Tampa Bay VA Homebuyer Guide 2026

A plain-English guide to buying a home in Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco with your VA home loan benefit.

• ✓How to get your Certificate of Eligibility
• ✓The VA funding fee, and who is usually exempt (veterans receiving VA disability compensation, Purple Heart recipients, eligible surviving spouses). Your lender confirms.
• ✓How VA appraisals and the VA escape clause protect you
• ✓Florida homestead and veteran property tax exemptions
• ✓Choosing a VA-experienced lender: we give you a list of 2 to 3 and you choose