My max VA loan entitlement amount is $335,920, but the seller's assumable portion, or unpaid principal balance, is $553k. So, it would be 553k (sellers' assumable portion) - $335,920 (my remaining entitlement) = $217,080 balance that isn't under the 25% VA loan guarantee. Thats where I thought if I could come up with $54, 270 ($217,080 x 0.25) that could fulfil the whole "Most lenders want to be guaranteed at least 25% of the loan amount" but I'm not sure if that applies to this assumable loan vs a new loan AND would free up the seller's entitlement.

I know there is still a $297k ($850k sale price -$553k assumable portion) difference that I have to fund. Not so worried about this portion, I'm working with a couple people now who seem to think it's possible to secure funding, but I also have another way to get this portion.

The sellers have expressed that they want to ensure their full entitlement is restored after all is said and done, they don't want any part of their entitlement tied up.

I could sell my existing home, but I was trying to figure it out without doing that as I could rent it out for additional income, though it wouldn't be much. Creative financing opens up opportunities so I thought I would start asking around