How NewDay Home is helping fulfill the VA’s promise of homeownership for our nation’s heroes

Every year on Veterans Day, I take a moment to reflect on the Americans I served with: their courage, their families, and the silent sacrifices that never make the headlines. It is a day to remember those who have made sacrifices and to honor those who are still building their lives after their service.

For many of us, that next chapter – coming home and finding stability – starts with owning a home. I know that feeling well. I remember buying my first house after leaving the Navy – the excitement of a fresh start and the thought of starting a family after more than thirty years of moving from one duty station to another. Like many veterans, I would not have been able to achieve the American dream of homeownership without the VA Home Loan benefit.

The VA created the Home Loan program in 1944 to help returning World War II veterans transition to civilian life. It remains one of the most successful government programs in our country’s history. Since its founding, it has helped more than 28 million veterans and service members become homeowners. But in today’s housing market, with rising prices, tight inventories and the need for upfront costs like earnest money deposits and closing costs, that promise feels out of reach for too many veterans, service members and their families.

Contrary to what some may think, the challenge for most veterans is not making the monthly payment. Many have strong credit and a stable income, but the real barrier is saving cash. I hear every week from fellow veterans who get stuck at that last step – when closing costs alone are enough to delay or derail the homebuying process.

One of the core principles that guides our work every day at NewDay USA is that veterans and service members have already earned the right to homeownership through their service and sacrifice for our country. That belief is the foundation of our mission to bring one million veterans into their homes and inspired the creation of NewDay Home – a transformative new mortgage offering designed to ensure

Veterans are given the impetus and opportunity to achieve homeownership.

NewDay Home combines the power of the VA Home Loan with a streamlined, fully underwritten process that allows qualified borrowers to get a mortgage with no down payment and competitive rates. For those who cannot or do not want to use their personal savings for closing costs, the NewDay Advantage option offers an additional solution, financing these expenses over five years without interest if they are paid back within 12 months.

That opportunity can make a real difference in a veteran’s life. The Federal Reserve reports that the average homeowner’s net worth is nearly $400,000, compared to less than $11,000 for renters. Owning a home is not just about having a roof over your head. It’s about having a place where you can raise a family, build a life and feel part of a community. As a veteran, I will never forget the day my wife Kathy and I got the keys to our first home. It wasn’t just the relief that the paperwork was done – it was the excitement of finally taking a step toward stability.

NewDay Home is the right partner for American veterans and military personnel because we understand military life firsthand. Our team is made up of veterans who know the meaning of dedication, discipline and sacrifice – and we bring that same sense of purpose to help those who have worn the uniform.

Too many veterans still face biases and misconceptions during the homebuying process. Some sellers and brokers assume that VA loans take longer to close or are more difficult to finance, when in fact they are among the safest and best-performing loans on the market. These misconceptions can make a veteran’s job offer less competitive than it should be.

At NewDay USA, I also proudly lead the Admiral Certification Program, a unique national certification for real estate agents serving veterans and service members looking to purchase a home. The program was created to address the invisible biases and outdated misconceptions that too often hold military borrowers back. By training, vetting and certifying agents nationwide, we build a trusted network of

professionals who understand the VA Home Loan advocate for these buyers and share our mission to place a million veterans in homes. These Admiral Certified agents are trained to provide the kind of service and trust every veteran deserves when taking advantage of the benefits they’ve earned.

This mission feels familiar to me. In the Navy, success came from preparation, teamwork and always looking out for the shipmate next to you. That same spirit guides us at NewDay USA – Veterans Helping Veterans, ensuring that no one is left behind and that every family has the opportunity to build something lasting and real.

– Vice Admiral Tom Lynch, US Navy (retired), Executive Chairman of NewDay USA

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