Each year on Veterans Day, I take a moment to think about the Americans I served alongside – their courage, their families, and the quiet sacrifices that never make headlines. It’s a day to remember those who sacrificed and to honor those still building their lives after service.
For many of us, that next chapter – coming home and finding stability – begins with owning a home. I know that feeling well. I remember buying my first home after leaving the Navy – the excitement of a fresh start and the thought of building a family after more than three decades of moving from one duty station to another. Like so many Veterans, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve the American Dream of homeownership were it not for 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 nation’s history. Since its inception, it has helped more than 28 million Veterans and Service Members become homeowners. But in today’s housing market, with rising prices, tight inventory, and the need for upfront costs like earnest money deposits and closing fees, that promise feels out of reach for too many Veterans, Service Members, and their families.
Contrary to what some might think, the challenge for most Veterans isn’t making the monthly payment. Many have strong credit and steady income, but the real barrier is cash savings. I hear from fellow Veterans every week who find themselves stuck at that final step – when closing costs alone are enough to delay or derail the homebuying process.
One of the core principles that guide our work every single 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 put one million Veterans into homes and is what inspired the creation of NewDay Home – a transformational new mortgage offering designed to ensure
Veterans get the boost 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 secure a mortgage with no money down and competitive rates. For those unable or unwilling to use personal savings for closing costs, the NewDay Advantage option provides an additional solution, financing those expenses over five years with no interest if repaid 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 a roof over your head. It’s about having a place to start a family, build a life, and feel part of a community. As a Veteran myself, I’ll 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 America’s Veterans and Service Members because we understand military life firsthand. Our team is made up of Veterans who know the meaning of commitment, discipline, and sacrifice – and we bring that same sense of purpose to helping those who have worn the uniform.
Too many Veterans still face bias and misconceptions in the homebuying process. Some sellers and agents assume VA loans take longer to close or are harder to finance – when in fact, they’re among the most secure and best-performing loans in the market. These misconceptions can make a Veteran’s offer less competitive than it should be.
At NewDay USA, I also proudly lead the Admiral Certification Program, a first-of-its-kind national credential for real estate agents who serve Veterans and Service Members looking to buy a home. The program was created to address the unseen bias and outdated misconceptions that too often hold military borrowers back. By educating, vetting, and certifying agents across the country, we’re building a trusted network of
professionals who understand the VA Home Loan, advocate for these buyers, and share our mission to put one million Veterans in homes. These Admiral-Certified agents are trained to deliver the kind of service and confidence every Veteran deserves when using the benefit they’ve earned.
For me, this mission feels familiar. In the Navy, success came from preparation, teamwork, and always looking out for the shipmate beside you. That same spirit guides us at NewDay USA – Veterans helping Veterans, making sure no one is left behind and every family has the opportunity to build something lasting and real.
— Rear Admiral Tom Lynch, U.S. Navy (Ret.), NewDay USA Executive Chair
