Mid-Year Market Check

Mid-Year Market Check: Where Veterans Are Winning in Real Estate

real estate| Veterans
June 14, 2023•2 min read

We're halfway through 2023, and the real estate landscape has taken a turn. While rising interest rates and market uncertainty have slowed some buyers down, veterans using VA loans are still finding ways to win—especially those who understand how to play the long game.

Let’s take a look at where and how veterans are coming out ahead in the current housing market.

1. Winning with Multi-Unit House Hacks

Veterans who used their VA loan to purchase duplexes, triplexes, or fourplexes earlier this year are now seeing the benefits of rental income offsetting higher mortgage payments. Even with elevated rates, that passive cash flow is creating breathing room—and long-term wealth.

Hot markets:

  • San Antonio, TX

  • Fayetteville, NC

  • Boise, ID

2. Sellers Are Saying Yes to VA Offers Again

During the 2021–2022 frenzy, VA offers were often pushed aside in favor of cash or conventional deals. But in 2023, VA buyers are back in the driver’s seat. Homes are sitting longer, and sellers are more open to working with well-qualified VA-backed buyers.

Veteran Tip: Use this leverage to negotiate seller credits for closing costs or buy down your rate.

3. Veterans Are Locking in Equity with New Construction

Despite the slowdown in some areas, new construction homes are offering serious perks—like builder credits, interest rate buy-downs, and move-in ready units. Veterans using VA loans are jumping in and locking in instant equity by buying in new developments with room for appreciation.

Where it’s happening:

  • Las Vegas suburbs

  • Central Florida

  • Raleigh-Durham corridor

4. Refinance Ready in a Rising Equity Market

Veterans who bought in 2020–2022 with low rates are sitting on a goldmine of equity. And for those who purchased at slightly higher rates in early 2023, the VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL) is a built-in safety net to lower payments when rates drop again.

5. Short-Term Rentals + VA Loans = Passive Wins

Some veterans are using their VA loan to buy in vacation or tourist-friendly areas and converting part of their property into a short-term rental (where permitted). This combo of personal use + rental income is making real estate an income stream—not just a place to live.

Bottom Line

At the mid-year mark, veterans who understand the power of their VA loan are still winning—whether it's through smart negotiations, cash-flowing multi-units, or builder incentives. In a market full of mixed signals, veterans with a long-term mindset are coming out on top.

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