Athens VA Loan Rates, Closing Costs & Stats

Athens, TN

A VA loan is a mortgage loan that’s backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for those who have served or are presently serving in the U.S. military. The VA does not directly lend, it guarantees the loans made by private lenders to veterans, active military personnel, and qualifying military spouses.

The most obvious benefit of VA loans is that no downpayment is necessary to purchase a home. They will also typically have significantly lower fees-- meaning that if you're eligible to receive a VA loan, it will likely be the most favorable option. VA loans come in 3 varities: purchase, refinance and cash out refis.

For additional benefits of VA loans, click here.

Athens's 46 lenders originated 157 VA loans during 2024. The total origination value was $47,175,000, with an average VA loan value of $300,478.

Athens VA Loans, 30 Year Fixed Rates

30 Year VA mortgages in Athens averaged 0.4% for the week of 2025-07-04, compared to the national average (all VA variants) of 0% for the same period.

Athens's average VA mortgage closing costs are $5,880.

The average rate for the prior week (2025-06-27) was 6.63% and one month ago for the week of 2025-05-30, the average rate was 6.76%.

The average rate one year ago was 7.07%.

For refis of the same type during the week of 2025-07-04, the average rate was 0.17%.

Click on whitespace and scroll within the chart to zoom in/out. Larger bubbles equate with more originations.

Athens VA Loan Lenders by Rates & Fees

The below table looks at the average fees/closing costs and rates for VA 30 Year Fixed Rate (purchase, first lien) mortgages originated by each lender at the Athens level.

Name # of Loans 2024 Avg. 30yFix Rate 2024 Avg. Closing Costs
Mortgage Research Center, LLC 27 6.34% $5,442
UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC 23 6.06% $7,509
FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION 9 6.04% $6,703
PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC 9 5.61% $8,627
VILLAGE CAPITAL MORTGAGE 6 5.73% $5,358
QUICKEN LOANS, LLC 6 5.98% $7,447
MORTGAGE INVESTORS GROUP, INC. 5 6.12% $5,397
DHI MORTGAGE COMPANY, LTD. 5 6.25% $6,700
NEWREZ LLC 4 6.59% $10,295
NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION 4 5.88% $7,514
CMG MORTGAGE, INC. 4 7.19% $8,651
NEW DAY FINANCIAL, LLC 4 7.74% $12,190
Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC 2 5.81% $10,146
Simmons Bank 2 6.88% $9,010
BROKER SOLUTIONS, INC. 2 6.75% $9,197
1ST SIGNATURE LENDING, LLC 2 6.56% $8,477
LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC 2 6.13% $4,515
MOVEMENT MORTGAGE, LLC 2 6.25% $5,090
AMERICAN PACIFIC MORTGAGE CORPORATION 2 6.94% $19,476
AMERICAN FINANCIAL RESOURCES, INC. 2 6.25% $3,084
HOMEBRIDGE FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. 2 6.75% $1,065
STOCKTON MORTGAGE CORPORATION 1 6.25% $6,179
TOWNE MORTGAGE COMPANY 1 6.75% $4,371
UNION HOME MORTGAGE CORP. 1 7.13% $9,936
USAA Federal Savings Bank 1 6.50% $3,716
TJC Mortgage, Inc. 1 6.13% $9,219
ALLIANT CREDIT UNION 1 5.88% $3,921
AmeriHome Mortgage Company, LLC 1 7.13% $8,681
AMERISAVE MORTGAGE CORPORATION 1 5.38% $28,049
ARK-LA-TEX FINANCIAL SERVICES, LLC. 1 6.50% $6,355
BancorpSouth 1 6.50% $14,277
Barrington Bank & Trust Company, N.A. 1 5.75% $3,890
Century Mortgage Company DBA Century Lending Company 1 6.63% $6,020
CLEARPATH LENDING 1 5.88% $10,624
DIRECT LENDERS, LLC 1 4.99% $10,567
FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CORPORATION 1 6.49% $650
Gateway First Bank 1 7.25% $3,039
GUARANTEED RATE, INC. 1 5.75% $0
HOMESTEAD FUNDING CORP. 1 6.00% $2,296
LOANDEPOT.COM, LLC 1 4.99% $20,002
Magnolia Bank 1 6.25% $9,635
Mr. Cooper ( Nationstar Mortgage ) 1 7.75% $7,743
Paramount Residential Mortgage Group, Inc. 1 7.25% $21,810
PHH Mortgage Corporation 1 5.99% $31,954
PLANET HOME LENDING, LLC 1 5.75% $3,776
PRIMELENDING, A PLAINSCAPITAL COMPANY 1 5.50% $657

The top Athens VA lender as defined by loan originations is Mortgage Research Center, LLC, with 27 VA loans originated. Their average total fees are $5,442, which is $2,067 lower than the next largest lender, UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC.

The lowest fee Athens VA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are Mortgage Research Center, LLC ($5,442), UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC ($7,509), .

The lowest rate Athens VA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC (6.06%), Mortgage Research Center, LLC (6.34%), .

VA Loan Features

  • No down payment required
  • Negotiable and competitive interest rate.
  • Ability to finance the VA funding fee (plus reduced funding fees with a down payment of at least 5 percent and exemption for veterans receiving VA compensation).
  • VA rules limit the amount you can be charged for closing costs.
  • Closing costs are comparable with other financing types (and may be lower).
  • Closing costs may be paid by the seller.
  • No private mortgage insurance premiums are required.
  • An assumable mortgage.
  • Right to prepay your mortgage without penalty.
  • For homes inspected by VA during construction, a warranty from builder and assistance from VA to obtain cooperation of builder.
  • VA assistance to veteran borrowers in default due to temporary financial difficulty.