MacDill Air Force Base is one of the most significant military installations in the southeastern United States — home to US Central Command (CENTCOM) and US Special Operations Command (SOCOM). With thousands of active-duty personnel and military families in the Tampa Bay area, VA loans are one of the most commonly used mortgage products in Hillsborough County.
Va Loan Benefits for Macdill Buyers
- 0% down payment with full entitlement
- No private mortgage insurance (saves $200–$600/month on a typical Tampa purchase)
- Competitive interest rates
- Assumable loan — valuable if you transfer and need to sell
- No prepayment penalty
- Up to 4-unit multi-family purchase (if you occupy one unit)
No Loan Limit for Full Entitlement Borrowers
Active-duty and veteran buyers with full VA entitlement can purchase at any price in Hillsborough County without a down payment. The 2026 conforming limit of $832,750 only applies to partial-entitlement borrowers.
Va Funding Fee Waiver
If you have a service-connected disability rated at 10% or higher, you are exempt from the VA funding fee — saving 2.15–3.30% of the loan amount at closing.
South Tampa and Bayshore Boulevard Considerations
South Tampa and Bayshore Blvd properties frequently exceed $1M. Full-entitlement VA borrowers can still purchase with 0% down at these price points. For partial-entitlement borrowers, a down payment of 25% of the amount above the county conforming limit is required.
Bah and Va Loan Qualification
Base Allowance for Housing (BAH) counts as income for VA loan qualification. MacDill BAH rates for 2026 are among the highest in Florida due to Tampa's cost of living. We specialize in VA loans for active-duty buyers and know exactly how to structure BAH income for maximum qualifying power.