Mike Baker | Making VA Loans Make Sense

VA home loans in Kansas & Missouri.
A clear plan for your next move.

You earned the benefit. Let’s make it work for your next home.

Buying your first home, making another move, or exploring a refinance? I’ll help you understand your options, work through the numbers, and take the next step with confidence.

The Rate Shop · Serving Kansas & Missouri

Mike Baker, Mortgage Loan Originator at The Rate Shop, helping VA borrowers in Kansas and Missouri

Free 12-page guide + planning worksheets

Making VA Loans Make Sense

Your VA Homebuying Game Plan
With Mike Baker · The Rate Shop

Understand your benefit.
Explore your possibilities.
Build your next step.

Start here. Take it at your pace.

Your benefit. Your home. Your game plan.

Get straightforward answers about your COE, $0 down, using VA again, finding a home, and planning for the years ahead—plus a simple checklist and space to map out your goals.

Free PDF · No form or email required · Keep it, print it, or share it.

Ready to explore homes? Text “VA HOMES” to 913-213-3335

Start with your goal

What’s your next chapter?

Your VA benefit can be part of more than one home purchase. Start with what you want to accomplish.

Buy a home.

Explore buying with no down payment, plan your monthly payment, and prepare to make an offer.

Plan my VA purchase →

Use VA again.

Keeping your current home? Let’s explore using your remaining VA benefit for your next primary home.

Explore my next move →

Refinance with a plan.

See how a different rate or loan structure could support your payment and financial goals.

Explore refinancing →

Your VA home purchase

A home of your own. A benefit built to help.

For eligible buyers, a VA loan can offer a path to homeownership with no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance. We’ll put those benefits into a plan for your budget and the home you want.

Estimate my payment →

Search homes for sale →

Let’s put the pieces together.

  1. Understand your benefit. I’ll help review your Certificate of Eligibility—the VA record of your home loan benefit.
  2. Find your comfortable payment. Include taxes and homeowners insurance, not just the loan payment.
  3. Plan the money for closing. Coordinate with your Realtor on seller-paid closing costs and an offer that fits your goals.
Build my VA homebuying plan →

Already used your benefit?

Your first VA loan doesn’t have to be your last.

Yes, it can be possible to have two VA loans at once. If you’re keeping your current home and buying a new primary home, remaining entitlement may open that door. We’ll review your benefit and how both homes fit your finances.

Our calculator gives you a starting estimate. Then I can review your actual Certificate of Eligibility and help turn the numbers into a plan.

Read the VA bonus entitlement guide →

A useful starting point

What could I buy with $0 down?

Explore your remaining VA benefit using the original amount of your existing VA loan—or the entitlement charged on your Certificate of Eligibility.

Estimate My VA Buying Power →

For VA homeowners

What could a refinance do for you?

Start with the result you want. We’ll compare your current loan with the options available and make the numbers easy to understand.

Explore a lower payment.

A VA streamline refinance—also called an IRRRL—can help eligible homeowners refinance an existing VA loan. We’ll compare the new payment, closing costs, and payoff timeline so you can see the value for yourself.

Review my VA refinance options →

Meet your guide

VA experience.
Everyday explanations.

Before starting The Rate Shop, VA lending was a major part of my work—both originating loans myself and leading loan officers helping VA borrowers.

Today, I bring that experience to buyers and homeowners across Kansas and Missouri. Bring me your questions and your goals. I’ll help you explore the possibilities and build a clear next step.

Get to know Mike →

Making VA loans make sense

Your questions. Straight answers.

Can I buy with a VA loan and no money out of pocket?

Yes—it’s possible. Combine the VA zero-down-payment benefit with seller-paid closing costs negotiated with your Realtor, and a purchase with no cash due at closing may be within reach. We’ll explore all your options and plan for any upfront items, such as inspections or earnest money, so you know what to expect from offer to closing.

Let’s explore my $0-down plan →

Is a VA loan only for first-time buyers?

No. Your VA home loan benefit can be used again. Whether you’re selling, keeping your current home, or returning to homeownership, we’ll review your entitlement and map out your next purchase.

Does paying down my VA loan free up my entitlement?

Your payments build progress toward paying off the loan, but entitlement isn’t automatically restored as the balance falls. Your Certificate of Eligibility shows the entitlement tied to your existing loan. I’ll help you understand what remains and what your next move could look like.

I heard VA appraisals are harder than conventional appraisals. Is that true?

Not automatically—and some of that reputation comes from older rules. VA updated its appraisal requirements in 2026 to reduce delays and make the process more practical, including changes to paint-related standards and simpler guidance for detached structures such as sheds and outbuildings.

A VA appraisal looks at the home’s value and basic safety and condition. That doesn’t mean the home has to be brand-new or cosmetically perfect. Peeling paint is not a one-size-fits-all issue; the home’s age and the condition involved matter.

Have a home in mind? Let’s talk through it with your Realtor so you can separate outdated assumptions from what actually applies—and build a plan to move forward.

See what VA changed → · Talk through a home with Mike →

What if I’m just starting to explore my options?

That’s a great time to talk. You don’t need a property picked out or every document ready. Tell me what you’re considering, and we’ll start with your questions, your comfortable payment, and a practical next step.

Explore more mortgage questions →

Put your plan into motion

Helpful tools for the road ahead.

Run the numbers.

Choose VA in the mortgage calculator and explore a payment that includes taxes and insurance.

Estimate my payment →

Get a second look.

Already have a loan offer? Send me the Loan Estimate and we’ll talk through the rate, fees, and payment.

Review my Loan Estimate →

Your next move starts here

Bring your questions.
Let’s find your path forward.

Mike Baker | Making VA Loans Make Sense

913-213-3335 · mike@rateshopkc.com

Mike Baker · NMLS #259076 · The Rate Shop · Company NMLS #2554765

Not using a VA loan? Explore all loan options →