VA Loans: Does Zoning Matter?
VA home loans aren’t limited to properties in “traditional” house buying areas like suburbs or typical residential streets. Buyers can also purchase properties in urban areas and in city centers where a building might fall into different zoning than a neighborhood in the burbs.
Some VA loan applicants wonder if zoning can affect a VA mortgage loan application; after all, the VA requires the borrower to purchase property intended as a primary residence; is that still possible in an area with commercial zoning?
The short answer is yes. Veterans are allowed to apply for VA loans to purchase mixed use properties that include business spaces as well as living spaces. The basic rule is that the business portion of the property can take up no more than 25% of the entire floor space of the property. In many cases that is enough for a borrower to run a small business and live on the property as a residence.
Some buyers are concerned about purchasing buildings in mixed-zoning areas–they don’t want to run a business, they just want to purchase a home that happens to be zoned for both commercial and residential uses.
The rules for purchasing property in such areas differs a bit from buying a home in a residential-only area like a suburb. Because mixed use zoning can indicate a move toward complete commercialization of an area, the VA evaluates the “remaining economic life” of the property in question to make sure it is viable as a residence for at least the lifetime of the loan.
VA rules state that a property must have a remaining economic life as a residence for at least thirty years or more. If the property meets that criteria, the loan can be approved as long as the usual qualifications are met.
Once a loan is approved in a mixed-zoning area, the buyer can do a VA-to-VA refinance loan later with no problem; VA Streamline Refinancing requires no credit check or property appraisal so there are no re-qualifying requirements to meet.
If a borrower wants to get a cash-out refinancing loan, the property must be appraised once more–will it still meet the economic viability requirements if enough time has passed? Every property is different–the building must meet VA minimum property requirements for any cash-out refinancing loan application.
willie keys
Can you please provide me with some available small business loans for veterans
Joe Wallace
Sorry, but the VA doesn't do small business loans--but you should definitely check SBA.gov. They don't lend money but have plenty of advice for obtaining a small business loan.
willie keys
no zoning doesn't matter.
Tameka Jiles
I am inquiring on behalf of my client if we can do a VA loan for mixed use property. The property is zoned commercial 1.50 acres a commercial building on site in which will be leased to a church congregation and he will owner occupy the residence on the same land. appraised value $237,900. Accepted offer of $230K.. we are ready to move forward but need a better loan option. He is active duty military Any insight, please help! the surrounding area has both commercial and residential areas as well as New construction homes on one side and on the other A new Texas AM 4 year University. Please HELP!
Joe Wallace
The VA loan program does approve mixed use properties as long as the business use is subordinate to the residential nature of the property and business space does not exceed 25% of the total floor space of the home. Hope this helps!
Ken and Noel strewn
Hello, we have been turned down by 2 va lenders since our propert is zoned commercial. Even tho the va allows it we can't find a loaning institution to fund the loan final underwriting from both places declined loan because of zoning. Can anyone help us? Than you
Joe Wallace
Have you tried applying through VALoans.com? (A Private company and not a government agency.)
Neena Harmon
Can you get a VA loan for a property zoned agriculturally?
Joe Wallace
That may depend on several factors, but if the property qualifies it would be appraised as a residence only and would not get any appraisal value for the business operations aspect if any.