Often, yes—a VA loan can be better for veterans because it may allow 0% down and avoids monthly mortgage insurance. But "better" depends on your down payment, credit profile, funding-fee situation, and the property you're buying. In Woodbridge and Fairfax, the smartest approach is to compare total monthly payment + total cash needed, not just interest rate.

In Fairfax, VA, the simplest way to know what you can afford is to set a monthly housing budget first (payment + taxes + insurance + HOA), then confirm the price range a lender supports based on your income, debts, down payment, and credit. Your “max approval” and your “comfortable p.ayment” are often different numbers. The goal is a budget that still leaves room for savings and normal life.

Now let me search for specific blog posts that might relate to home preparation, selling process, or Virginia real estate market. FetchedReal Estate Insights & Tips | Johnny Sarkis Blog | Prince William CountyRealtor contactjohnny.com Based on my search, I found several relevant internal linking opportunities. Now let me create the optimized blog post with both internal and external authoritative links.