VA Loan Limits San Diego County | Max Limits & Calculator
For veterans and active-duty military homebuyers in San Diego, understanding 2025 VA loan limits is critical. These limits determine how much you can borrow with no down payment in one of America’s most competitive housing markets.
🔗 Need a lender? Explore our list of top VA loan lenders in San Diego.
What Are VA Loan Limits?
VA loan limits cap how much the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will guarantee without requiring a down payment. Though there’s no strict maximum loan amount, limits affect your entitlement and borrowing power.
Key Facts:
- No dollar limit for borrowers with full entitlement
- Limits apply only to partial entitlement cases
- San Diego’s 2025 limits are higher than most U.S. counties
2025 VA Loan Limits for San Diego County
As a high-cost area, San Diego’s 2025 limits are:
Property Type | Loan Limit |
---|---|
Single-Family Home | $1,077,550 |
2-Unit Property | $1,379,450 |
3-Unit Property | $1,667,450 |
4-Unit Property | $2,072,250 |
💡 These limits let veterans buy in pricier neighborhoods like La Jolla or Del Mar without a down payment.
Full vs. Partial Entitlement Explained
Full Entitlement
- ✅ No loan limit – Borrow any amount (with lender approval)
- ✅ $0 down payment required
- Typical for first-time VA loan users
Partial Entitlement
- ⚠️ Limits apply if you:
- Have an active VA loan
- Defaulted on a past VA loan
- May need a down payment for loans exceeding county limits
🔗 Learn more about restoring your VA loan entitlement
Calculating Your Maximum Loan Amount
Example for partial entitlement in San Diego:
- County limit: $1,077,550
- Used entitlement: $50,000
- Remaining entitlement: ($1,077,550 ÷ 4) – $50,000 = $219,387
- Max loan without down payment: $219,387 × 4 = $877,550
VA Jumbo Loans in San Diego
For loans above county limits:
- Down payment may be required (typically 25% of the excess amount)
- Stricter credit requirements (680+ score recommended)
- Example: Buying a $1.2M home? You’d need a $30,612 down payment for the amount over $1,077,550.
5 Steps to Secure Your VA Loan
- Get Your COE – Request Certificate of Eligibility
- Pre-Approval – Compare rates from San Diego VA lenders
- Home Search – Focus on VA-approved properties
- VA Appraisal – Mandatory for loan approval
- Closing – Sign docs and move in!
Debunking VA Loan Myths
❌ Myth: “VA loans have higher rates.”
✅ Fact: VA rates are typically 0.5% lower than conventional loans.
❌ Myth: “You can only use it once.”
✅ Fact: You can reuse VA loans multiple times (with entitlement restoration).
Pro Tips for 2025 Homebuyers
- Check your entitlement early in the process
- Improve your credit score to qualify for jumbo loans
- Work with a VA-specialized realtor – They know which homes pass VA appraisals
Conclusion
San Diego’s 2025 VA loan limits empower veterans to buy homes with no down payment in this expensive market. Whether you’re eyeing a condo downtown or a house in Poway, your benefits make homeownership achievable.
Ready to start?