Twice as Many Home Loans Were VA-backed in Dallas-Fort Worth Area

The housing scene for Dallas-Fort Worth veterans has been positive so far in 2020.

The market saw the number of Veterans United Home Loans double year-over-year, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs data.

The VA backed 1.2 million loans in 2020 than it did in the previous fiscal years combined and the most in the 76-year-old benefit program. It was the ninth consecutive year that VA purchase loans increased year-over-year.

Twenty-eight cities saw VA loan usage increase by 100 percent or more.
In the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area, the VA backed 24,934 loans, a 119.05 percent increase over 2019 when 11,383 loans were backed. The Austin-Round Rock area saw a 123.33 percent increase from 3,584 to 8,004.

D-FW had the fifth-largest increase in the nation year over year, behind Fayetteville, N.C.; San Diego; Honolulu, and Colorado Springs.

Nationwide, the number of VA loans rose at a 114 percent pace.

In VA refinance loans, D-FW ranked third for the biggest percentage increase, trailing only Houston and San Antonio. The number of VA refi’s in D-FW rose 886 percent.

Nationally, VA refinance loans increased 241 percent year over year. Refinance loans were up more than 100 percent for every veteran age demographic.

WalletHub added to the good news for Dallas-area veterans with its analysis of best cities for veterans to live. WalletHub compared the 100 largest U.S. cities across 20 key indicators of livability, affordability, and veteran-friendliness.

Orlando, Fla., emerged as the top city. But Texas cities also were well-represented in the analysis.

Fort Worth was ranked 23rd, scoring best in health (22nd). Plano was 32nd, varying 14th in quality of life. Arlington was 47th, ranking 18th in economy. Dallas was 48th, ranking 17th in health. Irving came in at 52nd and Garland 64th, both tying Fort Worth in health ranking.

Austin was the highest-ranking Texas city at fifth.