You must be a Texas resident who served in the US Armed Forces — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, Space Force, National Guard, or Reserve. Active duty members also qualify. There is no minimum service requirement for active duty. For veterans, you generally need an honorable or general discharge.
Surviving spouses of eligible veterans may also qualify. The VLB website has a full eligibility check tool at vlb.texas.gov.
Conventional lenders won't finance raw rural land at reasonable rates. Capital Farm Credit and Texas Farm Credit typically require 15-20% down on 15-year terms. The VLB land loan offers a 30-year term at a below-market rate — and only requires 5% down.
For Texas veterans looking at recreational land, hunting properties, or rural acreage in Medina, Atascosa, McMullen, or surrounding counties, the VLB land loan is often the best financing available — and almost nobody uses it.
Minimum: 5 acres. The property must be in Texas. There is no maximum acreage limit.
Apply directly through the VLB at vlb.texas.gov or through a VLB-approved lender. The process is similar to a conventional mortgage — credit check, income verification, appraisal. The VLB does not require a VA Certificate of Eligibility because it is a state program with its own eligibility determination.
Processing typically takes 30-45 days, similar to a standard mortgage. The VLB works with a network of approved lenders who handle the origination.
Between federal VA benefits and state VLB programs, most Texas veterans are leaving significant money on the table. I work with veteran buyers and can connect you with lenders who specialize in stacking these programs correctly.
Apply at: vlb.texas.gov · or call the VLB: 1-800-252-8387