conventionalhomeloans.services

VA version: vahomeloans.services/certificate-of-eligibility/ →

Step 1 of your conventional loan journey

Get Your conventional pre-approval

Your pre-approval letter proves to lenders that you qualify for a conventional loan. There are three ways to get it — the fastest takes minutes. Here is everything you need to know.

3 METHODS

How to Get Your pre-approval

You do NOT need to get your pre-approval yourself. Your lender can pull it instantly. But here are all three options:

Through Your Lender
Fastest — Minutes

Valley West pulls your pre-approval electronically through the VA’s WebLGY portal. Takes minutes, costs nothing. This is how 90%+ of homebuyers get their pre-approval.

conventional eBenefits Portal
Self-service — Same day

Log into eBenefits.va.gov, navigate to “Apply for pre-approval letter” and download your pre-approval. Requires a DS Logon or ID.me account.

Mail conventional Form 26-1880
Slowest — 4-6 weeks

Complete conventional Form 26-1880 and mail it to your conventional Regional Loan Center with supporting documents. This is the slowest method and rarely needed.

WHAT IT SHOWS

What Your pre-approval Tells Lenders

Key Information on Your pre-approval
conventional loan eligibility status

Confirms you meet service requirements

Available equity amount

Shows how much guaranty you have remaining

Previous conventional loan usage

Whether equity is full or partially used

Funding fee exemption status

Shows if you are exempt due to disability

Common Equity Codes
Code
Meaning
01
Homebuyer — active wartime service
05
Active duty homebuyer
06
National Guard (6+ years)
07
Reservist (6+ years)
09
Surviving spouse
TROUBLESHOOTING

Common pre-approval Issues & Fixes

pre-approval shows wrong info

Service dates or status incorrect

Fix

Submit corrected income verification or Statement of Service to your conventional Regional Loan Center. Your lender can help expedite this process and request a manual pre-approval update.

Equity tied up

Previous conventional loan still active

Fix

You may still have enough remaining equity for a second conventional loan. Or you can request a one-time equity restoration if you have sold the previous home and paid off that conventional loan.

Not showing eligible

System says not eligible

Fix

This often happens with Guard/Reserve members or those with complex service histories. Provide your NGB-22 (Guard) or discharge papers directly to the conventional. Your lender can request a manual review.

DOCUMENTS

What You Need for Your pre-approval

Homebuyers (Separated)
income verification (Member Copy 4)
Government photo ID
Active Duty
Statement of Service (signed by commander)
Military ID
Guard & Reserve
NGB-22 or NGB-23 (Guard)
Points statement showing 6+ years
Proof of honorable service
Surviving Spouses
Homebuyer's income verification
Marriage certificate
Homebuyer's death certificate
FAQ

pre-approval Questions

Through your lender (like Valley West), it takes minutes. The lender pulls it electronically through the conventional portal. Through eBenefits, you can download it the same day. By mail (Form 26-1880), it takes 4-6 weeks. We strongly recommend letting your lender pull it for you.
No. Requesting a pre-approval letter has zero impact on your credit score. It is simply a verification of your home buying service eligibility for the conventional loan program.
Generally no. conventional loan eligibility requires a discharge under conditions other than dishonorable. However, some types of less-than-honorable discharges may still qualify depending on the circumstances. Contact the conventional directly for a character of service determination.
You can request a replacement income verification from the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) at eVetRecs.archives.gov. Your lender may also be able to pull your pre-approval using alternative service records. This is common and does not prevent you from getting a conventional loan.
Your pre-approval is typically pulled fresh each time you apply for a conventional loan, because it shows your current equity status. Your lender handles this automatically as part of the loan process.
EXPLORE

Related Resources

Conventional EligibilityConventional PurchaseClosing CostsConventional Loan Guide
REVIEWS

What conventional Buyers Say

★★★★★

"5-20% down, no PMI at 20%+ down, lowest rate I found. Valley West closed my conventional loan in 24 days."

— conventional buyer, Las Vegas
★★★★★

"Third conventional purchase with Valley West. They shop 50+ lenders every time. Always the best deal."

— conventional buyer, Henderson
★★★★★

"Saved $66K over conventional. Zero fees, zero hassle. Valley West knows conventional loans."

— conventional buyer, North Las Vegas
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