Friendly and welcoming from day one — Molly says she was never afraid to ask a question, and Mel was easy to reach whenever the family needed her.
Molly M. · Wasilla, AKFamily purchase
The flagship benefit
VA loans, done the Alaska way
$0 down. No monthly mortgage insurance. Reusable for life. You earned it — Mel's whole job is making sure you actually get to use it, from JBER to Fairbanks to Kodiak.
I got out in 2019 after 6 years. Is VA still a thing for me or did it expire?
It never expires. Your VA benefit is yours for life — and you can use it more than once. Let me pull your COE and we'll know in 10 minutes.
60-second eligibility check
Think you might be eligible? Let's find out.
Three quick taps. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere — this runs entirely in your browser. The only way to know for certain is a Certificate of Eligibility, which Mel pulls for free.
my dad was a Marine. does that count?
Not for you, unfortunately — eligibility is based on your own service (or being the surviving spouse of a service member). But FHA or conventional 3% down might be a great fit. Let's talk.
Which best describes you?
Educational quick-check only, not a determination of eligibility. Final eligibility is established by the Department of Veterans Affairs via your COE.
The one cost people ask about
VA funding fee estimator
A one-time fee paid to VA, not to Fairway. It can be rolled into the loan, and many veterans are exempt. Slide, tap, see the number.
Use of benefit
Down payment
Estimated funding fee
$9,675
2.15% of loan amount
Can be financed into loanYes
Monthly mortgage insurance$0 — none, ever
Who can pay itYou, or the seller as a concession
VA funding fee percentages shown reflect published VA guidance and are subject to change by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans receiving VA disability compensation, certain surviving spouses, and Purple Heart recipients on active duty are typically exempt. Confirm your fee and exemption status with Mel.
VA myths, busted
Six things you've heard about VA loans that aren't true
You can only use your VA loan once.
The truth: The VA benefit is reusable for life. Once a prior VA loan is paid off (or assumed by another eligible veteran), your entitlement can be restored — and with remaining entitlement you can sometimes hold two VA loans at the same time.
VA loans take forever to close.
The truth: A VA purchase with Mel typically closes on the same timeline as a conventional loan. The slow reputation comes from lenders who rarely do VA loans. Mel does them constantly, and Fairway has dedicated VA underwriting.
Sellers won't accept a VA offer.
The truth: A well-prepared VA offer with a real pre-approval is as strong as any other. Mel talks to listing agents directly to explain how the VA appraisal and concessions actually work — that phone call wins deals.
You need perfect credit.
The truth: VA itself sets no minimum credit score. Lender guidelines apply, and Fairway's VA program is built for real-life credit. Mel will tell you honestly where you stand and what, if anything, to fix first.
The funding fee makes it more expensive than FHA or conventional.
The truth: The one-time funding fee can be financed into the loan — and there is no monthly mortgage insurance, which usually saves far more over time. Veterans receiving VA disability compensation are typically exempt from the fee entirely.
You can't use VA for a condo, a duplex, or new construction.
The truth: VA finances approved condos, 2–4 unit properties (if you occupy one unit), and new construction. Alaska condos need to be on VA's approved list — Mel checks before you fall in love with the place.
From "am I eligible?" to keys
The six-step VA loan timeline
This is how a VA purchase with Mel actually goes. Scroll and watch it light up.
how fast can we realistically close? my report date is in 5 weeks
Five weeks is very doable if we start the pre-approval this week. I'll flag the appraisal as a PCS timeline so it gets scheduled fast.
A 10-minute conversation
Text or call Mel. She'll ask about your service, timeline, and the kind of place you're looking for — and tell you straight whether VA is your best option (it usually is, but not always).
Day 1Certificate of Eligibility
Mel pulls your COE directly through the VA portal, often in minutes. If there's an entitlement question — prior VA loan, Guard/Reserve service, surviving spouse — she untangles it here.
Day 1–2Real pre-approval
Income (including BAH/BAS and gross-up where it applies), credit, and VA residual income — done properly so there are no surprises in underwriting. You get a letter sellers trust.
Day 2–5Shop with a VA-savvy agent
Mel coaches you and your agent on VA appraisals, minimum property requirements, and how to negotiate seller-paid closing costs and concessions.
Your paceUnder contract → clear to close
VA appraisal ordered, title, underwriting. Mel updates you at every milestone — and if the appraisal comes in low, she has the Tidewater and reconsideration process ready.
~3–4 weeksClosing day 🔑
Sign, fund, keys. Deployed or still at your last duty station? Remote signing and POA options are common and Mel sets them up early.
Done
VA in Alaska is its own animal
Three Alaska-specific things Mel watches for
Wells, septic & VA property rules
Much of the Mat-Su runs on private wells and septic. VA's minimum property requirements have specific water-quality and setback expectations — Mel gets the testing ordered early so it never holds up closing.
Remote appraisals & timelines
Alaska VA appraisers cover enormous territory. Mel knows the turn times by region and flags military-timeline files so your report date drives the schedule, not the other way around.
Building instead of buying
A lot of Alaskans build. VA one-time close construction financing lets qualified buyers finance the build and the permanent loan in a single closing — $0 down and no monthly mortgage insurance still apply. Builder approval comes first.
JBER — Joint Base Elmendorf-RichardsonAnchorage, AK · Air Force · Army
Fort WainwrightFairbanks, AK · Army
Eielson Air Force BaseFairbanks North Star, AK · Air Force
Clear Space Force StationDenali Borough, AK · Space Force
Fort GreelyDelta Junction, AK · Army
USCG Base KodiakKodiak, AK · Coast Guard
JBLM — Joint Base Lewis-McChordTacoma, WA · Army · Air Force
Fort Cavazos · JBSA · Fort BlissTexas · Army · Air Force
Already have a VA loan?
Two refinance tools built just for veterans
IRRRL — the streamline
Lower your rate or move from an ARM to a fixed with reduced documentation, usually no appraisal, and a reduced funding fee. Must provide a net tangible benefit — Mel will tell you if it doesn't.
VA cash-out refinance
Tap equity for improvements, debt consolidation, or to replace a non-VA loan with a VA one. Subject to VA and lender loan-to-value limits.
I bought in 2023 at a high rate. is an IRRRL worth it or is that a gimmick?
Not a gimmick — but only worth it if the math works. Send me your current rate and balance and I'll show you the break-even in dollars, not vibes.
Real clients, real reviews
Five stars.4.86 across 229 verified reviews
Verified on Experience.com, Zillow, Facebook & Google — highlights paraphrased here, originals one click away.
Went in with no idea how home buying worked; came out feeling educated and empowered. Meagan credits Mel’s VA loan guidance and says she won’t use anyone else.
Meagan R. · AlaskaVA loan
When the appraisal came in low and the seller balked, Mel sat down with both sides and walked through every option until the deal held together.
Shawn D. · Palmer, AKNo-agent purchase
Moving from Georgia to Alaska with a time-zone gap — Mel laid out multiple options, explained the pros and cons plainly, and kept every step seamless.
Christopher B. · Wasilla, AKRelocating from GA
Extra care and constant communication — Kristina says Mel made her money work for her, not the other way around.
Kristina J. · Puyallup, WARefinance
Easy to talk to, explained each step and what came next — no surprises anywhere in the process.
Gregory C. · Wasilla, AKPurchase
Great communication and a knack for keeping everything on track and moving forward on time.
Jeshua L. · Spokane Valley, WAPurchase
Very friendly and willing to answer any and all questions quickly.
Kailea V. · Palmer, AKFirst home
Friendly and welcoming from day one — Molly says she was never afraid to ask a question, and Mel was easy to reach whenever the family needed her.
Molly M. · Wasilla, AKFamily purchase
Went in with no idea how home buying worked; came out feeling educated and empowered. Meagan credits Mel’s VA loan guidance and says she won’t use anyone else.
Meagan R. · AlaskaVA loan
When the appraisal came in low and the seller balked, Mel sat down with both sides and walked through every option until the deal held together.
Shawn D. · Palmer, AKNo-agent purchase
Moving from Georgia to Alaska with a time-zone gap — Mel laid out multiple options, explained the pros and cons plainly, and kept every step seamless.
Christopher B. · Wasilla, AKRelocating from GA
Extra care and constant communication — Kristina says Mel made her money work for her, not the other way around.
Kristina J. · Puyallup, WARefinance
Easy to talk to, explained each step and what came next — no surprises anywhere in the process.
Gregory C. · Wasilla, AKPurchase
Great communication and a knack for keeping everything on track and moving forward on time.
Jeshua L. · Spokane Valley, WAPurchase
Very friendly and willing to answer any and all questions quickly.
Kailea V. · Palmer, AKFirst home
VA questions, answered
Straight answers to the questions Mel gets most
Who is eligible for a VA home loan?
Generally: active-duty service members, veterans, National Guard and Reserve members meeting service requirements, and certain surviving spouses. Service-length minimums vary by era and type of service. Mel confirms eligibility by pulling your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) directly — the fastest way to know for sure.
Is there a maximum VA loan amount in Alaska?
For borrowers with full entitlement, VA does not set a maximum loan amount; the lender determines how much you qualify for based on income, credit, and residual income. County loan limits only come into play if you have reduced entitlement from a previous VA loan that is still outstanding.
What is the VA funding fee and can it be waived?
The funding fee is a one-time charge paid to VA (not to Fairway) that keeps the program running; it can be financed into the loan. The percentage depends on first vs. subsequent use and your down payment. Veterans receiving VA disability compensation, certain surviving spouses, and Purple Heart recipients on active duty are typically exempt.
Does BAH count as income for a VA loan?
Yes. Basic Allowance for Housing is treated as qualifying income, and because it is non-taxable, lenders can often "gross it up" (count a higher effective amount) when calculating your debt-to-income ratio.
Can I buy a home in Alaska before I PCS there?
Yes — with orders in hand, you can typically close before your report date. Mel closes with buyers who are still at their previous duty station, deployed, or overseas using e-signing, remote notarization where allowed, and powers of attorney.
What is a VA IRRRL (streamline refinance)?
The Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan lets you refinance an existing VA loan to a lower rate (or from an ARM to a fixed) with reduced documentation, usually no appraisal, and a lower funding fee. It must produce a net tangible benefit for you.
Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation is not affiliated with, or acting on behalf of or at the direction of, FHA, VA, USDA, or any government agency.
Ready to use the benefit you earned?
One text. Mel pulls your COE, tells you where you stand, and lays out the plan — zero pressure, zero jargon.