VA Loan Efficiency Gap: How Specialized Lenders Cut Closing Times by 30 Days
The VA home loan program remains the most potent mortgage tool for veterans, offering zero down payment, competitive rates, and no private mortgage insurance. Yet its average 55-day closing timeline—7 days slower than conventional loans—creates logistical headaches for military families during Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves or competitive housing markets.
Delays stem from administrative bottlenecks: eligibility verification, mandatory appraisals, and underwriting complexity. These hurdles inflate costs for temporary housing or rate lock extensions, often jeopardizing transactions. However, lenders specializing in VA loans consistently demonstrate the process can be streamlined without sacrificing rigor.