Helena VA Loan Rates, Closing Costs & Stats

Helena, MT

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    • 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.

    Helena's 51 lenders originated 264 VA loans during 2024. The total origination value was $116,410,000, with an average VA loan value of $440,947.

    Helena VA Loans, 30 Year Fixed Rates

    30 Year VA mortgages in Helena averaged 6.22% for the week of 2025-04-04, compared to the national average (all VA variants) of 6.06% for the same period.

    Helena's average VA mortgage closing costs are $7,206.

    The average rate for the prior week (2025-03-28) was 6.44% and one month ago for the week of 2025-02-28, the average rate was 6.22%.

    The average rate one year ago was 6.43%.

    For refis of the same type during the week of 2025-04-04, the average rate was 6.02%.

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

    Helena 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 Helena level.

    Name # of Loans 2024 Avg. 30yFix Rate 2024 Avg. Closing Costs
    Mortgage Research Center, LLC 51 6.34% $7,615
    EVERGREEN MONEYSOURCE MORTGAGE COMPANY 28 6.19% $12,586
    Stockman Bank of Montana 12 5.89% $7,065
    UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC 12 5.72% $7,256
    FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION 11 6.09% $11,960
    Opportunity Bank of Montana 9 5.76% $10,520
    LOANDEPOT.COM, LLC 8 5.65% $18,217
    QUICKEN LOANS, LLC 7 5.93% $9,778
    USAA Federal Savings Bank 7 6.36% $8,216
    Glacier Bank 6 6.10% $7,919
    NEWREZ LLC 6 5.96% $11,721
    UNION HOME MORTGAGE CORP. 6 6.14% $13,420
    LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC 5 5.50% $8,683
    U.S. Bank 5 5.60% $9,343
    NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION 5 5.95% $5,370
    PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICES, LLC 5 5.62% $11,238
    VILLAGE CAPITAL MORTGAGE 4 5.31% $5,429
    GUARANTEED RATE, INC. 4 6.14% $5,440
    GUILD MORTGAGE COMPANY 4 6.16% $21,473
    Magnolia Bank 4 5.78% $23,609
    HOMESIDE FINANCIAL, LLC 3 6.08% $15,981
    CHURCHILL MORTGAGE CORPORATION 3 6.00% $14,196
    CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE, LLC 3 5.92% $3,673
    CALCON MUTUAL MORTGAGE LLC 3 6.25% $5,371
    PLANET HOME LENDING, LLC 3 5.83% $6,107
    MUTUAL OF OMAHA MORTGAGE, INC. 2 6.19% $11,336
    CLEARPATH LENDING 2 5.12% $3,762
    The Loan Store, Inc. 2 5.56% $10,749
    NEW DAY FINANCIAL, LLC 2 7.50% $24,967
    Flagstar Bank, FSB 2 5.38% $6,117
    First Western Trust Bank 2 6.44% $0
    Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC 1 5.88% $16,066
    S1L, Inc. 1 6.75% $33,487
    Sierra Pacific Mortgage Company, Inc. 1 5.50% $15,066
    SUN WEST MORTGAGE COMPANY, INC. 1 5.87% $3,229
    The Federal Savings Bank 1 6.25% $19,960
    TOWNE MORTGAGE COMPANY 1 7.75% $7,458
    BROKER SOLUTIONS, INC. 1 7.75% $23,185
    AXIA FINANCIAL, LLC 1 5.13% $13,417
    AMERISAVE MORTGAGE CORPORATION 1 5.25% $29,855
    Armed Forces Bank 1 6.00% $27,823
    IDAHO CENTRAL 1 6.50% $6,420
    First Federal Bank 1 6.00% $6,702
    FAIRWAY INDEPENDENT MORTGAGE CORPORATION 1 5.75% $1,588
    AMERICAN PACIFIC MORTGAGE CORPORATION 1 6.25% $8,801
    Mr. Cooper ( Nationstar Mortgage ) 1 5.75% $7,306
    CLEARWATER Federal Credit Union 1 6.50% $12,699
    NBKC BANK 1 5.99% $14,071
    NOVA FINANCIAL & INVESTMENT CORPORATION 1 6.75% $7,117
    Century Mortgage Company DBA Century Lending Company 1 6.63% $0
    PLAZA HOME MORTGAGE, INC. 1 6.63% $8,099

    The top Helena VA lender as defined by loan originations is Mortgage Research Center, LLC, with 51 VA loans originated. Their average total fees are $7,615, which is $4,970 lower than the next largest lender, EVERGREEN MONEYSOURCE MORTGAGE COMPANY.

    The lowest fee Helena VA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are Stockman Bank of Montana ($7,065), UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC ($7,256), Mortgage Research Center, LLC ($7,615), FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION ($11,960) and EVERGREEN MONEYSOURCE MORTGAGE COMPANY ($12,586).

    The lowest rate Helena VA lenders (with over 10 loans originated) are UNITED WHOLESALE MORTGAGE, LLC (5.72%), Stockman Bank of Montana (5.89%), FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION (6.09%), EVERGREEN MONEYSOURCE MORTGAGE COMPANY (6.19%) and Mortgage Research Center, LLC (6.34%).

    Market Conditions (Median, Average Prices & Listing Count)

    Realtor.com - Helena (CBSA) retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
    Date Median Listing Price (YoY Change) Average Listing Price (YoY) MSA/US Median Price Ratio Active Listings
    2018-01-01 $281,825 (-1.3%) $538,215 (50.9%) 0.00 496
    2018-02-01 $279,900 (-1.7%) $498,341 (40.7%) 0.00 510
    2018-03-01 $298,750 (4.8%) $496,773 (30.4%) 0.00 540
    2018-04-01 $299,925 (5.2%) $515,025 (35.9%) 0.00 605
    2018-05-01 $299,935 (5.3%) $500,247 (32.5%) 0.00 671
    2018-06-01 $301,200 (6.7%) $488,512 (30.1%) 0.00 746
    2018-07-01 $310,000 (10.5%) $491,582 (32.5%) 0.00 762
    2018-08-01 $302,550 (7.8%) $493,243 (31.9%) 0.00 755
    2018-09-01 $300,000 (5.3%) $498,472 (37.2%) 0.00 767
    2018-10-01 $309,450 (7.8%) $522,593 (10.3%) 0.00 707
    2018-11-01 $329,913 (14.1%) $573,656 (18.9%) 0.00 457
    2018-12-01 $329,000 (14.9%) $586,708 (17.9%) 0.00 415
    2019-01-01 $314,800 (11.7%) $593,358 (10.3%) 0.00 378
    2019-02-01 $322,400 (15.2%) $563,922 (13.2%) 0.00 351
    2019-03-01 $327,100 (9.5%) $569,802 (14.7%) 0.00 352
    2019-04-01 $327,100 (9.1%) $571,271 (10.9%) 0.00 352
    2019-05-01 $325,000 (8.4%) $562,251 (12.4%) 0.00 384
    2019-06-01 $315,000 (4.6%) $551,410 (12.9%) 0.00 420
    2019-07-01 $315,000 (1.6%) $454,082 (-7.6%) 0.00 437
    2019-08-01 $316,091 (4.5%) $450,674 (-8.6%) 0.00 428
    2019-09-01 $317,727 (5.9%) $449,028 (-9.9%) 0.00 412
    2019-10-01 $319,500 (3.3%) $448,083 (-14.3%) 0.00 397
    2019-11-01 $329,000 (-0.3%) $455,582 (-20.6%) 0.00 350
    2019-12-01 $322,500 (-2.0%) $471,716 (-19.6%) 0.00 314
    2020-01-01 $322,500 (2.5%) $452,557 (-23.7%) 0.00 281
    2020-02-01 $332,500 (3.1%) $499,168 (-11.5%) 0.00 273
    2020-03-01 $339,950 (3.9%) $514,459 (-9.7%) 0.00 268
    2020-04-01 $356,350 (8.9%) $519,218 (-9.1%) 0.00 277
    2020-05-01 $369,450 (13.7%) $537,989 (-4.3%) 0.00 264
    2020-06-01 $374,925 (19.0%) $544,630 (-1.2%) 0.00 251
    2020-07-01 $389,975 (23.8%) $584,180 (28.7%) 0.00 230
    2020-08-01 $403,500 (27.7%) $578,971 (28.5%) 0.00 218
    2020-09-01 $426,200 (34.1%) $599,480 (33.5%) 0.00 209
    2020-10-01 $414,900 (29.9%) $602,847 (34.5%) 0.00 190
    2020-11-01 $462,250 (40.5%) $649,156 (42.5%) 0.00 151
    2020-12-01 $461,225 (43.0%) $665,661 (41.1%) 0.00 128
    2021-01-01 $429,900 (33.3%) $656,583 (45.1%) 0.00 116
    2021-02-01 $472,638 (42.2%) $703,201 (40.9%) 0.00 98
    2021-03-01 $474,650 (39.6%) $692,196 (34.6%) 0.00 101
    2021-04-01 $466,450 (30.9%) $664,596 (28.0%) 0.00 116
    2021-05-01 $460,950 (24.8%) $673,122 (25.1%) 0.00 122
    2021-06-01 $492,000 (31.2%) $703,151 (29.1%) 0.00 132
    2021-07-01 $495,000 (26.9%) $731,246 (25.2%) 0.00 166
    2021-08-01 $485,000 (20.2%) $718,039 (24.0%) 0.00 180
    2021-09-01 $493,000 (15.7%) $730,653 (21.9%) 0.00 172
    2021-10-01 $509,900 (22.9%) $717,204 (19.0%) 0.00 159
    2021-11-01 $542,000 (17.3%) $736,452 (13.5%) 0.00 130
    2021-12-01 $550,000 (19.3%) $738,383 (10.9%) 0.00 99
    2022-01-01 $557,500 (29.7%) $781,971 (19.1%) 0.00 77
    2022-02-01 $581,000 (22.9%) $760,207 (8.1%) 0.00 85
    2022-03-01 $550,000 (15.9%) $800,519 (15.7%) 0.00 85
    2022-04-01 $575,000 (23.3%) $787,192 (18.5%) 0.00 99
    2022-05-01 $550,000 (19.3%) $770,040 (14.4%) 0.00 125
    2022-06-01 $589,450 (19.8%) $851,639 (21.1%) 0.00 149
    2022-07-01 $595,000 (20.2%) $839,227 (14.8%) 0.00 208
    2022-08-01 $599,950 (23.7%) $840,588 (17.1%) 0.00 240
    2022-09-01 $599,900 (21.7%) $852,632 (16.7%) 0.00 237
    2022-10-01 $599,000 (17.5%) $842,989 (17.5%) 0.00 243
    2022-11-01 $576,925 (6.4%) $823,242 (11.8%) 0.00 245
    2022-12-01 $599,000 (8.9%) $845,020 (14.4%) 0.00 218
    2023-01-01 $599,450 (7.5%) $788,752 (0.9%) 0.00 205
    2023-02-01 $586,175 (0.9%) $804,378 (5.8%) 0.00 184
    2023-03-01 $575,750 (4.7%) $789,475 (-1.4%) 0.00 193
    2023-04-01 $599,000 (4.2%) $799,861 (1.6%) 0.00 189
    2023-05-01 $601,875 (9.4%) $828,980 (7.7%) 0.00 201
    2023-06-01 $649,950 (10.3%) $839,124 (-1.5%) 0.00 226
    2023-07-01 $675,000 (13.5%) $875,300 (4.3%) 0.00 253
    2023-08-01 $634,900 (5.8%) $829,260 (-1.4%) 0.00 272
    2023-09-01 $629,000 (4.9%) $817,077 (-4.2%) 0.00 277
    2023-10-01 $608,675 (1.6%) $803,795 (-4.7%) 0.00 273
    2023-11-01 $606,200 (5.1%) $873,911 (6.2%) 0.00 259
    2023-12-01 $599,900 (0.2%) $872,674 (3.3%) 0.00 227
    2024-01-01 $588,750 (-1.8%) $865,320 (9.7%) 0.00 203
    2024-02-01 $614,000 (4.8%) $864,137 (7.4%) 0.00 204
    2024-03-01 $650,000 (12.9%) $888,942 (12.6%) 0.00 211
    2024-04-01 $665,000 (11.0%) $854,854 (6.9%) 0.00 233
    2024-05-01 $672,200 (11.7%) $871,385 (5.1%) 0.00 293
    2024-06-01 $650,000 (0.0%) $831,223 (-0.9%) 0.00 349
    2024-07-01 $650,000 (-3.7%) $865,582 (-1.1%) 0.00 362
    2024-08-01 $632,000 (-0.5%) $837,808 (1.0%) 0.00 391
    2024-09-01 $629,700 (0.1%) $827,806 (1.3%) 0.00 395
    2024-10-01 $619,750 (1.8%) $825,606 (2.7%) 0.00 381
    2024-11-01 $607,000 (0.1%) $754,740 (-13.6%) 0.00 355
    2024-12-01 $599,675 (0.0%) $751,357 (-13.9%) 0.00 297
    2025-01-01 $599,900 (1.9%) $784,096 (-9.4%) 0.00 267
    2025-02-01 $613,750 (0.0%) $821,934 (-4.9%) 0.00 240
    2025-03-01 $599,900 (-7.7%) $800,693 (-9.9%) 0.00 271
    Helena's median listing price for 2025-03-01 was $599,900, a difference of $-50,100 (-7.7%) versus the prior year and $-13,850 versus the prior month.

    Helena's median listing price comes in at 0% of the national average.

    Helena's average listing price for 2025-03-01 was $800,693, a difference of $-88,249 (-9.9%) versus the prior year and $-21,241 versus the prior month.

    For the 2025-03-01 period, Helena had 271 MLS listings, a difference of 31 listings (13%) versus the prior month and 60 listings (28%) versus the prior year.

    Median Listing Time on Market & Square Footage

    Realtor.com - Helena (CBSA) retrieved from FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
    Date Median Listing Time on Market Median Square Footage
    2018-01-01 0 days 1,986 sqft
    2018-02-01 0 days 2,008 sqft
    2018-03-01 0 days 2,040 sqft
    2018-04-01 0 days 2,084 sqft
    2018-05-01 0 days 2,112 sqft
    2018-06-01 0 days 2,112 sqft
    2018-07-01 0 days 2,121 sqft
    2018-08-01 0 days 2,111 sqft
    2018-09-01 0 days 2,120 sqft
    2018-10-01 0 days 2,231 sqft
    2018-11-01 0 days 2,268 sqft
    2018-12-01 0 days 2,159 sqft
    2019-01-01 0 days 2,137 sqft
    2019-02-01 0 days 2,152 sqft
    2019-03-01 0 days 2,167 sqft
    2019-04-01 0 days 2,202 sqft
    2019-05-01 0 days 2,151 sqft
    2019-06-01 0 days 2,200 sqft
    2019-07-01 0 days 2,160 sqft
    2019-08-01 0 days 2,153 sqft
    2019-09-01 0 days 2,136 sqft
    2019-10-01 0 days 2,127 sqft
    2019-11-01 0 days 2,147 sqft
    2019-12-01 0 days 2,048 sqft
    2020-01-01 0 days 2,039 sqft
    2020-02-01 0 days 2,042 sqft
    2020-03-01 0 days 2,126 sqft
    2020-04-01 0 days 2,212 sqft
    2020-05-01 0 days 2,222 sqft
    2020-06-01 0 days 2,268 sqft
    2020-07-01 0 days 2,339 sqft
    2020-08-01 0 days 2,362 sqft
    2020-09-01 0 days 2,426 sqft
    2020-10-01 0 days 2,378 sqft
    2020-11-01 0 days 2,400 sqft
    2020-12-01 0 days 2,407 sqft
    2021-01-01 0 days 2,352 sqft
    2021-02-01 0 days 2,285 sqft
    2021-03-01 0 days 2,287 sqft
    2021-04-01 0 days 2,223 sqft
    2021-05-01 0 days 2,067 sqft
    2021-06-01 0 days 2,131 sqft
    2021-07-01 0 days 2,124 sqft
    2021-08-01 0 days 2,060 sqft
    2021-09-01 0 days 2,209 sqft
    2021-10-01 0 days 2,145 sqft
    2021-11-01 0 days 2,126 sqft
    2021-12-01 0 days 2,198 sqft
    2022-01-01 0 days 2,198 sqft
    2022-02-01 0 days 2,217 sqft
    2022-03-01 0 days 2,118 sqft
    2022-04-01 0 days 2,136 sqft
    2022-05-01 0 days 2,187 sqft
    2022-06-01 0 days 2,169 sqft
    2022-07-01 0 days 2,152 sqft
    2022-08-01 0 days 2,138 sqft
    2022-09-01 0 days 2,147 sqft
    2022-10-01 0 days 2,180 sqft
    2022-11-01 0 days 2,135 sqft
    2022-12-01 0 days 2,120 sqft
    2023-01-01 0 days 2,111 sqft
    2023-02-01 0 days 2,083 sqft
    2023-03-01 0 days 2,059 sqft
    2023-04-01 0 days 2,100 sqft
    2023-05-01 0 days 2,215 sqft
    2023-06-01 0 days 2,259 sqft
    2023-07-01 0 days 2,231 sqft
    2023-08-01 0 days 2,198 sqft
    2023-09-01 0 days 2,148 sqft
    2023-10-01 0 days 2,098 sqft
    2023-11-01 0 days 2,106 sqft
    2023-12-01 0 days 2,132 sqft
    2024-01-01 0 days 2,109 sqft
    2024-02-01 0 days 2,109 sqft
    2024-03-01 0 days 2,142 sqft
    2024-04-01 0 days 2,204 sqft
    2024-05-01 0 days 2,225 sqft
    2024-06-01 0 days 2,155 sqft
    2024-07-01 0 days 2,239 sqft
    2024-08-01 0 days 2,194 sqft
    2024-09-01 0 days 2,241 sqft
    2024-10-01 0 days 2,256 sqft
    2024-11-01 0 days 2,151 sqft
    2024-12-01 0 days 2,120 sqft
    2025-01-01 0 days 2,110 sqft
    2025-02-01 0 days 2,151 sqft
    2025-03-01 0 days 2,080 sqft
    Helena's median listing age (time on market) for 2025-03-01 was 0 days.

    Helena's median square footage for active listings during the 2025-03-01 period was 2,080 sqft. One year prior, the average listing was 2,142 sqft.

    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.