Interest rates have been so low for so long that home ownership for military members using their BAH has actually been a reality.
Never before has the military population owned a higher percentage of homes. The days of base living has changed drastically. With most installations switching over to PPV the climate has changed. The thought of waiting until retirement to purchase a home has become a scary thought in this economy.
So as a military member do you purchase a home?
It is a very complicated process which needs some investigation and education before making a decision. You should ask yourself some questions like these at the minimum.
- Do I have upfront money to buy a home?
- Can I get financing?
- Is my tour of duty going to be longer than 2 years before the next PCS?
- Will I have the opportunity to do another tour here or will I have an opportunity to come back?
- If I had to be a long distant landlord would I have the time or recourses?
- Could I afford a property manager?
- What if I had to pay the mortgage for 2-3 months while the home is waiting for new renters?
BUYING VS. RENTING
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ADVANTAGE |
THINGS TO CONSIDER |
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BUY |
Build Equity |
Responsibility of Maintenance |
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Income Tax Incentives |
Property Tax Payments |
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Stability and Security |
Loss of Equity |
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Ability to "do what you want" |
Less Mobile |
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RENT |
No responsibility for Maintenance |
No Equity |
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Easier to Move |
No Tax Benefits |
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Vanilla Walls |
So after you have considered all the possibilities, searched the internet for information and asked around your shop. Are you ready to buy?
Being a military spouse and real estate professional it was still a decision that I wavered back and forth. After sitting down and writing out all the pros and cons my husband and I decided to purchase. My husband is in the Untied States Navy and at the time we decided to purchase we were looking at the second tour to Iraq, at living in southern California and at a PCS 30 days after his re-deployment. We didn't know where we were going, how long we would be there or how the finance industry would view our dreams.
My husband left for Iraq and I knew that I wanted our next PCS to be a "door to door". I started to look at houses in the Bremerton, Washington area over the internet. Having my license but not practicing in the state of Washington I had to find a real estate agent too. I was lucky because I had several contacts from my days of selling homes in Washington. On a trip up to Washington I viewed a property and made an offer with my POA.
My husband just so h
appen to call while I was in the process. I told him what I was doing and promised to email pictures when I arrived back home. I can tell you that it was not a totally smooth process, but I can also tell you that I am writing this article in the home office of the house that we purchased so, all in all a happy ending.
Do you own your home? Are you afraid of having to sell in 3, 4 or 5 years? If you are smart and do the right things then homeownership for a military member should not be scary!
Author:Jo Soss
Jo Soss is the designated Broker and the owner of Homefront Realty in Bremerton Washington. Selling real estate in the greater Puget Sound area since 1994 she has vast knowledge in all aspects of a real estate transaction. Using today's technology with her signature personal service allows her to achieve complete customer satisfaction.
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After the September 11 attacks security for military installations around the country implemented new security measures, and bases in Kitsap County followed suit. The Navy proceeded to purchase land in downtown Bremerton adjacent to the Bremerton Puget Sound Naval Shipyard entrance for a security buffer. Instead of looking at some jersey barriers along the sidewalk the City of Bremerton had a vision that would lead to the creation of PSNS Memorial Plaza. 
