Near the bases
Where Oahu service members buy
| Installation | Nearby areas buyers look at |
|---|---|
| Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam | Ewa Beach, Hoʻopili, Kapolei, Pearl City, ʻAiea, Salt Lake |
| Schofield Barracks and Wheeler | Mililani, Wahiawā, Koa Ridge, Waipiʻo |
| Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kāneʻohe Bay | Kāneʻohe, Kailua, Kahaluʻu |
| Fort Shafter and Camp Smith | Moanalua, Salt Lake, ʻAiea, Kalihi Valley |
Hawaii specifics
VA in Hawaii: what to know
- No loan limit with full entitlement. If you have used VA before and still have a loan out, your limit is based on the county conforming limit: $1,249,125 on Oahu in 2026.
- Condos must be VA-approved. Many Oahu buildings aren’t. I check the VA list before you offer.
- Leasehold is allowed when the lease term meets VA requirements. Leasehold guide →
- PCS planning. You must intend to live in the home. After you move, you can keep it as a rental, and you may be able to restore entitlement later.
- Disability exemption. Veterans receiving VA disability compensation don’t pay the funding fee.
Already have a VA loan?
VA IRRRL and Rent vs Own
If rates dropped since you bought, a VA IRRRL can lower your payment with little paperwork. Not sure whether to buy at all yet? Join my monthly VA Rent vs Own webinar.
Common questions
VA · Oahu FAQ
Is there a VA loan limit on Oahu?
Not with full entitlement. With partial entitlement, the limit is based on the $1,249,125 Honolulu conforming limit.
Can I buy before I arrive on island?
Often, yes, with PCS orders and a report date. Talk to me as soon as you have orders.
Can I rent the home out when I leave Hawaii?
Yes, after meeting the occupancy requirement. Many Oahu service members keep their VA home as a rental.
Sources: 38 U.S.C. §3703 and §3729; VA Lenders Handbook (M26-7) ch. 3, 5 and 16; VA funding fee table (va.gov); FHFA 2026 conforming loan limits.
Written and reviewed by Richie TaylorHawaii mortgage broker · NMLS #1603145 · Kamaʻāina Mortgage Group Inc., NMLS #1276471Last updated October 15, 2026. Loan limits, program rules and guidelines change; figures reflect that date. Not a commitment to lend. More about Richie