First Choice Mortgage

Built for Fort Gordon · PCS to Augusta · Veterans & Active Duty

PCS'ing to Augusta? Augusta's VA loan experts have you covered.

$0 down. No PMI. Close in 30 days. Serving Fort Gordon (formerly Fort Eisenhower) families since 1992 — local underwriting, no call center, and we know Evans, Grovetown, Martinez, and the surrounding Georgia and South Carolina areas like home.

$0 Down Payment

Eligible buyers can finance 100% of the purchase price.

No Private Mortgage Insurance

Save hundreds per month vs. conventional with low down payment.

BAH Often Covers the Payment

For active duty, BAH at the Augusta rate frequently covers full PITI.

We Handle the VA Paperwork

Certificate of Eligibility, residual income, funding fee — we do the work.

Check My VA Eligibility

3 quick questions. No credit pull.

Your service status?

30+

Years closing VA loans in the CSRA

NMLS# 148371

License

GRMA# 5819

State authority

Required disclosures honored

Equal Housing Lender

The Fort Gordon market

Most military families in Augusta have to buy off-post. We make that easy.

16,000+

Active military at Fort Gordon

~1,000

On-post houses (and shrinking)

$2.4B

Annual economic impact

31,000+

Total base workforce

Fort Gordon (formerly Fort Eisenhower) is one of the largest Army installations in the country and home of U.S. Army Cyber Command. With only about 1,000 on-post homes available — and that number shrinking — the vast majority of military families have to buy or rent off-post directly in our market.

Columbia County— Evans, Grovetown, and Martinez — is the #1 preferred destination thanks to its school system. PCS orders create a perpetual, seasonal wave of motivated buyers every spring and summer, and we've been closing those loans for 30+ years.

Columbia County Guide

Where Fort Gordon families settle

  • Evans — top-rated schools, newer subdivisions, easy I-20 access. The default landing zone for officer-rank PCS families.
  • Grovetown — closest to the gates, fastest commute, strong new-construction inventory at moderate price points.
  • Martinez — established neighborhoods, mature trees, walkable to retail and dining. Strong resale market.

BAH Explainer

Your BAH may cover the entire payment.

The DoD's Basic Allowance for Housing is paid at the local market rate. In the Augusta area, BAH for many ranks frequently covers full PITI — principal, interest, taxes, and insurance — on a moderately priced home in Columbia County.

Combined with $0 down and no PMI, that's the closest thing to free housing you'll find as a buyer. We'll model your specific BAH against a real Columbia County mortgage payment before you ever submit an application.

How we model it

Your rank & dependent status→ exact BAH rate
Target purchase price→ estimated PITI
VA funding fee status→ true monthly cost
Side-by-side vs. on-post option→ honest comparison

We do this math on a real call. Not a hypothetical calculator, not a teaser ad — actual numbers for your situation, no credit pull required.

VA programs we close

More than just the standard VA purchase.

VA Purchase

The standard VA loan — $0 down, no PMI, competitive rates. Owner-occupied primary residence.

VA Jumbo

For loans above the standard county limit. Full-entitlement veterans may still qualify with $0 down.

Learn more →

VA IRRRL Refinance

Streamline refinance for existing VA borrowers. Lower rate, lower payment, minimal documentation.

VA One-Time Close

Build a custom home with a single VA loan that converts from construction to permanent financing.

Local vs. national

Why Augusta veterans choose us over the big national VA lenders.

National lenders sell speed and ad spend. We sell certainty, relationships, and a Columbia County zip code that means something to your underwriter.

 National LenderFirst Choice Mortgage
Local KnowledgeNational call center32 years in Augusta / CSRA
Columbia County ExpertiseGeneric contentEvans, Grovetown, Martinez specific
Community TrustBrand advertisingLocal reviews, local faces
PCS Realtor RelationshipsNone locallyRealtor network in place
Response TimeQueue-basedDirect local licensed loan officers that know the area
Established Since2002 (Missouri)1992 (Augusta, GA)

How a VA loan works

Three steps. We do the heavy lifting.

1

Check eligibility

Tell us your service status. We'll pull your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) for you — most are returned in minutes.

2

Get pre-approved

We will pre-approve you and walk you through residual income, the funding fee, and what your monthly payment looks like against your BAH.

3

Close on your home

From contract to keys, we coordinate with your real estate agent, the appraiser, and the VA. You sign. We do the rest.

VA FAQ

Common questions from Augusta veterans.

What is a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)?+
The COE proves to lenders that you meet VA service requirements. We pull it directly from the VA on your behalf — most return the same day. You don't need to chase paperwork.
Can I use my VA benefit more than once?+
Yes. Most veterans can re-use their benefit if the prior VA loan is paid off, or in some cases use remaining entitlement for a second VA loan. We'll calculate exactly what you have left.
Can I buy with less-than-perfect credit?+
VA loans have flexible credit guidelines. Many of our clients close with credit scores in the low 600s — and even lower with compensating factors. Talk to us before assuming you don't qualify.
What is the VA funding fee?+
A one-time fee paid to the VA to keep the program running. It varies by service status, down payment, and whether you've used your benefit before. Many disabled veterans are exempt. We calculate it in your quote up front.
Do you work with PCS / military buyers on a tight timeline?+
Constantly. We close loans for active-duty PCS moves to and from Fort Gordon regularly. Tell us your report date and we'll build the close timeline backward from there.
Is "Fort Gordon" or "Fort Eisenhower" the right name?+
Both names appear in current usage. The installation was renamed to Fort Eisenhower in 2023, then restored to Fort Gordon in 2025. We use Fort Gordon throughout — but our underwriters recognize either name on PCS orders.

Ready to use your VA benefit?

We'll pull your COE, give you a real rate, and tell you exactly what you can buy against your BAH. No pressure, no credit pull until you're ready.

VA loans are subject to VA eligibility requirements. Not all applicants will qualify. First Choice Mortgage is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. NMLS# 148371. Equal Housing Lender.

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