Buying

VA Home Loan Reform 2025: Why It Matters in Shawnee

June 8, 2025

A Big Win for VA Buyers: What VA Home Loan Reform Means for Shawnee

Every once in a while, something we’ve been working on behind the scenes becomes headline news. Last month, it happened.

On May 19, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a major fix to the VA home loan program, marking a crucial step in VA home loan reform for 2025. And not by a narrow vote—it passed unanimously. That’s rare, especially for anything tied to real estate policy. But lawmakers from both parties agreed that something needed to change.

This issue has been a top focus of the Federal Financing and Housing Policy Committee I serve on with the National Association of REALTORS®. We’re a small group, but we take on big issues like this one. Since the class action settlement reshaped how agent compensation works, we’ve raised concerns about how that affects VA buyers.

Why VA Home Loan Reform Was Needed

VA buyers cannot pay real estate commissions directly. That long-standing rule was meant to protect them from junk fees. But in today’s market, where sellers may not offer to pay buyer agent commissions, this policy started working against the very people it was meant to help.

Veterans found themselves without a way to pay for representation. They either went into a transaction unrepresented or lost out altogether. That’s not just a technicality—it’s a barrier to homeownership for the people who have earned that benefit.

Our committee knew it had to change, so we made VA home loan reform a priority.

What the New Bill Does for VA Buyers

Screenshot of H.R. 1815 summary from Congress.gov, describing VA home loan reform provisions including buyer representation, loss mitigation, and partial claim program.

Legislation Passed May 19, 2025.

The bill that passed—H.R. 1815, the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act—gives the Department of Veterans Affairs the authority to revise its outdated rules.

It doesn’t rewrite the VA loan program. It simply allows the VA to update its policies so that veterans can work with a buyer’s agent, even if the seller doesn’t offer commission.

That’s a small change with big impact. It keeps VA buyers competitive in a commission-optional housing market.

Why This Matters in Shawnee and Central Oklahoma

Here on the right side of the metro, we’re just east of Tinker Air Force Base, and I’ve had the privilege of helping many active-duty service members and veterans buy homes in Shawnee, Harrah, Choctaw, and other parts of Central Oklahoma, including Oklahoma City.

This fix matters here because so many of our buyers use VA loans. And I believe no veteran should ever be penalized for using the benefit they’ve earned.

Why Everyone Should Care About This Change

Even if you’re not using a VA loan, here’s why this reform is a big deal:

  • Real estate is political, whether we like it or not.
  • REALTORS® who serve on national committees can and do make a difference.
  • Advocacy works, especially when it’s focused on protecting homebuyers, not just protecting our paychecks.

Whether I’m at the closing table in Shawnee or working on policy with NAR, you can trust that I’m fighting to protect your ability to buy, sell, and move forward with confidence.

Learn More and Stay Informed

If you’re a veteran or active-duty service member and want to understand how VA home loan reform affects your next move, let’s talk. You deserve strong, informed advocacy—not just in Congress, but right here at home.

➡ Looking to buy in Central Oklahoma? Check out available homes here.
➡ Want to explore other housing topics? Visit the Sold on Shawnee Blog.