Changes to VA home loan rules, fees and Illinois veteran benefits, with sources.
The SCRA mortgage interest rate cap limits pre-service VA loans to 6% during service plus one year. Illinois rules, how to ask, and the Oct. 2026 DOJ case.
IHDA VA loan help in 2026: Access Home gives up to $15,000, veterans skip the first-time buyer rule, and the money can cover closing costs. Requirements.
A VA funding fee refund is due if your disability rating is effective before your closing date. Who qualifies, how to request it, and a $8,600 Chicago example.
VA’s Sept. 15 reminder explained for Chicago: how remaining entitlement works, a Cook County two-loan example, the 3.3% repeat-use fee and occupancy rules.
Beyond the IRRRL fee hike, H.R. 6047 would count reserve training toward VA loan eligibility after 14 days and extend today’s funding fees to 2036. Where it stands.
Cook County property tax appeal deadlines for fall 2026: Lake Oct. 29, Jefferson Nov. 12, North Chicago Nov. 24, plus suburbs. Veterans: check your exemption too.
The 2026 VA appraisal fee in Cook, DuPage and Lake counties is $650 for a house or condo and $850 for a 2-4 unit building, with a 7-business-day turn time.
VA loan rates in October 2026: 30-year VA averaged 7.13% on Oct. 8 vs. 7.40% for Freddie Mac’s conventional average. Chicago payment examples and what to do now.
H.R. 6047 would raise the VA IRRRL funding fee from 0.5% to about 1.4%. It passed the House in May 2026 but has stalled in the Senate. What it means.
The VA Partial Claim Program launched June 15, 2026, and every servicer must offer it by Nov. 28. How it works for Chicago homeowners behind on a VA loan.