The VA funding fee ranges from 0.5% to 3.3% of your loan amount depending on loan type, down payment, and whether it's your first VA loan. Here's the full 2026 fee chart, who's exempt, how refunds work, and what it means for Colorado Springs military buyers.
The down payment you actually need is probably smaller than you think. Here's how much a down payment on a house really costs in Colorado — from 0% VA loans to 3.5% FHA — plus the assistance programs that can cover part of it.
Mortgage insurance protects the lender, not you, when you put less than 20% down. Here is how PMI, FHA MIP, and the VA's no-mortgage-insurance structure actually work for Colorado buyers, and exactly how to get rid of it.