Buying fathers home with VA loan

[Majid Jordan]

Hello, I am a prospective home buyer. I just turned 31 years old and separated from the Air Force after 8 years on active duty. This has entitled me to using a VA loan for a home, and I plan on utilizing it to it's full extent. My father has long paid off his home, and is planning on selling it to me within a year, as well as cutting me a small break with the final asking price. The house is worth approximately $180,000, but I would likely be looking at a figure closer to around $165,000. Here come the variables in question. I attended college before joining the Air Force and have nearly $25,000 of school loan debt that has hurt my credit score substantially. Right now it is ranging from 490-550, and I understand that these are not ideal numbers to present when attempting to finance a mortgage. I have secure income and although it is much less than I will be making in the future, right now my salary is around 50K/year. I am hoping that when using my VA loan to obtain a mortgage, they understand that it is my father selling me his own home. Am I more likely to be approved for this mortgage by 1. Using the VA loan, and 2. The fact that they will know that my father is selling me his own home?