Hometown Hero Credit

10/13/2026

He's back. After time away, Captain Gratitude returns as the official spokesperson of Operation Tag.

He’s a superhero with one mission: standing up for those who stood up for us.

Operation Tag stands for Tangible Act of Gratitude. Gratitude isn’t a certification or a badge you buy. It’s something you do.

As he reminds us, “Our veterans already paid a price most of us will never fully understand.” Not just words, but gratitude in action.

Operation Tag is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit helping Veterans, active-duty service members, reservists and Gold Star families through education, community partnership and financial support. That includes the Hometown Hero Credit, offering up to $21,000 toward eligible closing costs.

Learn more at www.OperationTAG.org.

Operation Tag is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, not a lender; program guidelines and eligibility requirements apply.

Welcome Captain Gratitude back by sharing this post with a Veteran, service member or military family.

Standing up for those who stood up for us.

10/13/2026

Part 2 of 3. So why has nobody told California Veterans about CalVet?

Most lenders simply do not offer the CalVet home loan program, not because they cannot, but because CalVet pays considerably less than a standard VA loan. There are no extra qualifications or certifications required to be a CalVet lender.

Everybody deserves to make a living. We understand that. But when we work with military families, we can all do more. That is what Gratitude Over Profits means to us, not a slogan, but a choice about how we work.

Operation T.A.G. is a nonprofit, and we have certified, vetted lending partners who will walk you through the CalVet program.

Our 24-hour information lines:
760-456-8748 for all programs except CalVet
760-760-5040 for CalVet program information

Visit www.OperationTAG.org. Share this with a California Veteran or military family who is house hunting.

Operation T.A.G. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, not a lender; program guidelines and eligibility requirements apply.

10/12/2026

CalVet: The California Benefit Lenders Don’t Want To Tell You About…

First, an important note: CalVet is a California state home loan program, and it is available only for a home located in California. If you’re an out-of-state veteran looking to buy outside California, this benefit won’t apply to that home. We want you to know that right away. However, you may be eligible for a program called the Hometown Hero Credit which provides up to $21,000 in assistance with no repayment....

First, an important note: CalVet is a California state home loan program, and it is available only for a home located in California. If you’re an out-of-state veteran looking to buy outside Califor…

10/12/2026

Most California Veterans have never heard of CalVet. That isn’t your fault. Nobody told you.

CalVet is a home loan program run by the state of California and funded by tax-exempt bonds. It can pair with a VA loan for up to 100% financing with no down payment. California only.

Eligible California borrowers may see rates as low as 5.500% (5.865% APR) through our licensed lending partner.

California’s Debt Limit Allocation Committee approved a $150 million tax-exempt bond allocation for CalVet, projected to help roughly 363 homebuyers, about 40% of them low-income. Funds are limited.

Operation T.A.G. is a nonprofit organization with certified, vetted lending partners who will walk you through CalVet and tell you in minutes whether you qualify. Call our 24-hour information lines: 760-456-8748 for information on all programs except CalVet, and 760-760-5040 for CalVet program information. Visit www.OperationTAG.org.

If you served, you earned this. Saying “thank you for your service” isn’t enough. Gratitude over profits.

Assumptions: APR based on a $200K sales price, 10% down payment, financing the VA funding fee under the CalVet/VA loan program, and one-year premium for disaster insurance included. Rates are subject to change. Actual payments will vary based on your individual situation and current rates. To get accurate, personalized results, please call us at 760-456-8748 to be connected with a licensed, vetted loan agent. Products are only available in California. Products are limited to funds available. Some restrictions may apply. Not all buyers will qualify. Based on the purchase or refinance of a primary residence with no cash out at closing. First-time homebuyer program subject to certain federal tax and treasury regulations and restrictions. Operation T.A.G. is a nonprofit organization, not a lender. All mortgage applications, loan terms, rates, and lending services are provided by appropriately licensed lending partners. PRMG NMLS #75243.

Rates as of October 12, 2026.

Operation T.A.G. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, not a lender; program guidelines and eligibility requirements apply.

10/12/2026

The VA loan is a lifetime benefit, not a once-and-done perk.

If you used a VA loan before, you may still have entitlement available for your next home.

Here’s a simple relocation example:

You buy your first home with a VA loan. Years later, military orders or a new opportunity takes you somewhere else.

If you sell the first home and the VA loan is paid off, your entitlement may be restored so you can use your VA benefit again.

If you keep the first home and the loan remains, you may still have remaining entitlement available for another purchase. The amount depends on your circumstances and must be reviewed before you assume you cannot qualify.

The VA loan is not automatically “used up” after one purchase. Ask questions before making a decision.

You may also be able to pair an eligible purchase or refinance with the Hometown Hero Credit™: up to $21,000 toward eligible closing costs, with no repayment and no income or credit restrictions.

Message Operation T.A.G. or visit www.OperationTAG.org to learn more. We’ll help you start the conversation.

Operation T.A.G. is a nonprofit organization, not a lender. Program guidelines and eligibility requirements apply.

10/11/2026

7.48% is only part of the picture. VA loans can offer eligible Veterans no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance. A qualifying rate as low as 5.500% (5.865% APR) may be available through our licensed lending partner in California. Share this with a Veteran or military family house hunting.

Assumptions: APR based on a $200K sales price, 10% down payment, financing the VA funding fee under the CalVet/VA loan program, and one-year premium for disaster insurance included. Rates are subject to change. Actual payments will vary based on your individual situation and current rates. To get accurate, personalized results, please call us at 760-456-8748 to be connected with a licensed, vetted loan agent. Products are only available in California. Products are limited to funds available. Some restrictions may apply. Not all buyers will qualify. Based on the purchase or refinance of a primary residence with no cash out at closing. First-time homebuyer program subject to certain federal tax and treasury regulations and restrictions. Operation T.A.G. is a nonprofit organization, not a lender. All mortgage applications, loan terms, rates, and lending services are provided by appropriately licensed lending partners. PRMG NMLS #75243.

Rates as of October 11, 2026.
www.OperationTAG.org
Operation T.A.G. is a nonprofit organization, not a lender. All mortgage applications, loan terms, rates, and lending services are provided by appropriately licensed lending partners.

10/11/2026

Confessions of a Chapel Pastor: The Morning I Never Got to My Message

Legacy Letters is a new weekly letter series where I’ll share personal stories and the lessons they left behind. My hope is that these reflections help us turn gratitude into action, one story at a time. A chapel full of teenagers, and one nervous pastor Put a nervous chapel pastor in front of a sanctuary full of junior high and high school students on a Friday morning, and you learn something about faith pretty quickly....

Legacy Letters is a new weekly letter series where I’ll share personal stories and the lessons they left behind. My hope is that these reflections help us turn gratitude into action, one story at a…

10/10/2026

Your VA loan benefit isn’t used up after one house.

If a Veteran buys a home with a VA loan and later needs to relocate, what happens to the benefit? In this 30-second conversation, a Veteran asks an Operation T.A.G. Community Ambassador about remaining versus restored entitlement.

If you keep your first home, you may have remaining entitlement available. If you sell and meet VA requirements, you may be able to have your entitlement restored for another VA-backed purchase. Every situation is different, so ask questions before assuming you can’t use your benefit again.

The Hometown Hero Credit offers up to $21,000 toward eligible home purchase or refinance closing costs, with no repayment and no income or credit restrictions.

Message Operation T.A.G. or visit www.OperationTAG.org to learn more. Share this with a Veteran or military family who might find it helpful.

Operation T.A.G. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, not a lender. Program guidelines and eligibility requirements apply.

10/10/2026

Think your VA loan benefit was used up after one home? It may not be.

In this quick conversation, a Veteran asks an Operation T.A.G. Community Ambassador about moving to a new home. Remaining entitlement may be available for another VA-backed loan. Restored entitlement may be available again when VA’s restoration requirements are met, often after selling the prior home and paying off the loan. Your situation depends on your entitlement, loan details, and eligibility.

The Hometown Hero Credit offers up to $21,000 toward eligible home purchase or refinance closing costs, with no repayment and no income or credit restrictions.

Message Operation T.A.G. or visit www.OperationTAG.org to learn more.

Operation T.A.G. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, not a lender. Program guidelines and eligibility requirements apply.

10/10/2026

How to Buy a Home as a Veteran With as Little as $0 Out of Pocket in 2026

For many veterans, buying a home with a VA loan can mean no down payment. But no down payment does not always mean no money due at closing. Closing costs, prepaid expenses, and other items may still leave you with a cash-to-close amount. The good news: with a VA loan, the Hometown Hero Credit™, and other available assistance, you may be able to reduce that amount, sometimes getting as close as possible to…...

For many veterans, buying a home with a VA loan can mean no down payment. But no down payment does not always mean no money due at closing. Closing costs, prepaid expenses, and other items may stil…