This one trips people up. Because the VA loan requires the property to be your primary residence, many buyers assume that means they have to live there forever or that they can’t move if something changes. Not true. Let’s break down what the VA actually means by “primary residence,” and what that looks like in real life.
What the VA Means by “Primary Residence”
According to VA loan guidelines, a primary residence is a property where the veteran or service member intends to live as their home, full-time, within a reasonable period of time after closing. That’s it.
There’s no “you have to stay X number of years” rule.
There’s no restriction against moving later.
There’s no requirement to notify the VA if your plans change down the road.
The 60-Day Rule
The VA expects you to occupy the property within 60 days of closing. That works fine for most people, but there are exceptions such as:
In those cases, you may be allowed to occupy later or have your spouse or child occupy on your behalf, with approval and documentation. I’ve helped buyers close from overseas while on active duty and move in weeks or months later, depending on the scenario.
What You Can’t Do
Intent matters. And the VA takes that seriously.
But Can I Move Later?
Yes. Life happens.
All of those are valid reasons to move.
As long as you initially lived in the home and treated it as your primary residence, you’re good. In fact, many veterans use their first VA loan to buy a starter home, then move later and rent it out, then reuse their benefit on the next property. No problem with that, we can do it all day!
Real Talk: It Comes Down to Intent
The VA doesn’t expect you to predict the future.
They just want to make sure the loan is used to buy a home you actually intend to live in and not a workaround to buy a rental or flip. If your plan is solid and your move-in timeline is realistic, we can make it work.
