VA Home Loans in Colorado: Zero Down, No Mortgage Insurance, and a Lender Who Actually Gets It
You earned this benefit. Let's make sure you use it right.
The VA loan is one of the most powerful home financing tools available — zero down payment, no monthly mortgage insurance, competitive rates, and no prepayment penalty. But not every lender knows how to work a VA loan the way it was designed to be worked.
At Benchmark Colorado, we do.
What the VA Loan Actually Gives You
Here's what qualifying veterans are entitled to — and what too many people leave on the table because they didn't work with the right lender:
Zero down payment
Up to 100% financing for qualified veterans. You do not need to save up a down payment to buy a home.
No monthly mortgage insurance
Conventional loans typically require PMI under 20% down. FHA requires it for the life of the loan. VA has neither — real money back in your pocket every month.
Competitive interest rates
Because the VA backs a portion of the loan, lenders can offer rates that are often lower than conventional financing.
No prepayment penalty
Pay it off early whenever you're ready. There's no fee for doing so.
Flexible credit requirements
Benchmark's minimum credit score for VA financing is 580. We've helped veterans close who had been turned away elsewhere.
Reusable benefit
In certain scenarios, you can use your VA loan benefit more than once. Worth a conversation about your specific entitlement.
Why Benchmark — and Why It Matters for Veterans
Benchmark has been in the VA loan business for over 20 years. We are approved for automatic processing of VA loans and hold LAPP approval (Lender Appraisal Processing Program) — which means your loan is processed and closed entirely in-house. No waiting for the VA to approve the veteran or the property separately. That translates directly into faster closings.
- Certified Veteran Mortgage Specialists — not generalist loan officers who happen to do VA loans
- Free Certificate of Eligibility (COE) — we pull it for you, at no charge, as a service to veterans
- In-house underwriting, closing, and funding — your file doesn't get shipped to a call center
- Minimum guideline overlays — we know the VA guidelines, including the exceptions
- We train Realtors on how to present VA offers so sellers take them seriously
- Dedicated VA appraisal team approaching the process more aggressively than most lenders
No more will the veteran be taken advantage of. We have changed the way VA lending is done, and we will always do right by the veteran.
Diane Beaumont — Certified Veteran Mortgage Specialist
Diane Beaumont has been a Certified Veteran Mortgage Specialist for over 20 years, working out of Woodland Park, Colorado Springs, and Crested Butte. She's helped more than 11,700 Coloradans finance homes — a significant portion of them veterans navigating the VA process for the first time, or veterans who'd been told "no" somewhere else.
Diane's approach is the same whether you're buying your first home in Teller County or refinancing a property in El Paso County: she explains the process, tells you what to expect, and doesn't string you along.
If you're not sure whether you qualify, or you've had a complicated financial history, that's worth a conversation before you assume the answer is no.
A.D. Carter's Story
The following is drawn from a real Benchmark veteran's experience.
A.D. Carter served as a corpsman in Vietnam — what he describes as a suicide squad. When he came home, he tried to buy a piece of the American dream. Lost everything. Spent years trying to recover from that one setback.
He went through lender after lender. Application after application. Six months at a time, waiting for calls that never came with good news.
A friend finally pointed him to Benchmark.
"They got what you need. They're not going to waste your time with all that other garbage. They're going to do what they need to do. They're going to make it happen for you."
After years of trying, A.D. closed on his home.
"No matter how bad the battle is in the street, I can drive back to home, recoup, and get back into battle another day. And it's mine."
He's now the assistant adjutant of the Department of the District of Columbia, with 57,000 veterans in his network.
"I have played the game with all of them. There are a million mortgage companies out there. I don't care what they do. I know what these people have done for me. And I personally would go to hell and back for Benchmark, without question."
How the VA Loan Process Works
If you've never used your VA benefit before, here's how it goes from start to close:
- 1
Verify your eligibility
We'll pull your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) on your behalf, completely free, as a service to veterans. You don't need to make a trip to the VA. (You can also request a COE directly through VA.gov.) - 2
Pre-approval
You'll provide your military, personal, and financial documentation. If anything comes up, we'll tell you what it is and what to do about it — including a referral to a credit repair consultant if needed. - 3
Credit pull
With your permission, we pull your credit. Minimum score for VA financing: 580. - 4
Find your home
Once pre-approved, you'll receive a pre-approval letter to present to Realtors. We also train Realtors on how to make a VA offer that sellers will actually accept — see our notes on how VA offers work for sellers. - 5
Processing and underwriting
Because we process and close VA loans entirely in-house, your file isn't sitting in a queue waiting on a third party. Our underwriters know VA guidelines — including the exceptions — and have closed deals other lenders walked away from. - 6
VA Appraisal
We have a dedicated appraisal team and approach the VA appraisal process more aggressively than most lenders. Financing a cabin or rural property? See our notes on mountain property financing in Colorado. - 7
Close
You get keys. You own your home. For a deeper walkthrough, see our Colorado home loan process walkthrough.
Benchmark's Commitment to Veterans
This isn't marketing language. Benchmark's co-founder started Boot'n & Shoot'n in 2012 — an annual event that has raised over $5 million for veteran-focused organizations.
Primary beneficiaries include:
- Brain Treatment Foundation — provides scholarships for veterans to receive two weeks of intensive treatment for traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress.
- Third Option Foundation — fills the gap for members of the CIA's special operations community and their families, who are not eligible for the programs that typically exist for veterans and the wounded.
Two mortgage-free home grants have been given to deserving military families. Hundreds of veterans have attended events free of charge through sponsor support.
Ready to See What You Qualify For?
You don't need to be ready to buy today. You just need to know where you stand. Take the 2-minute quiz and find out what you'd likely qualify for — no phone call required to get started.
This calculator provides educational estimates only and does not constitute a pre-qualification, pre-approval, or commitment to lend. All loans are subject to credit approval and underwriting review.
What are you looking to do?
This takes about 60 seconds. You'll see a personalized estimate range at the end — no credit pull, no commitment.
Prefer a conversation before the quiz?
Schedule a free 15-minute call with Diane — or call her directly at (719) 687-2112.
Licensed in Colorado · Arizona · Florida · Montana · NMLS #247026
Schedule a Free 15-Minute Call
Diane will confirm a time within one business day.
Takes about 30 seconds.