House Backs VA Home Loan Fix
The bill, championed by NAR, would ensure an even playing field for buyers using their VA home loan entitlement.
WASHINGTON — Congress is taking steps to make permanent a provision that the Department of Veterans Affairs implemented on a temporary basis last year.
Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 1815, the VA Home Loan Reform Act, by a unanimous voice vote. The VA Home Loan Reform Act aims to codify the temporary policy, implemented in June 2024, that allows veterans to directly compensate their real estate agents. This will provide certainty and ensure that veterans can continue to participate in the housing market on equal footing with other home buyers. The bill would also create a partial claims program to assist veterans who have fallen behind on their mortgage payments.
Professional representation is crucial for veterans to navigate the specific requirements of VA loans while remaining competitive in today’s market. The National Association of Realtors® strongly supported this legislation in a letter to House leadership emphasizing that real estate professionals guide veterans through the homebuying process and play an essential role in ensuring that home sellers see and consider a veteran’s offer.
"NAR is committed to ensuring veterans have continued access to the VA home loan and are supported with every opportunity to build on their service-earned skills and succeed in the workforce. Thank you for your leadership, and we look forward to working with you and the VA to find a permanent solution that benefits veterans," the letter stated.
The VA Home Loan Guaranty is a unique government program that allows veterans to purchase a home without a down payment. In 2024, VA lenders provided financing for roughly 490,000 home purchases and refinances.
"The VA's home loan guaranty is the only program that explicitly bans buyers from directly paying for professional real estate representation," says Shannon McGahn, NAR executive vice president and chief advocacy officer. "We are grateful to the House of Representatives for passing this measure and allowing veterans and active-duty service members the same advantages as other buyers in a competitive real estate market."
McGahn adds, "NAR remains committed to protecting the brave men and women who serve this country in the armed forces and ensuring they are given equal opportunities to achieve the American dream of homeownership."
© 2025 National Association of Realtors® (NAR)