Buy in Tampa.
Built for VA.
Zero down. No PMI. Rates that beat the alternatives. Handled by a licensed Florida realtor who's walked hundreds of Greater Tampa Bay veterans through it — from Certificate of Eligibility on day one to keys at closing.
VA buying, by the numbers
The Benefit. By the Numbers.
$0
Down payment
With full entitlement
0%
PMI
Never required on a VA loan
2.15%
Funding fee
First-use, zero down (2026)
$832,750
Conforming limit
Hillsborough · Pinellas · Pasco
30–45
Days to close
Greater Tampa Bay typical
100%
Of value financed
Zero down, no piggyback
Figures verified for 2026 against VA.gov, FHFA, and Greater Tampa REALTORS data. See the full buyer's guide for sourcing and edge cases.
What I do for VA buyers
The Realtor Side. Handled.
COE pull + entitlement check
I work with you and your lender to confirm your Certificate of Eligibility, your remaining entitlement, and what that means for the price range you can target.
Lender comparison guidance
I won't pick your lender, but I'll tell you what to compare — rate, points, lender credits, the line items most VA buyers miss — so you can choose with confidence.
Neighborhood + price-range matching
South Tampa, Brandon, Riverview, Wesley Chapel, the MacDill commute corridor — I know the trade-offs. We'll match your budget and BAH to a neighborhood that actually fits.
MPR-aware showings
VA appraisers flag specific issues — roof condition, peeling paint, drainage, pool fencing. I look for those during showings so you don't fall in love with a home that won't appraise.
Appraisal advocacy
If a low appraisal comes back, the Tidewater process gives us 48 hours to support value. I prepare comps in advance so we're ready to push back the moment it matters.
Aligned with the listing side
I get on the phone with the listing agent, both lenders, and title from day one — making sure every party is playing for the same close-date. Real estate runs better when nobody's working against the deal.
Closing-day coordination
Lender, title, inspections, repairs, walk-through, signing — I keep all of it on a single calendar so you close on time and without surprises.
The Buying Playbook.
A four-phase strategy from Certificate of Eligibility to keys at closing.
Eligibility & Pre-Approval
Pull your COE, confirm entitlement, and compare 2–3 VA-experienced lenders so you write offers with confidence.
Strategic Search
Match neighborhoods to your budget, BAH, commute, and family stage. MPR-aware from the first showing.
Offer & Inspection
Concession strategy, contingencies, real inspection, and appraisal protections built for how the 2026 Tampa market is behaving.
Close & Move In
Tidewater readiness if the appraisal comes back low, walk-through, closing disclosure review, signing — I'm at the closing table.
Every phase is detailed in the full Tampa VA buyer's guide. Free to read, no email required.
Start to finish
30–60 days. "I want to buy" to keys.
From your first conversation to closing day, a motivated Tampa buyer is typically 40–60 days from start to finish. A highly focused, ready-to-go buyer can do the whole thing in under 30. Two phases get you there: pre-contract prep, then 21–30 days from offer acceptance to close.
Phase 1 · Before contract
The prep work. Before the clock starts.
Pre-contract is variable — could take a week, could take six months, depends on your pace. The prep itself is the same. Once it's done, the 21–30 day clock to closing starts.
Shop lenders, pick one
Compare 2–3 VA-experienced lenders side by side. Same loan amount, same lock period. Compare APR and credits, not just rate.
Finish application + pre-approval
Once you've picked a lender, get every doc in, finish the application, walk away with a real pre-approval letter.
Sign the Buyers Agency Agreement
The BBA is required by law in Florida before showings. We sign it together so you understand exactly what you're committing to.
Look at properties
MPR-aware showings, neighborhood matching, real-time market read. We keep going until we identify the right home for your family.
Craft + negotiate the offer
Concession strategy, contingencies, inspection period, appraisal protections — built around how the 2026 Tampa market is actually behaving.
Offer accepted = clock starts
Once your offer is signed by both sides, we move into the 21–30 day contract-to-close window below.
Phase 2 · Contract to close
21–30 days. Offer accepted to keys.
The window I generally aim for on a Tampa VA contract-to-close. The clock starts the moment your offer is signed by both sides.
Day 1–5
EMD + inspections
Earnest money wired into escrow. Inspections ordered. Initial lender task list opens — you provide conditions and the file goes into underwriting.
Day 5–14
Inspection + appraisal
Inspection results in. Repair negotiations if needed. VA appraisal ordered. Lender works through your conditions.
Day 14–21
Clear conditions
Underwriting reviews appraisal, clears conditions, issues clear-to-close. Tidewater process ready if appraisal value came back low.
Day 21–30
Final walk + close
Final walk-through, closing disclosure review, signing day. Keys handed over. I'm at the closing table with you.
Condos with project approval pending or homes needing significant repairs run longer. PCS-orders timing can compress this window — let me know your report-date if it's tight.
Get started
What I need to help you.
You don't need everything below to start a conversation — but the more of these you have ready, the faster we move.
Proof of service
DD-214 (for veterans) or current orders + LES (for active duty). If you can't find your DD-214, the National Archives eVetRecs system gets you a copy.
Certificate of Eligibility (COE) — optional
If you already have it, great. If not, your lender pulls it in 30 seconds through WebLGY once we get to that step. Don't sweat it.
Time horizon
Are you 30 days out, 90 days, 12 months? PCS orders with a report-date? Retiring? The timeline shapes everything that follows.
Budget or BAH ceiling
Rough monthly comfort range or BAH amount for active duty. Doesn't have to be exact — we'll dial it in with the lender.
Geographic preference
MacDill commute zone? Specific neighborhood? Schools? Or fully open and looking for guidance? Either is fine.
Anything specific you need
Pool. Garage. ADA-accessible. Number of bedrooms for a growing family. Quiet street. Anything that's a non-negotiable for you and your family.
Where Tampa veterans buy
Greater Tampa Bay neighborhoods, by what they do well.
South Tampa
10–15 min to MacDill — Hyde Park, Bayshore, Westshore
Brandon
30–45 min to MacDill — lower price points, family-friendly
Riverview
Brandon-adjacent — newer construction, growing inventory
Wesley Chapel
North Tampa — schools, retirement-friendly options
New Tampa
I-75 corridor — value plays for first-time buyers
St. Petersburg
Across the bridge — 25–35 min to MacDill, Beach Drive condos
Start the conversation
Tell Me Where You Are. I'll Meet You There.
Whether you're ready to write an offer next week or just trying to figure out if your VA benefit is worth using right now, drop your details below. I respond personally, usually within a business day.
- No script, no scheduled drip campaign.
- Direct line to me, not a call center.
- Free guides on the site cover most of the questions.