★★★★★ 5.0 — Based on 180+ Google reviews
The John Shea Team at Bay Capital Mortgage · Licensed NMLS #455896 · Odenton, Maryland
VA Home Loans for Eligible Buyers
VA home loan guidance for eligible Veterans, active duty service members, and surviving spouses. Based in Odenton, Maryland, and licensed to help buyers in Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, and Florida. This page explains eligibility, entitlement, funding fees, BAH, appraisals, and cash to close in plain language. Fort Meade PCS planning is covered as a local section for buyers relocating to the Fort Meade area.
Local guidance from Maryland mortgage specialists who walk you through every step, from pre-approval to closing.
Free, no obligation. You speak with John Shea, a mortgage lender, not a call center.
Soft credit check only to start.
Chairman's Circle
Bay Capital Mortgage
2020
Preferred Partner
Chesapeake Real Producers
2026
President's Club
Bay Capital Mortgage 2025
Serving homebuyers across Maryland, plus VA options in DC and Virginia.
★★★★★ 5.0 — Based on 180+ Google reviews
Licensed NMLS #455896 · Odenton office · In-house underwriting through Bay Capital Mortgage
VA Home Loans for Eligible Buyers
VA home loan guidance for eligible Veterans, active duty service members, and surviving spouses. Based in Odenton, Maryland, and licensed to help buyers in Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, and Florida. This page explains eligibility, entitlement, funding fees, BAH, appraisals, and cash to close in plain language. Fort Meade PCS planning is covered as a local section for buyers relocating to the Fort Meade area.
Local guidance from Maryland mortgage specialists who walk you through every step, from pre-approval to closing.
Free, no obligation. You speak with John Shea, a mortgage lender, not a call center.
Soft credit check only to start.
Chairman's Circle
Bay Capital Mortgage
2020
Preferred Partner
Chesapeake Real Producers
2026
President's Club
Bay Capital Mortgage 2025
Serving homebuyers across Maryland, plus VA options in DC and Virginia.
20 Years Serving Maryland
(since 2006)
NMLS #455896
& #39610
5.0★ - 180+
Google Reviews
In-House
Process, Underwriting, Closing & Funding
Equal Housing
Lender
Quick answer: The John Shea Team is a mortgage lender under Bay Capital Mortgage Corporation that originates VA home loans for eligible buyers. John Shea, NMLS #455896, works from Odenton, Maryland, and is licensed in Maryland, DC, Virginia, and Florida. VA loans are backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Many eligible buyers can purchase with no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance. A VA funding fee may apply unless you are exempt. Zero down does not mean zero cash to close. Pre-qualification is not a commitment to lend. Not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs or any government agency.
Who this VA page is for
Eligible Veterans, active duty service members, and surviving spouses
Buyers using VA entitlement for a primary residence
Households comparing payment, cash to close, funding fees, and entitlement before they write an offer
Military buyers relocating near Fort Meade who need PCS and BAH planning (see local section below)
This is not an FHA page and not a first-time-homebuyer / Maryland Mortgage Program page. Those stay on FHA Loans and the First-Time Homebuyer Guide for Maryland.
Key VA loan benefits
Often no down payment when entitlement and lender approval support it
No monthly mortgage insurance (unlike FHA MIP or Conventional PMI)
Competitive structures for primary-residence purchases
Can be used again in many cases when entitlement is restored or remaining entitlement is available
In-house processing, underwriting, closing, and funding through Bay Capital Mortgage with one named loan officer
Compare with conventional loans or FHA only if VA is not the right fit for your file.
Eligibility, in plain terms
VA loan eligibility depends on service history and VA rules for Veterans, active duty, and qualifying surviving spouses. Your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) confirms whether you can use the benefit and how much entitlement is available.
John pulls and reviews the COE early so entitlement questions do not surface late in underwriting. Eligibility for the VA benefit is not the same as a loan approval. Lender guidelines, credit, income, assets, appraisal, and property rules still apply.
Entitlement and loan amount
For a borrower with full VA entitlement, the VA does not set a county loan limit on the guaranty the way many shoppers assume. What still applies:
Underwriting approval
Appraised value and acceptable property
Your qualifying income and debts
Any remaining entitlement if part of your entitlement is still tied to another VA loan
Remaining entitlement can change the down-payment analysis. If you still own a VA-financed home, or used VA before, John maps remaining entitlement before you write an offer so you know whether zero down is still realistic.
Real costs: funding fee and cash to close
VA loans do not include monthly mortgage insurance.
A one-time VA funding fee may apply. The percentage depends on factors such as down payment and whether this is a first or subsequent use. Some borrowers are exempt (for example, many with a qualifying disability rating). The funding fee can often be financed into the loan when guidelines allow.
Zero down does not mean zero cash to close. You may still need funds for appraisal, title, prepaid taxes and insurance, and other closing costs, unless seller credits or other allowed sources cover them. Ask for a full cash-to-close estimate for your purchase state and property type.
BAH, income, and timelines
When BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) appears on your LES and is expected to continue, lenders generally review it as documented qualifying income. That is not a promise that your full mortgage payment will equal BAH. Taxes, insurance, HOA dues, and debts still shape the payment.
PCS timing, home-search windows, and closing dates depend on the file, the contract, appraisal turn times, and the parties to the transaction. Remote closing (limited POA or remote online notarization where allowed) can work for some military buyers, but it is not automatic for every file.
Typical well-prepared VA purchases often close in a few weeks, but that is not a guarantee. John builds the calendar from your orders and contract dates.
Fort Meade and the local Maryland corridor
If you are relocating to Fort Meade for NSA, U.S. Cyber Command, DISA, or related assignments, local planning matters. Odenton, Severn, Hanover, Crofton, Gambrills, Millersville, and nearby markets are common search areas.
Useful local resources:
Fort Meade guidance supports the VA program page. It does not replace the broader eligibility, entitlement, funding-fee, and cash-to-close answers above.
VA loan Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are VA loans the same as FHA loans?
No. VA loans are backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for eligible Veterans, active duty, and qualifying surviving spouses. FHA loans are a different program backed by the Federal Housing Administration and are covered on our FHA page.
2. Does VA set a county loan limit if I have full entitlement?
For a borrower with full VA entitlement, VA does not set a county loan limit on the guaranty in the way many people expect. Lender approval, appraised value, and your qualifying profile still apply. Remaining entitlement can change whether you need a down payment.
3. Do VA loans have monthly mortgage insurance?
No monthly mortgage insurance. A one-time VA funding fee may apply unless you are exempt. Funding fee rates depend on factors such as down payment and prior use.
4. Does zero down mean I need no cash at closing?
No. Zero down means you may not need a down payment when entitlement and approval support it. Closing costs, prepaids, and other items can still require cash unless covered by allowed credits or financed costs.
5. How does BAH affect a VA purchase?
BAH that is documented and expected to continue is generally counted as qualifying income. It is not a guaranteed housing budget. John runs full PITI estimates for the property you want.
6. Can I use my VA loan again?
Often yes. If a prior VA loan is paid off and entitlement is restored, you may be treated like a first-time VA user for entitlement purposes. If entitlement remains tied to another property, remaining entitlement drives the down-payment analysis. Pull the COE early.
7. Where is The John Shea Team licensed?
John Shea originates from 1416 Annapolis Rd Suite B, Odenton, MD 21113, and is licensed in Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, and Florida. Verify NMLS #455896 and Bay Capital Mortgage Corporation NMLS #39610 on NMLS Consumer Access.
8. What if VA is not the right fit?
Ask about conventional or FHA. Program choice depends on your full file, not a website checkbox.
Common mistakes to avoid
Mixing VA up with FHA
VA is not an FHA loan and does not use FHA’s 3.5% down payment rule.
Fix: use this page for VA; use the FHA page for FHA.
Assuming zero down means zero cash
Closing costs still exist.
Fix: request a cash-to-close estimate before you tour at your top price.
Waiting to check entitlement
Second-time use and remaining entitlement change the math.
Fix: Let John pull the COE at the start.
Treating BAH as the full payment
Taxes, insurance, and HOA vary by address.
Fix: model PITI on specific properties.
Our Service Areas
Annapolis
Bowie
Laurel
Columbia
Ellicott City
Hanover
Elkridge
Start Your VA Loan Journey Today
If you’re a first-time homebuyer in Maryland, our team can help you secure an VA loan quickly and confidently. Take the first step toward homeownership today!
We’re a Maryland-based team, so we understand local home prices, neighborhoods, and programs that can help reduce your upfront costs.
Disclosures
John Shea NMLS #455896. Bay Capital Mortgage Corporation NMLS #39610. 1416 Annapolis Rd Suite B, Odenton, MD 21113. Equal Housing Lender. Equal Housing Opportunity.
Not affiliated with the Department of Veterans Affairs or any government agency.
Pre-qualification is not a commitment to lend. Information is subject to change. This is not an offer of credit. Verify licensing at NMLS Consumer Access.
