Shirley Mueller’s team handles VA construction loans in Florida. One team works with you from pre-approval through move-in.
Build your own home in Florida with a VA construction loan designed for Veterans, active-duty service members, and eligible surviving spouses. A VA one-time close loan covers construction and your permanent mortgage in one loan, so you don't need separate construction and long-term financing.
How does a VA loan work in Florida?
Florida has no state personal income tax, which helps both your monthly budget and the residual income figure used to qualify you.
A VA one-time close construction loan closes once, before construction starts, and covers the lot (purchase or payoff), the build, and the permanent mortgage. Loans up to $1 million are $0 down; loans over $1 million, up to the $2 million maximum, need 5% down. You make no payments during the 12-month construction period, and the loan carries a 15- or 30-year fixed rate. Veterans build near MacDill AFB and Eglin AFB and in metro areas from Miami to Jacksonville. Already own a lot? See VA construction loans on land you already own and our guide to Florida VA land and construction loans.
Eligibility for A VA Construction Loan in Florida
Eligibility for a VA One-Time Close Construction Loan in Florida has two parts: the service requirements set by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the credit, income and repayment review my team completes.
Key eligibility highlights include:
- Military service that meets VA requirements, or eligibility as a surviving spouse.
- Steady income, with residual income reviewed first.
- Acceptable credit: VA construction loans start at a 620 minimum credit score, and larger loan amounts may need a higher score.
- A Certificate of Eligibility (COE) issued by the VA.
- Intent to occupy the newly built home as your primary residence.
Most Veterans don't need to request a COE themselves; my team can usually pull it during the application. Check your eligibility.
Veteran Property Tax Exemption in Florida
Florida's property tax benefits for Veterans can lower your annual tax bill for as long as you own the home. These are claimed through your county property appraiser after the home is built and you've established your homestead; they aren't part of the loan.
Florida's Veteran property tax benefits, as described in the Florida Department of Revenue's guide for veterans and active-duty military, include:
- A total exemption from property tax on the homestead for honorably discharged Veterans with a service-connected total and permanent disability. A surviving spouse may be able to carry the exemption over.
- A $5,000 reduction in assessed value for honorably discharged Florida residents with a disability of 10% or more.
- A discount on homestead property taxes for honorably discharged Veterans 65 or older with a permanent, combat-related disability, equal to their service-connected disability percentage (s. 196.082, Florida Statutes).
Your county property appraiser decides eligibility and deadlines, so check with them once the home is complete. See exemption requirements by state.
VA Construction Loans for Veterans Relocating to Florida
A VA construction loan works the same way for Veterans moving to Florida for retirement, a new assignment or family as it does for those who already live here.
Highlights for relocating Veterans include:
- $0 down on loans up to $1 million for eligible borrowers.
- One-time close for the land and construction.
- No private mortgage insurance (PMI).
- Build in urban, suburban, or rural Florida locations.
- Room for custom features and energy-efficient upgrades.
My team helps Veterans relocating to Florida with eligibility, builder requirements, and the full loan process.
Are You A Builder Interested In Working with Veterans?
Florida builders don't need a VA builder ID to build for a Veteran using a VA One-Time Close Construction Loan; VA stopped issuing them. Builders must hold the contractor license Florida requires (contractors are licensed through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation), work under a fixed-price contract, and be approved by the lender before closing. See builder requirements.
Construction Considerations in Coastal Areas
Coastal living in Florida means building for hurricanes. A VA One-Time Close Construction Loan can finance homes in coastal cities including Miami, Tampa, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, and Pensacola. Homes must also meet VA Minimum Property Requirements (MPRs) for safety, structural integrity, and livability, along with the Florida Building Code's wind and flood provisions.
To withstand high winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surge, your construction plan should prioritize:
- Elevated Foundations: Homes in flood-prone areas are often built on elevated foundations to reduce storm-surge damage and meet FEMA and local floodplain requirements.
- Impact-Resistant Windows and Doors: These protect against flying debris and pressure changes during a hurricane.
- Reinforced Roofing: Roofs are designed with hurricane straps and reinforced materials to resist wind uplift.
- Proper Drainage Systems: Good drainage prevents localized flooding and water damage during heavy tropical rain.
These features add cost, so build them into the fixed-price contract from the start. Lot details, including the flood zone, should be part of your plans package for the VA appraisal.
Get Started Today
Have a lot picked out, or still looking? Call Shirley Mueller's team at 888-788-4977 to go over a Florida build, or start your application online.
Florida VA construction loan FAQs
Can I use VA loans for new construction?
Yes. A VA construction loan can finance building a new primary residence with $0 down on loans up to $1 million and no private mortgage insurance (PMI).
Can I build a home in a designated Flood Zone?
Yes, you can build in a designated flood zone with a VA loan. Flood insurance is required in FEMA special flood hazard areas, and the home must meet local floodplain building requirements and VA Minimum Property Requirements.
Does Florida weather affect my builder's payment timeline?
Weather can slow construction, which can shift when draws are requested. The builder is paid in draws as work is completed and inspected, and the construction period is 12 months, so hurricane season should be planned into the builder's schedule.
Does land zoning affect VA construction loan approval in Florida?
Yes. The property must comply with current zoning to meet VA Minimum Property Requirements. If it doesn't, it may still qualify as a legal non-conforming use if accepted by the local authority, but the appraiser must note this and confirm whether the home could legally be rebuilt if destroyed, since non-conforming zoning can affect marketability and value.
Can a VA appraiser review construction plans before the home is built?
Yes. A VA-assigned appraiser reviews the construction plans, specifications, and plot plan before the home is built to estimate its value "subject to completion." Inspections during and at the end of construction confirm the finished home meets VA Minimum Property Requirements.
What happens if my Florida builder is not registered with the VA?
Nothing changes for your loan. VA no longer registers builders for new or proposed construction, so there is nothing to register. What matters is that the builder holds the required Florida license and insurance and is approved by the lender before closing.
Does my Florida builder need a VA ID?
No. VA rescinded the builder ID requirement effective March 31, 2025.
What property types qualify for VA Construction loans in Florida?
Eligible property types include site-built and modular single-family homes, barndominiums, new manufactured homes (multi-width; single-width only from select manufacturers), and 2–4 unit homes when you live in one unit. Ineligible property types include attached homes, co-ops, container homes, working farms or ranches, and any lot where construction has already started. VA construction loans only cover proposed construction.
What is the minimum credit score on a VA Construction Loan?
VA construction loans start at a 620 minimum credit score, and larger loan amounts may need a higher score.
What are the benefits of a VA Construction Loan?
VA construction loans let Veterans build a custom home with $0 down on loans up to $1 million, no private mortgage insurance (PMI), no payments during construction, and one closing for the land, build, and permanent mortgage.
Can Veterans build homes near Florida military bases using VA construction loans?
Yes. Veterans and service members can build near Florida's many military installations, including MacDill AFB (Tampa), Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport, NAS Pensacola, and Eglin AFB (Fort Walton Beach area), often with $0 down.
Are VA construction loans available for new homes in Miami or Jacksonville?
Yes. VA construction loans are available for new homes across Florida, including Miami and Jacksonville. They cover land purchase and construction in a one-time close loan that converts to a permanent mortgage when the home is complete.