Most agents picture a VA buyer as a mid-career NCO or a retiring officer. That profile still exists, but it's no longer the whole picture.

Gen Z veterans now hold a 12% share of the VA purchase market, triple their slice from three years ago. In the broader mortgage market, Gen Z buyers account for 3% of purchases. In VA, it's four times that.

VA purchase loans from Gen Z jumped 38% in FY2025. Every other generation was up low single digits or flat. Millennials, Baby Boomers, Gen X — none of them came close.

At Fort Carson alone, there are thousands of enlisted soldiers in their early to mid-twenties who are VA-eligible right now. Many of them have never bought a home. Most have thin credit files. That matters, and it connects directly to the next section.

Source: Veterans United Home Loans analysis of VA lending data, December 2025.

Why two credit scores are better than one.

Most retail lenders pull one credit score and work from there. That number sets the rate and, in some cases, determines whether the loan gets approved at all.

Wholesale brokers can access both FICO and VantageScore 4.0 on the same file and use whichever one is higher. The two models use different formulas, and for younger borrowers with shorter credit histories or thin files, VantageScore tends to come in higher. That's exactly the profile of the Gen Z veteran buying their first home in Colorado Springs right now.

Here's a concrete example. Suppose a borrower has a 680 FICO and a 720 VantageScore. At 680, they may not clear the pricing threshold that unlocks better rates. At 720, they do. On a $400,000 VA loan at current rates, that scoring difference can translate to a rate about 0.125% lower. That saves roughly $32 a month, $1,920 over five years, and $11,520 over the life of the loan.

Same borrower. Same loan. One score gets them a better deal.

A retail branch runs one score, quotes one rate, and moves on. Your VA clients won't know they left money on the table unless someone tells them before they walk into a bank.

Trends: VA rate slightly lower than last week, spread with conventional widening.

Rates reflect national averages as of June 15, 2026 per Bankrate's weekly lender survey. Rates change daily and are not a commitment to lend. Your clients' actual rate will depend on credit profile, loan amount, property type, and individual file characteristics. Contact Gene for current pricing.

Gene Richter, NMLS #2806488 · PBT Bancorp, NMLS #257781

🏠 Equal Housing Opportunity

The mid-month format is intentional. Some intel doesn't keep until the first of the month, and a younger buyer's window can close fast.

If you have a VA-eligible client in their twenties sitting on the fence, the financing side may be more workable than they think. Call me before you assume otherwise.

To review the full June issue, visit this link.

— Gene Richter, Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator NMLS #2806488 · PBT Bancorp NMLS #257781 · Colorado Springs, CO (719) 722-4278 · VASpotlight.com

🏠 Equal Housing Opportunity | This newsletter is intended for real estate professionals and does not constitute a consumer credit advertisement. Rates shown are national averages for informational purposes only and are not a commitment to lend. Not all borrowers will qualify. This content does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice — consult a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation. Gene Richter is a licensed Mortgage Loan Originator (NMLS #2806488) operating through PBT Bancorp (NMLS #257781), licensed to originate mortgage loans in Colorado.