2026 Military Homebuyer Readiness Survey
A 2026 Military Homebuyer Readiness Survey was conducted by the mortgage lender NewDay USA. The survey included over 1,200 active-duty service members and veterans. The results? Many are unaware of their VA home loan benefits, but nearly 7 in 10 said buying a home was a major life event.
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2026 Military Homebuyer Readiness Survey
Among respondents who do not currently own a home, 68% identified homeownership as a major life milestone. Only 7% of participants stated they feel “completely ready” to purchase a home in 2026.
Obstacles preventing service members and veterans from entering the housing market include:
- Rising home prices were cited as a primary obstacle.
- Respondents indicated that current income levels are inadequate to meet monthly mortgage requirements.
- More than 50% of active-duty respondents are carrying high-interest debt of more than $10,000.
- Saving for the initial costs, including a down payment, is a major barrier for those seeking a non-VA mortgage.
- Some borrowers struggle to raise closing costs even with a VA loan option.
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Satisfaction and Misconceptions
The survey found that 98% of respondents were satisfied with the benefits of VA loans, but also identified misconceptions about the program’s financial requirements. Many participants were unaware, for example, that VA loans typically do not require a down payment and waive the requirement for private mortgage insurance (PMI).
98% of survey respondents said the VA loan option resulted in a good home-buying experience, and 47% said they couldn’t purchase a home without the help of the VA loan program.
The survey identified financial barriers to home loans, noting that high interest debt carried by over 50% of active-duty respondents affects their ability to qualify for a mortgage due to high debt-to-income (DTI) ratios. For service members and veterans, these pressures also include military lifestyle factors, such as Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves and the expenses they can bring.
The financial challenges are not isolated, as the survey reflects broader U.S. real estate market trends, where many American citizens already feel priced out due to high mortgage rates and a competitive environment.
The survey concludes that while the military population has many who want homeownership, they are restrained by current economic conditions at press time and by insufficient knowledge of existing VA loan advantages.
Supporting Evidence
The survey discussed here isn’t the only one to acknowledge economic challenges to veteran home ownership. Military.com reports on a 2026 Gallup poll, “showing two-thirds of Americans report being priced out of the market while the smallest percentage recorded in years say they expect to buy a home within the next five or 10 years.”
Another poll notes that nearly 8 out of 10 American homeowners are currently unwilling to accept interest rates in the current home loan environment.
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About the author
Editor-in-Chief Joe Wallace is a 13-year veteran of the United States Air Force and a former reporter/editor for Air Force Television News and the Pentagon Channel. His freelance work includes contract work for Motorola, VALoans.com, and Credit Karma. He is co-founder of Dim Art House in Springfield, Illinois, and spends his non-writing time as an abstract painter, independent publisher, and occasional filmmaker.
