that if the borrower defaults, the VA will guarantee — or repay the lender — up to 25% of whatever loan amount the lender approved based on its own criteria. If you’re a first-time homebuyer, or if you’ve paid off a past VA loan, you can expect to have a full entitlement.

But if a borrower has what the VA refers to as a “remaining entitlement” (they have a VA loan they’re still paying back), the VA will limit its guarantee based on the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) loan limit in the county where the home is being purchased.

Instead of paying the lender up to 25% of the full loan amount if the borrower defaults, the VA will limit its guarantee to up to 25% of the applicable FHFA loan limit minus the amount of the entitlement the borrower already used. Borrowers can still get a VA loan using their remaining entitlement, but they may have to make a down payment to get that loan if the loan amount is more than $144,000.

To check your VA entitlement status, you can request a certificate of eligibility (COE) through your lender, online, or by mail.


💡 Quick Tip: Buying a home shouldn’t be aggravating. SoFi’s online mortgage application is quick and simple, with dedicated Mortgage Loan Officers to guide you from start to finish.

When Do VA Loan Limits Apply?

You may wonder when VA loan limits apply and, more specifically, how annual changes to loan limits are calculated. The VA bases its loan guarantee limits on the same conforming loan limits (CLL) the FHFA sets for conventional home mortgage loans that are eligible for purchase by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

By law, the FHFA must adjust these limits annually to reflect changes to home prices in the U.S. Between the third quarters of 2021 and 2022, home prices increased, on average, by 12.21%, based on the FHFA House Price Index. So the 2023 baseline CLL increased by that percentage.

But your county’s loan limit could be considerably higher, depending on average home prices in your area.

These differences are, in part, due to the variability of cost of living by state.

2023 VA Loan Limit Calculator Table

Higher home prices across the U.S. brought the FHFA’s baseline limit (and, therefore, the VA’s baseline limit for 2023) to $726,200 for a single-family home in most counties.

But in counties where 115% of the median home value is higher than the baseline CLL, the limit has been increased by a percentage that reflects those higher prices. There is a ceiling, or cap, however, of 150%.

Here’s what that looks like for a single-family home in 2023 vs. 2022.

VA Loan Limits in 2023 and 2022

If you’re buying in Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, special statutory provisions dictate the loan limit, which in 2023 is $1,089,300 for a single-family home.

VA Loan Limit Example

Here’s a hypothetical example of how a borrower could be affected by the county loan limit on a VA loan.

Let’s say Joe, a Navy veteran, wants to buy a home in San Diego County, even though he knows the cost of living in California is higher than average. Joe manages to find a $600,000 single-family home and he wants to buy with a VA loan, but he still owes $100,000 on another VA loan.

The 2023 limit in San Diego County is $977,500. Since the VA will guarantee up to a quarter of that amount, Joe has a maximum entitlement of $244,375.

$977,500 x .25 = $244,375

But Joe has to subtract the amount of his entitlement he’s already used, which leaves him with $144,375.

$244.375 – $100,000 = $144,375

So, the VA would guarantee up to $144,375 of Joe’s loan.

Since most lenders want at least 25% of a borrower’s loan amount to be covered by the VA entitlement and/or a down payment, Joe might have to make a $5,625 down payment to get a VA loan for this home.

$600,000 x .25 = $150,000

$150,000 – $144,375 = $5,625


💡 Quick Tip: Apply for a VA loan and borrow up to $1.5 million with a fixed- or adjustable-rate mortgage. The flexibility extends to the down payment, too — qualified VA homebuyers don’t even need one!^{†^}

How Does My County Loan Limit Affect Me?

Just like Joe in the example above, if you’re using a remaining entitlement and your loan amount is over $144,000, your county loan limit could determine whether you’ll have to make a down payment to buy the home you want.

It doesn’t mean you can’t get the loan. If you have enough to make the down payment required by your lender, you may even qualify for a VA-backed loan that’s more than your county loan limit.

It’s important to note that though the example provided here is for a home purchase, the same entitlement limits apply if you’re considering refinancing your VA loan. In that case, your county limit could affect how much you’ll be asked to pay in closing costs.

How to Apply for a VA Home Loan

Most VA loans are “VA-backed” loans, which means they’re issued by approved private lenders. The VA’s guarantee that it will help repay the lender if a borrower defaults is an incentive for lenders to offer these loans with attractive terms.

Still, it can be a good idea to shop around for the loan that best meets your family needs, and compare interest rates, fees, customer service, and any additional benefits various lenders might be offering.

You also may want to compare the terms of your top VA loan offer to what you can get with different types of mortgage loans, including a conventional loan.

Of course, no matter which type of loan you ultimately choose, you’ll still have to qualify for a mortgage with a lender.

There isn’t a requisite minimum credit score for VA loans. Instead, the VA asks lenders to review the borrower’s “entire loan profile,” which could include your credit history, DTI ratio, employment history, and assets. Individual lenders also may have their own approval criteria you should be aware of when you’re ready to apply for a VA loan.

Pros and Cons of VA Loan Limits

The VA loan limit is just one of several factors you may want to consider if you’re thinking about using a VA loan for a home purchase or a mortgage refinance. Like any other mortgage option, VA loans have their pros and cons. Here are a few to keep in mind:

VA Loan Pros

The upsides of VA loans can include:

•   Interest rates may be lower with a VA loan than with a conventional loan.

•   You may not need to make a down payment or pay mortgage insurance.

•   Though non-VA jumbo loans may require a higher down payment, this isn’t necessarily true with a VA jumbo loan.

•   If you decide to sell your home, you can allow the buyer to assume (or take over) your existing mortgage.

VA Loan Cons

Now, for the downsides:

•   VA purchase loans are only for primary homes; you can’t use the loan to buy a vacation home or to invest in a home that isn’t your main residence.

•   The VA charges a one-time “funding fee” that’s designed to cover foreclosure costs when homebuyers default on a loan. Currently, the fee ranges from 1.25% to 3.3% of the loan.

•   The home you hope to buy must be evaluated by a VA-approved appraiser to ensure it meets the VA’s minimum property standards. If the home you want is too rundown, it may not pass this appraisal.

Recommended: 2023 Home Loan Help Center

The Takeaway

VA loan limits are based on home prices in the U.S., and they’re adjusted annually to reflect price increases.

If you’re a first-homebuyer or you’ve paid off a past VA loan, you shouldn’t have to worry about VA loan limits. But if you want to buy a home and you already have a VA loan, the loan limit for your county could determine whether you’ll have to make a down payment to qualify for the amount you hope to borrow.

SoFi offers VA loans with competitive interest rates, no private mortgage insurance, and down payments as low as 0%. Eligible service members, veterans, and survivors may use the benefit multiple times.

Our Mortgage Loan Officers are ready to guide you through the process step by step.

FAQ

Will VA home loan limits increase in 2023?

Yes, VA home loan limits increased significantly in 2023. The baseline limit for VA loans is now $726,200, compared to $647,200 in 2022.

What is the conforming limit for 2023?

The national baseline conforming loan limit for 2023 is $726,200 in 2023. But the VA loan limit may be higher in U.S. counties where home prices are especially high.

What is the DTI limit for a VA loan in 2023?

The Department of Veterans Affairs hasn’t set a hard-and-fast limit on the debt-to-income ratio it requires for its loans. But generally, lenders allow a 41% maximum for a VA loan.

Photo credit: iStock/Thai Liang Lim
^†Veterans, Service members, and members of the National Guard or Reserve may be eligible for a loan guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. VA loans are subject to unique terms and conditions established by VA and SoFi. Ask your SoFi loan officer for details about eligibility, documentation, and other requirements. VA loans typically require a one-time funding fee except as may be exempted by VA guidelines. The fee may be financed or paid at closing. The amount of the fee depends on the type of loan, the total amount of the loan, and, depending on loan type, prior use of VA eligibility and down payment amount. The VA funding fee is typically non-refundable. SoFi is not affiliated with any government agency.
^{^}SoFi VA ARM: At the end of 60 months (5y/1y ARM), the interest rate and monthly payment adjust. At adjustment, the new mortgage rate will be based on the one-year Constant Maturity Treasury (CMT) rate, plus a margin of 2.00% subject to annual and lifetime adjustment caps.

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