In reference to the amount of time necessary for a VA loan to be completed:
We had a wretched experience with that! In fact, have still not closed on our house because of the VA -- luckily, the seller is perfectly happy to do a good deed for a couple with a new baby and let us rent to own.
First, the VA inspector never made an appointment. She called when she was fifteen minutes away. Considering how far out we are, she had been driving for quite some time before deigning to call. Luckily, my husband was home that day since I was on bed rest for pre-term labour. He did the fifteen minute "House Rescue" and everything was fine when she pulled up.
Second, she took absolutely no pictures of the interior of the house. Because of her neglecting to document the improvements on the inside, the house appraised for less than the asking price. Strike one for us getting it. Even when my husband and I both asked her to make certain to note the brand new carpets, appliances, wood stove, custom tile work, etc., she brushed it off as not important!
Third, she took one picture of the outside. When asked why she wasn't taking any pictures, she replied, "They aren't important in this."
So, here we are, two years later, struggling to try to get a new inspection, a change in the appraisal, etc. I'm heartily sick of the VA and their reluctance to come out here and really look at the house and the land. If we could, we'd be going to a bank for a conventional mortage and heck with the VA! So, my advice, check other ways of financing before going to the VA. I'm sure a lot of folks ahve good luck with them, but we didn't.
Just a cautionary tale.