VA Home Loans in Nevada & Placer County, CA | Mike Faulkenberry – Veteran REALTOR®

Nevada & Placer Counties, CA · MRP · ABR® · VA Loan Specialist

You Served.
Now Own Your
Piece of Nevada County.

As a fellow U.S. Air Force veteran, Military Relocation Professional (MRP), and Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR®), I understand your service — and your benefits. I'll help you use your VA loan to buy a home anywhere across Nevada and Placer Counties — from Nevada City and Grass Valley to Auburn, Rocklin, Lincoln, and the Sierra Nevada foothills. Zero down. No PMI. No shortcuts.

★  Book a Free VA Consultation Browse Homes
VA Loan Benefits — At a Glance
  • ✓$0 down payment — buy with no money down
  • ✓No private mortgage insurance (PMI) — save hundreds monthly
  • ✓Competitive interest rates — typically below conventional
  • ✓Flexible credit requirements — VA is more forgiving than conventional
  • ✓Reusable benefit — use it multiple times throughout your life
  • ✓Limits on closing costs — VA limits what lenders can charge you
  • ✓No prepayment penalty — pay off early at no cost
📞  Call (530) 270-9219
✈ U.S. Air Force Veteran
🏡 Nevada County Native
★ Coldwell Banker REALTOR®
🎖 MRP — Military Relocation Professional
🏅 ABR® — Accredited Buyer's Representative
📋 CA DRE License #2246897

Do you qualify?

VA Loan Eligibility — Who Qualifies in California

The VA home loan benefit is one of the most powerful tools available to those who have served. Mike works with veterans across Nevada and Placer Counties — here's a quick overview of who qualifies:

01
Active Duty Service Members
Currently serving in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Space Force. Generally eligible after 90 continuous days of active service. Wartime service: 90 days. Peacetime service: 181 days.
02
Veterans, National Guard & Reserves
Honorably discharged veterans meeting service length requirements qualify. National Guard and Reserve members qualify via: (1) 6 creditable years in the Selected Reserve, OR (2) 90 days active duty under Title 10 federal orders, OR (3) 90 cumulative days under Title 32 orders with at least 30 consecutive days — an expanded path added in 2020 that many lenders still don't know about. Mike does.
03
Surviving Spouses
Un-remarried surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty or from a service-connected disability may be eligible. Also includes spouses of MIA/POW service members and those receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).

Not sure if you qualify? Call Mike at (530) 270-9219 — he'll help you check your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) at no cost.

Step by step

How the VA Home Buying Process Works in Nevada County

Mike walks every veteran buyer through each step — from your first call to the keys in your hand, whether you're buying in Nevada City, Auburn, Rocklin, or anywhere in between.

1
Confirm Eligibility & Get Your COE
Mike helps you verify your VA eligibility and obtain your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) through the VA's eBenefits portal — often same-day.
2
Get Pre-Approved with a VA-Approved Lender
Mike connects you with trusted local VA lenders who understand the Nevada and Placer County markets and can close on time.
3
Find Your Home & Make an Offer
With pre-approval in hand, Mike searches Nevada and Placer Counties for properties that meet VA guidelines and negotiates hard on your behalf.
4
VA Appraisal, Inspection & Close
Mike coordinates the VA appraisal, manages the timeline, and keeps everything on track until you're holding the keys to your new home.

Why it matters

The Real Power of Your VA Loan Benefit

Most veterans don't realize how much money their VA benefit saves compared to a conventional loan. Here's what sets it apart:

💰
Zero Down Payment
On a $600,000 home in Grass Valley, a conventional loan requires $120,000 down (20%). With a VA loan, you need $0 — keeping your savings intact for life after the move.
🚫
No PMI — Ever
Conventional buyers putting less than 20% down pay $150–$400/month in Private Mortgage Insurance. VA loans eliminate this entirely, saving you thousands each year.
📉
Lower Interest Rates
Because the VA guarantees a portion of the loan, lenders offer rates that are typically 0.5%–1% lower than conventional — translating to tens of thousands saved over the life of the loan.
🔄
Reusable Benefit
Your VA benefit never expires and can be used multiple times. If you've used it before, you may still have remaining entitlement — or be able to restore it after paying off a prior loan.
🛡️
Foreclosure Protection
The VA has a team of loan technicians who can intervene on your behalf if you face financial hardship, providing an extra layer of protection conventional borrowers don't have.
🏔️
Works Across Nevada & Placer Counties
VA loans work throughout Nevada City, Grass Valley, Penn Valley, Rough and Ready, Auburn, Rocklin, Lincoln, Loomis, and surrounding Sierra Nevada foothills communities. Mike knows which properties qualify and which to avoid in both counties.

Local expertise

Why Nevada & Placer Counties Are a Smart Choice for Veterans

Nevada and Placer Counties offer something rare: genuine community, breathtaking Sierra Nevada landscapes, and a cost of living that — while higher than inland California — is dramatically more affordable than the Bay Area or Sacramento suburbs.

From the historic charm of Nevada City and Grass Valley to the growing communities of Auburn, Rocklin, and Lincoln in Placer County, Mike knows every pocket of both counties — which neighborhoods veterans love, which areas have strong resale values, and which properties sail through a VA appraisal versus which ones to avoid.

As a Nevada County native, Air Force veteran, and NAR-certified Military Relocation Professional (MRP), Mike brings a level of specialized expertise that most agents simply don't have. The MRP designation means he's completed advanced training specifically in VA financing, PCS moves, and the unique challenges military families face during relocation — exactly what you need when buying in an unfamiliar market.

Schedule a Free Consultation →

$0
Down payment with full VA entitlement
2
Counties served — Nevada & Placer
10+
Communities served across both counties
USAF
Mike's branch of service — he gets it
100%
Commitment to every veteran client from start to keys

Common questions

VA Loan Questions — Answered

Veterans often have questions that their lender can't fully answer. Mike can walk you through all of these in person.

Can I use my VA loan benefit if I've used it before?+
Yes — your VA loan benefit is reusable. If you've paid off your previous VA loan (or sold the home), you can have your full entitlement restored. In some cases you can even have two VA loans at once if you have remaining entitlement. Mike can help you check your current status.
Are there VA loan limits in Nevada or Placer County?+
Since 2020, there are no VA loan limits for veterans with full entitlement — you can borrow as much as a lender will approve with zero down payment. Veterans with reduced entitlement are subject to county conforming loan limits. For 2026, the FHFA baseline conforming loan limit is $832,750 (up from $806,500 in 2025), with a high-cost area ceiling of $1,249,125. Both Nevada and Placer County limits are updated annually — Mike can tell you the current figures for your specific situation.
What's the VA Funding Fee and can I avoid it?+
The VA Funding Fee is a one-time fee paid to the VA to help keep the program self-sustaining. Current 2026 rates for purchase loans: first-time use with 0% down is 2.15%; subsequent use with 0% down is 3.30%. Putting 5% or more down drops the fee to 1.50% for both first-time and repeat users; 10% or more down reduces it further to 1.25%. The fee can be rolled into your loan balance rather than paid upfront. Important exemptions — you pay zero funding fee if you receive VA disability compensation, are a surviving spouse receiving DIC, or are an active-duty Purple Heart recipient. Starting in 2026, the VA funding fee is also tax-deductible for eligible borrowers who itemize. Mike can help you calculate your exact fee and determine if you're exempt.
What types of properties qualify for a VA loan?+
VA loans can be used for single-family homes, condos (on the VA-approved list), multi-family homes (2–4 units if you live in one), and manufactured homes meeting certain requirements. The property must be your primary residence. VA appraisals are stricter than conventional — Mike knows which properties across Nevada and Placer Counties typically pass.
How long does a VA purchase take to close?+
VA loans can close in 30–45 days — similar to conventional loans when working with an experienced VA lender. Delays typically come from the VA appraisal process. Mike coordinates closely with lenders and appraisers to keep your transaction on schedule.
Do sellers in Nevada & Placer Counties accept VA offers?+
Yes — and Mike knows how to write a strong VA offer that competes with conventional buyers across both counties. Some sellers have misconceptions about VA loans, so part of Mike's job is educating listing agents and presenting your offer in the strongest possible light. In both Nevada and Placer County markets, VA buyers absolutely win.

Be prepared

What to Have Ready — VA Loan Document Checklist

Gather these before your lender consultation to speed up pre-approval:

  • ✓DD-214 (Certificate of Release/Discharge from Active Duty)
  • ✓Certificate of Eligibility (COE) — Mike can help you get this
  • ✓Last 2 years of federal tax returns (W-2s and/or 1099s)
  • ✓Last 30 days of pay stubs
  • ✓Last 2–3 months of bank statements (all accounts)
  • ✓Government-issued photo ID
  • ✓Social Security number (for credit check)
  • ✓VA disability rating letter (if applicable — may waive funding fee)

"I served alongside people who deserved every benefit this country offered them. As your REALTOR®, my job is to make sure you actually use them."

— Mike Faulkenberry, USAF Veteran | REALTOR® | MRP | ABR®
CA DRE License #2246897 | Coldwell Banker Grass Roots Realty

★  Book Your Free VA Consultation Call (530) 270-9219
" ★★★★★

Mike made our VA home buying experience completely stress-free. As veterans ourselves, we needed someone who truly understood the process — and Mike delivered from start to finish. We're now in our dream home in Grass Valley with zero down. We couldn't be more grateful.

U.S. Army Veterans — Grass Valley, CA

Ready to start?

Your VA Benefit Is
Waiting to Be Used.

You earned this benefit through your service. Mike is a fellow veteran who will make sure you get every dollar of value from it — and find you the right home anywhere across Nevada and Placer Counties.

★  Book a Free Consultation Search VA-Eligible Homes

Or call directly: (530) 270-9219  ·  mikesellsnorcal1@gmail.com

Mike Faulkenberry | CA DRE License #2246897 | REALTOR® | MRP | ABR®
Coldwell Banker Grass Roots Realty | CA DRE Broker License #00873741 | 167 S Auburn St, Grass Valley, CA 95945
Licensed by the California Department of Real Estate. This page is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute a commitment to lend or financial advice. VA loan information is current as of 2026 and subject to change. Contact a VA-approved lender for loan-specific guidance. Equal Housing Opportunity. ⚖ Fair Housing is the Law.