Matthew Hager is a combat veteran mortgage broker in Colorado Springs who specializes in VA loans for active duty service members and veterans at Fort Carson, Peterson SFB, USAFA, and Schriever SFB. With 8 years of active duty Army service, 3 combat deployments, and 400+ loans closed, Matthew understands the unique needs of military families — from PCS timelines to BAH considerations to deployment scenarios. As a veteran who's used a VA loan himself, he brings firsthand knowledge and mission-first discipline to every file.
Why Colorado Springs Veterans Choose Matthew
Colorado Springs has one of the highest military and veteran population densities in the United States. Home to Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, the US Air Force Academy, and Schriever SFB, this is a military town through and through. Veterans and active duty families need a mortgage broker who gets it — who knows what a PCS order looks like, who understands BAH, who's been through the VA system themselves.
That's me. I've been in your boots. I've used a VA loan. I've PCS'd with a family. And I've made it my mission to serve the military community I was part of for 8 years on active duty.
VA Loan Benefits at a Glance
- $0 Down Payment — Finance up to 100% of the home's value
- No PMI — Unlike conventional loans with less than 20% down
- Competitive Rates — VA loans typically have lower rates than conventional
- Easier Qualification — More flexible credit and debt-to-income requirements
- No Prepayment Penalty — Pay off your loan early without fees
- Assumable — Your VA loan can be assumed by a qualified buyer when you sell
- Funding Fee Waivers — Veterans with 10%+ disability rating pay no funding fee
- Reuse Your Benefit — Use your VA loan multiple times throughout your life
VA Loan Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a VA loan in Colorado Springs, you must meet service requirements and obtain a Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from the VA. Here's who qualifies:
- Active Duty: 90 consecutive days during wartime, 181 days during peacetime
- Veterans: 90 days wartime, 181 days peacetime, or 6 years in Reserves/National Guard
- Surviving Spouses: Unremarried spouses of service members who died in the line of duty
- Service-Connected Disability: Veterans receiving VA disability compensation
I'll pull your COE for you — just give me your DD-214 or active duty orders and I'll handle the rest.
VA Loan Process Timeline
- Pre-Approval (1-2 days): I review your finances, pull your COE, and get you pre-approved
- House Hunt: You find your home with your realtor. I'm available to answer questions throughout
- Under Contract (Day 1): You're under contract. I order the VA appraisal immediately
- Processing (Days 2-20): My team collects documents, verifies employment, and processes the file
- Underwriting (Days 21-30): Underwriter reviews and issues conditional approval
- Clear to Close (Days 31-45): Conditions cleared, closing disclosure issued, you close and get keys
VA Loans by Military Installation
I serve every military installation in Colorado Springs. Click your base for location-specific guidance:
- Fort Carson VA Loans — Army Infantry families, PCS buying, 4th ID area
- Peterson Space Force Base VA Loans — Space Force & Air Force, Powers Corridor
- Schriever SFB VA Loans — Falcon area, new construction, GPS ops
- USAFA VA Loans — Air Force Academy, Monument, Flying Horse
Active duty service members face unique challenges when buying a home — PCS orders, deployment timelines, BAH considerations, and the uncertainty of military life. I've been through all of it. Here's how I help:
- PCS-Friendly Timelines: I can close fast when you have a narrow window between orders
- Remote Closing: If you're deployed or TDY, we can coordinate a remote closing with power of attorney
- BAH Optimization: I structure loans to maximize your BAH benefit
- VA Renovation Loans: Use your VA benefit to buy and renovate a fixer-upper in one loan
- Jumbo VA: For homes above conforming limits, I have lenders who do jumbo VA loans
Common VA Loan Mistakes to Avoid
- Not getting pre-approved first: In a competitive market like Colorado Springs, sellers want to see a strong pre-approval letter. Don't start house hunting without one.
- Making large purchases before closing: Don't finance a car, open new credit cards, or make major purchases while your loan is in process. It can kill your approval.
- Not understanding the VA appraisal: VA appraisals include minimum property requirements. The home must meet certain safety and habitability standards. Work with a realtor who knows VA transactions.
- Using a lender who doesn't specialize in VA loans: Big banks often fumble VA loans. Work with a veteran broker who does these every day.
- Not shopping around: Even with a VA loan, rates and fees vary by lender. I shop 60+ banks to find your best option.
Ready to Use Your VA Benefit?
Whether you're active duty at Fort Carson, a veteran living in Colorado Springs, or stationed elsewhere and looking to buy in Colorado, I'm here to help you use your hard-earned VA loan benefit.
Start Your VA Loan ApplicationFrequently Asked Questions
Yes. If you're a veteran, active duty service member, or surviving spouse, you can use a VA loan to buy a home in Colorado Springs. There are no loan limits for VA loans in El Paso County, and you can finance up to 100% of the home's value with no down payment and no PMI.
As of 2020, there are no loan limits for VA loans anywhere in the United States, including El Paso County Colorado. You can finance up to 100% of the home's value with no down payment, subject to lender requirements and your entitlement.
No. VA loans allow eligible borrowers to finance up to 100% of the home's purchase price with no down payment required. This is one of the biggest benefits of the VA loan program.
Yes. You can use a VA loan multiple times throughout your life. If you've paid off your previous VA loan or sold the home, you may have full entitlement available again.
Matthew Hager at The Hager Home Team is a combat veteran mortgage broker who specializes in VA loans for active duty at Fort Carson, Peterson SFB, USAFA, and Schriever SFB. As a veteran who's used a VA loan himself, he understands the unique needs of military families.
The VA funding fee varies based on your service category, down payment amount, and whether it's your first or subsequent use. For most first-time users with no down payment, the funding fee is 2.15% of the loan amount. Veterans with 10%+ disability are exempt.
Yes. The VA funding fee can be financed into your loan amount, meaning you don't need to pay it out of pocket at closing. This keeps your upfront costs minimal.
Most VA loans close in 30-45 days. VA loans can sometimes take a bit longer due to the VA appraisal and property requirements, but I've closed VA loans in as little as 21 days when needed.
Have more questions about VA loans in Colorado Springs?
Call me directly at (719) 600-9747 or email mhager@xperthomelending.com.