Military Families Guide, Updated for 2026

Assumable Mortgages for Military Families in Colorado Springs

Fort Carson, Peterson, Schriever — if you're PCSing to the Springs or stationed here already, your next home might come with a 2-3% rate attached. Here's how.

Why Military Families Have a Unique Advantage

I've closed over 90 assumption deals in Colorado, and military families are consistently the best-positioned buyers in this market. Here's why.

PCS creates constant turnover. Fort Carson alone has roughly 25,000 active-duty soldiers, plus Peterson Space Force Base and Schriever Space Force Base. Every year, thousands of families get orders and need to sell. Many of those homes have VA loans originated in 2019-2022 at rates between 2.25% and 3.5%. When those families PCS out, those low-rate loans become available to you.

Every VA loan is eligible for assumption. It's written into the loan documents. The VA actually sent a circular to lenders in 2023 reminding them they must process assumptions or risk losing their ability to service VA loans. The government is on your side here.

Colorado Springs is one of the highest-concentration military markets in the country. That means more VA loans, more PCS turnover, and more assumable inventory than almost anywhere else. We maintain the largest list of assumable properties in Colorado, and the Springs consistently has the most VA listings.

Whether you're an E-5 PCSing to Carson or an O-4 at Peterson, the math works the same way: assume a 2.75% VA loan instead of getting a new one at 6.5%, and you'll save $500-$1,500 every single month. That's BAH money that stays in your pocket.

VA Loan Assumptions Explained

A VA loan assumption lets you take over the seller's existing VA mortgage — same balance, same interest rate, same terms. The loan is legally transferred into your name through the lender's full approval process. This is not subject-to. It's fully legal and lender-approved.

How entitlement works: This is the part that confuses people, so let me break it down clearly.

Veteran Buyer

If you're a veteran or active duty, you can substitute your own VA entitlement. The seller gets their entitlement back immediately and can use it for their next home at the new duty station. This is the cleanest scenario and the easiest sell for VA sellers.

Non-Veteran Buyer

Non-veterans can absolutely assume VA loans. The seller's entitlement stays tied to the property until the loan is paid off. But most sellers still have remaining entitlement — in El Paso County with an $806,500 limit, a $400K original loan leaves $406,500 in remaining entitlement.

No PMI. Ever. VA assumptions carry no private mortgage insurance. On a $450K loan, that alone saves you $200-$400/month compared to an FHA or conventional loan.

The VA funding fee on an assumption is just 0.5% of the loan balance — far less than the 1.25-3.3% on a new VA loan origination. Disabled veterans are exempt entirely.

Full VA assumption process in Colorado → · Can non-veterans assume VA loans? →

The Math for Military Buyers

Let me show you what this looks like with real numbers. Take a $450,000 home near Fort Carson with a VA loan originated in 2021 at 2.75%.

New Conventional @ 6.5%Assumed VA @ 2.75%
Loan Amount$427,500$410,000
Monthly P&I$2,703$1,674
Monthly Savings--$1,029
Annual Savings--$12,348
PMI / MIP$200-$350/mo$0
30-Year Interest Savings--~$330,000

That's over $1,000/month back in your pocket. For an E-6 with a BAH of around $2,100 in Colorado Springs, that's the difference between your housing allowance barely covering your mortgage and having $1,000+ left over every month.

The equity gap: On this example, the remaining loan balance is $410K on a $450K home — that's a $40K equity gap. Many military families cover this with savings, gift funds, or our partner lender's second mortgage program (as little as 5% down on the gap). Learn more about the equity gap →

See the full math for military buyers → · Assumable vs conventional in 2026 →

The Math for Military Sellers

If you're PCSing out of the Springs and sitting on a 2-3% VA loan, your low rate is a weapon. Here's why.

Your rate attracts more buyers. When you list your home as assumable, you're not just selling a house — you're selling a 2.75% mortgage. In a market where everyone else is paying 6.5%+, that's a massive differentiator. We consistently see assumable listings get more showings, faster offers, and higher sale prices than comparable non-assumable homes.

Seller Example:

Your home's value$450,000
Your VA loan balance (2.75%)$410,000
Buyer's monthly savings vs. new loan$1,029/mo
Buyer's lifetime savings~$330,000

That $330K in lifetime savings creates a buyer willing to pay full asking price — or even above. We've seen assumable properties sell at a premium because the rate is worth more than any concession.

For veterans with entitlement concerns: if the buyer is also a veteran and substitutes their entitlement, yours is freed up immediately for your next duty station purchase. And if the buyer is non-veteran, you likely still have remaining entitlement available.

Guide for Fort Carson sellers →

Fort Carson Area VA Listings

Here are some of the lowest-rate VA assumable listings in the Colorado Springs area right now. These update daily from our full inventory.

The Process (Step by Step)

The assumption process takes 45-90 days. A bit longer than a traditional closing, but our team handles the heavy lifting. Here's the timeline:

1

Get PCS Orders (or Decide to Buy)

As soon as you know you're coming to the Springs — or if you're already stationed here and renting — reach out. We'll send you the full list of assumable VA properties in the area and start narrowing down options.

2

Pre-Qualification

Soft credit pull that won't impact your score. We look at income (including BAH), credit history, and your equity gap coverage plan. Pre-qual is good for about 6 months.

3

Find Your Home and Make an Offer

We help you identify the best assumable VA listings near your base. Offers on assumables specify assumption financing instead of a new loan. I recommend full-price offers — the seller is giving up their rate.

4

Assumption Application

You apply with the seller's current loan servicer. Our assumption processor handles all communication with the bank, tracks documents, and keeps the timeline moving. This is the part where most people without a specialist get stuck.

5

Underwriting and Approval

The bank reviews your financials — credit, income verification, DTI ratio. They'll ask for paperwork you've already sent them. It gets repetitive. Stay on top of it and let our processor push things along.

6

Closing

Title transfers, funds are disbursed, you get the keys. The loan is now in your name at the original rate and terms. If you're a veteran who substituted entitlement, the seller's entitlement is freed up the same day.

Deployed or TDY? We've helped families close assumptions while the service member was deployed. Power of attorney, remote signing, video walkthroughs — we make it work. Don't let a deployment stop you from locking in a sub-3% rate.

Non-Veteran Buyers: Yes, You Can Assume a VA Loan

This is one of the biggest misconceptions I run into. You do not need to be a veteran to assume a VA loan. The VA explicitly allows it. Any creditworthy buyer can assume a VA mortgage with the seller's agreement.

About 10-20% of VA sellers are open to non-veteran assumptions. We call these "hand raisers" and maintain a private list of them across the Colorado Front Range. The key hesitation for sellers is entitlement — their entitlement stays tied to the property if the buyer doesn't substitute their own. But as I explained above, most sellers still have remaining entitlement available.

Non-veteran buyers still get no PMI on the assumed VA loan. Same rate. Same terms. The only difference is the 0.5% funding fee on the assumption (veterans who are disabled may be exempt) and the entitlement dynamic with the seller.

If you're a military spouse, a civilian working near a base, or anyone else — don't count yourself out. Some of our best deals have been non-veteran assumptions on VA loans with rates in the low 2s.

Full guide: Can non-veterans assume VA loans? → · VA assumable mortgages for Colorado Springs buyers →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I assume a VA loan if I'm PCSing to Fort Carson?

Absolutely. If you're PCSing to Fort Carson, Peterson, or Schriever, you can assume an existing VA loan in the Colorado Springs area. If you're a veteran, you can substitute your own entitlement, which frees up the seller's entitlement immediately. If you're not a veteran, you can still assume the loan — the seller just needs to agree.

What happens to the seller's VA entitlement when I assume their loan?

If the buyer is a veteran and substitutes their own entitlement, the seller gets theirs back immediately and can use it for their next home. If the buyer is not a veteran, the seller's entitlement stays tied to the property until the loan is paid off or refinanced. However, most sellers still have remaining entitlement based on the county loan limit minus their original loan amount.

How long does a VA loan assumption take during a PCS move?

The assumption process takes 45-90 days on average. We recommend starting the process as soon as you get PCS orders. Some servicers can close in 30 days. Using an assumption processor — which we include on every deal — keeps the timeline tight.

Do I need a VA funding fee when assuming a VA loan?

Yes, there is a VA funding fee of 0.5% of the loan balance on assumptions. That's significantly less than the 1.25-3.3% funding fee on a new VA loan. On a $400K loan, that's $2,000 vs. $5,000-$13,200. Disabled veterans are exempt from the funding fee entirely.

Can my spouse assume a VA loan if I'm deployed?

Yes. A spouse can assume a VA loan with proper power of attorney documentation. We've helped several families close assumptions while the service member was deployed. The process requires some extra paperwork but is absolutely doable.

What if I already have a VA loan on another property?

You may still have enough remaining entitlement to assume another VA loan, depending on the loan amounts and county limits. For El Paso County with an $806,500 limit, if your existing VA loan is $350K, you have roughly $456,500 in remaining entitlement. We can run the numbers for your specific situation.

PCSing to the Springs? Let's Find Your Rate.

We've helped dozens of military families assume VA loans at 2-3%. Colorado's only team built exclusively around assumable mortgages.

Call or text: (719) 624-3472

Get the Colorado Springs Military Assumable List

VA listings near Fort Carson, Peterson, and Schriever. Updated daily.

Free. No spam. We personally respond within 24 hours.

By submitting, you consent to be contacted by The Assumable Guy via phone, text, and email regarding assumable mortgage properties. Message & data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out.