Being a military family I am very aware of several businesses around military bases that offer a military discount.  I know that I can go into Lowe's or Home Depot any day and ask for a military discount and receive a 10% off my total bill.  Some places advertise the discount and some places offer it but don't advertise. 

Today I was searching around the area for some specials for the community and found out that several of the stores at the Kitsap Mall are offering Military discounts now until December 31, 2011. 

These discounts do make a difference in a military families budget.  Military families on the average are young and there are more lower ranking families who are on the lower end of the pay scale.  Any and all help is very much appreciated for these young families. 

 

Here is the list of businesses that are offering the discount.

 

Activate Cellular  
 15% off plan for life  

 Aeropostale  
 10% off  

American Eagle Outfitters -new*
10% 

 AT&T  
 15% off monthly service  

 Buckle  
 10% off  

 Champs  
 20% off  

 Charley’s Subs  
 10% off  

 Christopher & Banks  
 10% off  

 Cinnabon  
 15% off  

 CJ Banks  
 10% off  

 Hale’s Alehouse  
 10% off Food only  

 Hot Topic  
 10% off  

 Journeys  
 10% off  

 Just Sports  
 10% off  

 Kataluma Chai  
 25% off Thursdays only Or 50% anytime in uniform  

 Kay Jewelers  
 10% off selected items  

 La-Z Boy  
 5% off  

 LensCrafters  
 10% off frames/lenses**  

 Macy’s  
 10% off coupon Available at Fine Jewelry Counter  

 MasterCuts  
 20% off salon services  

 PacSun  
 10% off  

 Piercing Pagoda  
 10% off  

 Regis Salon  
 20% off enlisted only (Mon-Thursday)  

 Relax Massage  
 10% off  

 Romy  
 20% off Mondays 10% off Tuesday—Sunday  

 Sears  
 10% off  
Regular Priced Tools Only  

 Seattle Team Shop  
 10% off  

 Spencers  
 10% off  

 Sprint  
 15% off  

 T-Mobile  
 10-20% off  

 Trade Secret  
 10% off  

 Whistle Workwear  
 5% off  

 Verizon  
 15% off primary line only 25% off accessories  

 Zales Jewelry  
 10% off selected items 

 

U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Martin S. Fuentes. (RELEASED)

 

 

What are you doing with your BAH? Are you giving it to the PPV/Military Housing? Are you giving it to a landlord to pay THEIR mortgage? No matter what you are hearing in the media you have to remember that the market is different for everyone.  Here in the West Sound there are some amazing opportunities for home buyers.   You need to build for your future. Please call me today! As a military spouse I know what questions you have and can answer them for you from the perspective of a member of the military community - a true member.

 

 

 

 

Just a little reminder - Don't forget to give to Toys for Tots.

 Toys for Tots is a Marine Corps Reserve community service project.  You will see Marines in their dress blues at malls, shops and local businesses soliciting donations. If you see one of their barrels please make sure you drop something in.  On the Toys for Tots official websiteyou can find a drop location, or take your donation to any ToysRus. Toys for Tots is very special to many families in our great country.  The toys collected will be given to families in need in many areas. 

 

My husband who is in the Navy was stationed with a Marine Corps unit in Anchorage, Alaska during the years of 2006-2009 and would gear up every year to go out "on remote delivery" for Toys for Tots. The Alaska Marines do this every year prior to Christmas.  In 2008 there were two teams. Team #1 flew into Galena  and delivered via snowmobile toys to the school in Ruby.  Usually they travel to Koyukuk and Nulato too, but due to the warm weather up in Alaska and the late icing the toys for Koyukuk and Nulato would have to be flown in.  The native guide they use  told them it was too dangerous to ride the snowmobiles over the water.  There were toys delivered to about 550 children and teens in the remote city/villages of Ruby, Koyukuk and Nulato.  Team #2 flew into McGrath and delivered to Nikolai. There is a high school there that offers a trade school so they delivered to those teens. It is nice to know an organization that realizes older children are just as important. 

For some of these kids this was the only gifts they received. For some these are the only toys they receive for a year. Until the next remote delivery arrives. 

I know my husband enjoyed this part of his job tremendously - the adventure of the Alaska wilderness on snowmobiles in minus 10, 20 or 30 degree weather and the look on the kids faces when they brought in the toys - and yep one of the Marines dresses up as Santa.   

 

 

REMOTE DELIVERY 2008

Delta(-)Company Anti-Terrorism Battalion

Anchorage Alaska

 

This is how Santa loads his sleigh to go remote. (Santa's sleigh is a C130)

 Here is the gorgeous view flying over Mt McKinley area!

 

This is how Santa travels over the vast wilderness of the Alaska Bush -(with native guide Fred)

HO HO HO !! This is the first time some of these children have seen Santa or received a Toy

Fishing with Alaska Native Guide Fred

 

Just looking at these photos gave me a chill. My husband loved to do this.  He learned so much about the Native Alaskan life and  made some real fascinating connections.  He was so amazed at how people with so little would feed them and give them jams, jellies, jerky and what ever they had to say thanks.

 

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

	ADVANTAGE	THINGS TO CONSIDER
BUY	Build Equity	Responsibility of Maintenance
	Income Tax Incentives	Property Tax Payments
	Stability and Security	Loss of Equity
	Ability to "do what you want"	Less Mobile
RENT	No responsibility for Maintenance	No Equity
	Easier to Move	No Tax Benefits
		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 happen 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!

LEAVING ON A JET PLANE......

That's the song that I sing when my husband heads out on a deployment. Yep, he is in the Navy but I have never had the pleasure of being involved with a Navy command. We have spent all of our years together hanging out with the Marine Corps.

Deployment can be a very difficult time in a military family's life so; we have to find the positives. Saving all the deployment pay is one! The first tour to Iraq that my husband went on was my first deployment experience as a military spouse. I knew a little about the extra pays and was eager to learn more. I did pay attention at the Deployment Brief. I took all the pamphlets and brochures I could carry. I remember the LtCol standing at the front of the meeting room leaning on the overhead projector and emphasizing about our budgets. He had projected up on the screen the extra pays that our spouses were going to receive.

 

• Hostile Fire Pay (HFP)/Imminent Danger Pay (IDP). $225.00 a month (HFP/IDP)
• Family Separation Allowance $250.00 (FSH OR FSA)
• Hardship Duty Pay-Location $100.00(HDP-L). Indicated as Save Pay on the Leave and Earnings Statement (LES)
• Depending on the Command and the Branch of Service the service member usually gets to keep their BAS - Basic Allowance for Subsistence -

  Enlisted: $323.87 a month

  Officers: $223.04 a month

 

That is a TON of extra pay!! But the bottom line gets even better because all the pay while deployed out side the country in several tax free zones is just that TAX FREE!!!!!

Now that does add up. Depending on the length of deployment you could end up with a pretty nice chuck of change for the purchase of a house, condo or vacant land. Remember how important it is for Military members to own real estate!!

 

 

 

Upon return service members usually receive per-diem pay too - that rounds around $3.50 per day and adds up too!!

So add this all together and you could be saving around $800.00 - $1000.00 per month. Multiply that buy the normal deployment of 7 months - oh except for the Army and IA's which is between 12-15 months and that is a huge amount to invest in your future.

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 home-ownership for a military member should not be scary!!!!

 

2010 BAH NAVAL BASE KITSAP | BREMERTON | BANGOR | PSNS | NAVAL HOSPITAL BREMERTON

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I am sure you have heard all the doom and gloom from a million different news reports concerning the lending industry mess, how several loan programs once available are no longer, how zero down loan programs are almost non-existent and how hard it is right now if you have little to zero money available for a down payment. 

But wait; are you a military member or a veteran?  If you are the news isn't as bad.  With your VA Guaranteed Home Loan benefit you can still obtain a loan with no down payment and a fixed interest rate that is as good as or better than a conventional mortgage rate.  This is the time for a VA Loan! What a great benefit to those of you that have served our country!

 

 

What is a VA Guaranteed Home Loan?

 

Many have the misconception that the military is the organization loaning the money. No they are not. Your VA Guaranteed Home Loan will be made by a private lender, such as your bank or a mortgage company of your choosing that has VA lending approval. 

The guaranty means the lender is protected if you fail to repay the loan.  This is also why you will not have to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI) for a zero down loan (if you could find one).  Normally a lender would require a down payment and/or PMI to obtain a loan, since the VA Home Loan has a guaranty which replaces these you will be able to obtain your loan without, but with the same financial terms as if you had made a down payment.  The risk is removed for the lender when the VA gives them that guaranty.

 

Of course you still must meet income and debt requirements, your credit reports will be used and if there are items in your history that are derogatory you can be denied a loan even though you have your Certificate of Eligibility.  The VA cannot demand a lender make a loan to you that would violate their lending practices. 

Lenders also must comply with the VA rules and policies when it comes to income and credit standards.  Just having the benefit is not enough, you must be credit worthy. 

If a lender is unwilling to approve you for a loan the only thing the VA can do is suggest that you try other lenders. 

 It could just be the perfect time for you to purchase a home with your VA benefits.  Interest rates are at all time lows and prices in the Kitsap area are amazing.  There are some awesome deals out there.  Now, remember that the housing market isn't moving as fast as it was years past, so you must be able to stay in this home longer than that 3 yeas.  So, if you have a plan to be here longer you just might want to jump at these low home prices. 

The other day one of my new buyers hooked up with a new lender in the area. This lender asked my buyer how they found me.

You see my buyer is from the East Coast.

My buyer told the lender that he looked online - on the internet and saw that I was everywhere. He told me this story and then he told the story to the home inspector the day we were having the inspection on his house done.

I work with a lot of relocation buyers here in Kitsap County - home of Naval Base Bremerton, Naval Base Bangor, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Naval Hospital Bremerton. I work very hard to be everywhere they search. Here is a sample.

The Kitsap County home for sale inventory is down 25.4% from the same time in 2008.  That is the largest drop in inventory in the Puget Sound area.  So, with inventory down is it still a buyer's market? 

What is a buyer's market?

A very simple way to explain the definition of a buyer’s market is a simple statement such as, a market which has more sellers than buyers. Low prices result from this excess of supply over demand.

So how does the real estate profession calculate statistics to arrive at the conclusion there is more supply than demand ?

Most real estate professionals define market conditions by using the absorption rate formula. So what is an absorption rate? An absorption rate is the mathematical representation of the relationship between supply and demand.

The total quantity of available homes is divided by total homes sold in the previous month. The results represents the number of months it will take, at that same pace, to sell the entire real estate inventory of a local market area.

Here is last months example:
• Kitsap County has 1982 homes currently on the market. (as of December 31, 2009)
• Last month, 237 homes sold
• 1982 / 237 = 8.36
• So the Kitsap County area has 8.36 months of inventory.

But, remember the answer is only true if the housing market stays the same. The same meaning that there is always 1982 homes on the market and each month 237 of those homes sell.  Absorption rates allow us to give some kind of mathematical equation to determine what type of real estate market we are experiencing at any given time.

Remember that real estate is local and that towns, cities, counties and states all have different absorption rates and will have different markets.  There are also different markets within a market. You might have a buyer’s market when you look at high end homes and yet a seller’s market when it come to 1st time home buyer properties.

• NORMAL MARKET :: conditions exist when the Absorption Rate is between 5 and 6 months
• SELLER’S MARKET :: conditions exist when the Absorption Rate is lower. (1 – 4 months)
• BUYER’S MARKET :: conditions exist when the Absorption Rate is higher. ( 7 plus months)

Of course once I wrote my post about when the BAH rates would be out I knew that Military.com would have it posted the day before.  Here is my first post and then the link to Military.com with the PDF for all the states.

UPDATED: Click this link and it will take you to the Military.com site for BAH - be sure you remember to look at with or without dependents. Also, remember that the rate is most likely for your base and not the city where you might live.  Look at your last LES for the correct Zip Code. This new rate will be reflected in your paycheck you receive on January 15th, which covers the pay period Jan 1st through January 15.

2010 Basic Allowance for Housing Rates

 

Well, it’s almost that time of year! How many times over the last few weeks have you seen the question posted on military boards across the net?

If you look in the right places you will always find the right answer.  I don’t hold much stock in military boards when it comes to important information. I always make sure that I find the source is a .mil site.  That way you know the information is correct.

Here is the link that gives the date -

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)

The Department of Defense, Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee page is one worth making a bookmark!

 

I will be writing about and posting the Naval Base Kitsap new rates as soon as they come out so be sure to check back!

 

 

Similar Posts

 

• Naval Base Kistap | BAH - Tax Breaks - HomeOwnership
• Tax Breaks with Tax Free Money - How is that Legal - BAH!!!
• Naval Base Kitsap |Online Relocation Package | IT’S YOUR PCS
• Naval Base Kitsap :: Certificate of Eligibility | VA Home Loan :: Have 30 Seconds?
• Naval Base Kitsap : VA Home Buyers
• Kitsap County 1st Time Buyers :: $7500 TAX CREDIT :: Bremerton, Silverdale, Naval Base Kitsap
• Naval Base Kitsap :: Use Your VA Guaranteed Home Loan for ZERO DOWN

 

 

Photo Credit:

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin L. Burleson (RELEASED)

Well, it’s almost that time of year! How many times over the last few weeks have you seen the question posted on military boards across the net?

If you look in the right places you will always find the right answer.  I don’t hold much stock in military boards when it comes to important information. I always make sure that I find the source is a .mil site.  That way you know the information is correct.

Here is the link that gives the date -

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)

The Department of Defense, Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee page is one worth making a bookmark!

 

I will be writing about and posting the Naval Base Kitsap new rates as soon as they come out so be sure to check back!

 

 

Similar Posts

 

• Naval Base Kistap | BAH - Tax Breaks - HomeOwnership
• Tax Breaks with Tax Free Money - How is that Legal - BAH!!!
• Naval Base Kitsap |Online Relocation Package | IT’S YOUR PCS
• Naval Base Kitsap :: Certificate of Eligibility | VA Home Loan :: Have 30 Seconds?
• Naval Base Kitsap : VA Home Buyers
• Kitsap County 1st Time Buyers :: $7500 TAX CREDIT :: Bremerton, Silverdale, Naval Base Kitsap
• Naval Base Kitsap :: Use Your VA Guaranteed Home Loan for ZERO DOWN

 

 

Photo Credit:

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin L. Burleson (RELEASED)

 

I am sure lots of area home-buyers have thought this was approved a couple of weeks ago, however the President just signed the Bill this afternoon.  The original 1st time home-buyer credit was extended and there was a new provision inserted to allow for higher income and for home-buyers who would like to be move-up buyers to receive a credit of $6,500 with certain restrictions.  This next week I will be posting more in-depth about this bill but wanted to give an update and some quick facts.

 

• Home-buyers must sign a contract before April 30 and close by June 30.
• Single buyers can now earn up to $125,000 and still get the full credit while a married couple can earn $225,000.
• First-time buyers -- those who have not owned a home in the past three years -- still qualify for an $8,000 rebate.
• Those who have owned and occupied a residence for at least five years out of the past eight can claim a $6,500 tax credit if they close on a purchase by the end of June.

There are several news articles you can read for more information

 

BREAKING NEWS: President Obama Signs Bill Expanding Homebuyer Tax Credit

$8,000 homebuyers tax credit extended

First-time home buyer credit, jobless benefits both extended

Obama signs homebuyer, jobless bill assistance

I am sure you have heard all the doom and gloom from a million different news reports concerning the lending industry mess, how several loan programs once available are no longer, how zero down loan programs are almost non-existent and how hard it is right now if you have little to zero money available for a down payment. 

But wait; are you a military member or a veteran?  If you are the news isn't as bad.  With your VA Guaranteed Home Loan benefit you can still obtain a loan with no down payment and a fixed interest rate that is as good as or better than a conventional mortgage rate.  This is the time for a VA Loan! What a great benefit to those of you that have served our country!

I want to make sure you understand what a VA Guaranteed Home Loan is.  There are still several myths out there about VA Loans and there are still some real estate professionals that don't understand how it could be the best loan for military members and veterans. 

 

What is a VA Guaranteed Home Loan?

 

Many have the misconception that the military is the organization loaning the money. No they are not. Your VA Guaranteed Home Loan will be made by a private lender, such as your bank or a mortgage company of your choosing that has VA lending approval.  The guaranty means the lender is protected if you fail to repay the loan.  This is also why you will not have to pay private mortgage insurance (PMI) for a zero down loan (if you could find one).  Normally a lender would require a down payment and/or PMI to obtain a loan, since the VA Home Loan has a guaranty which replaces these you will be able to obtain your loan without, but with the same financial terms as if you had made a down payment.  The risk is removed for the lender when the VA gives them that guaranty.

 

Of course you still must meet income and debt requirements, your credit reports will be used and if there are items in your history that are derogatory you can be denied a loan even though you have your Certificate of Eligibility.  The VA cannot demand a lender make a loan to you that would violate their lending practices.  Lenders also must comply with the VA rules and policies when it comes to income and credit standards.  Just having the benefit is not enough, you must be credit worthy. 

 

If a lender is unwilling to approve you for a loan the only thing the VA can do is suggest that you try other lenders. 

 

It could just be the perfect time for you to purchase a home with your VA benefits.  Where else can a person get a 100% home loan these days?!

 

Just found this Video online and thought it the perfect simple explanation -

 

 

I have several first time home buyers at the moment and we have all been talking about the new First-Time Home buyer Credit.  This is the new 2009 First-Time Home buyer Credit.  The $8,000. tax credit that is a credit and NOT a loan.  This credit DOES NOT have to be paid back and as everything there are exceptions.  The exceptions are...  

• Must use the home as a principle residence for at least three years or face recapture of the tax credit amount. Certain exceptions apply. Ask your tax adviser or read Form 5405
  

So back to the "Who is Eligible?".  You can claim the tax credit if you are a first-time home buyer.  Have you ever purchased a home?  If the answer is YES you STILL MIGHT BE ELIGIBLE.   The first-time home buyer must be able to state you did not own any other home during the past 3 year period that would end on the date of your new purchase.  So see you may be a first-time home buyer even if you have owned a home.  It is home-buying "do-overs"!

1. You must have purchased your home after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009 to claim the tax credit.
2. Sometimes it is easier to decide eligibility if you know who CANNOT claim the credit
3. Your modified adjusted gross income is over $95,000 or $170,000 if married filing a joint return.
4. You are a nonresident alien.
5. You acquired your home by gift or you inherited it.
6. You purchased your home from a person you are related to.

There are other exceptions but for your local Kitsap area they don't mean much.  You can find them on Form 5405.

Of course you will want to verify all of this with a tax consultant or go to the IRS web site and look for IRS Form 5405.

I have some ideas about this credit for local buyers so if you are interested please send me an email for more discussion!

Bremerton WA - Naval Base Kitsap Military Relocation.  I have been doing a lot of research the last couple of months on our own PCS (permanent change of station) and while speaking with Jay this morning a light went on. Maybe I will blog about it.  I did write several blog articles last year during the Military Relocation contest and even turned that month long series into a blog of its own - NavalBaseKitsapRelocation.com.  I don't update it but use it as a stand alone type of information site. 

With Jay having chose his next set of orders and receiving his next duty station we will be planning our PCS over the next couple of months.  Jay is stationed in Anchorage, Alaska at the moment.  We have two households, one in Anchorage and one here in Bremerton, Washington.  We will continue to have our home here in Bremerton because I have my business here and since his next tour of duty is a sea rotation he will be deployed more than home over the next 3 years. 

We are headed to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina where Jay will be HMC for one of the units of the 2nd Marine Division.  He is very excited at these orders because he first started his Navy Corpsman career as an HN with 2/2 a few years back.  He is now going back as a Chief.  I didn't know Jay then so this will be the first time I travel to North Carolina.

We will be arranging our 'pack out" in Anchorage for some time in October.  We will ship our household goods to North Carolina, we will ship a vehicle to North Carolina and we will ship his Kawasaki Brute Force 4-wheeler here to Washington. 

After driving to Alaska on that move we have decided to fly to North Carolina via a 30 day leave in Washington.  Jay has to report no later than December 6, 2009.

So this is the first of several posts I will write with the PCS experience.  At this point I am just in the investigation stage and have printed out the "calender of events" from the Military HomeFront web site.  I will be using several on-line sources and will be following the information from my own articles. 

My first step is to use the Military HomeFront's  Plan My Move module and print the calendar and the "to do list". 

My calendar has most of the activity starting in August - so stay tuned.

I will also be following my Naval Base Kitsap Online Relocation Package

 

 

Naval Base Kitsap |Online Relocation Package | Week One - Take Charge | Know Your PCS

When I say "Take Charge" I mean it.  There are so many military members that have no clue on what the move process is even though they have been threw it.  A few months down the road they find out from speaking to someone else that they missed out on some huge entitlements. Remember it is your responsibility to request all of your benefits and to receive the full value of your entitlements.

First you want to educate your self about the basic relocation reimbursement programs. 

Remember not to listen to rumors when it comes to your allowances.  Allowances change from time to time and even if you are doing research on the Internet there are a few .dod sites that are not update and do have the incorrect information.  You need to physically check with the finance office on your installation for the exact amounts.  Just remember that even there you might run into misinformation so book mark this link and read the information prior to your appointment. If you think something is not right then do the research in the Department of Defense, Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance website and the JFTR Portal located there then schedule a follow up appointment. Sometimes those involved either are mislead or don't know that an article has changed. 

 

 

Department of Defense | Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance

 

 

Dislocation Allowance - DLA

•·        The DLA is intended to help with miscellaneous moving costs. It is paid once per PCS move.

Per Diem Allowance

•·        The Per Diem Allowance is to reimburse you and your family for the costs of meals and lodging when you travel to your new duty station.

Temporary Lodging Expense - TLE

•·        The TLE is to partly reimburse relocating members and families for the cost of meals and lodging incurred when temporary housing is needed

Advance Basic Pay

•·        This is basically an interest-free loan you can get when you make a permanent change of station move.  You normally repay advance basic pay in 12 equal installments. This is not something I would advise.

Monetary Allowance - MALT

•·        The MALT is the amount paid when a member and/or the member's family drive to their new duty station, based on the Official Military Table of Distances.

House Hunting Trip Prior to Move

•·        You may request a permissive TDY for up to 10 days.  There is no transportation or per diem paid, members are not charge for leave.

 

I have left off any type of dollar amounts for a reason. I feel it is the responsibility of the member to do the research and be prepared at the finance office meeting.

Once you have a copy of your official PCS orders you will want to make an appointment with your transportation office.  The earlier, the greater your chances of moving on the timetable you desire. At this meeting there will be an explanation of your PCS entitlements. You will have to make some decisions on how and who will move you. Full government move or DITY (which needs approval) or a combination of both. We usually do the combination. We are never over our weight allowance for HHG (household goods) so we file a partial Dity to receive compensation on the weight of goods we haul in our POV (personal vehicle).

You many also qualify to use the online 24/7 Smart Web Move internet site and process the schedule of your HHG's online.  Here you can handle the process at home from your computer.  SmartWebMove is currently serving 80% of routine moves from station to station.  However, if you don't qualify or don't want to participate you can just contact your Personal Property Office. 

We have never been eligible for the SmartWebMove probably because we have alwaysbeen transferred from Marine Corps base to Marine Corps base but I know that is now changing and the SWM is handling Marine Corps moves too.

There you have the process. Now it is your responsibility to "Take Charge" and make sure that you and your family receive your full military benefits. 

 

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If you would like to work with a real estate professional that knows the PCS process here in the Naval Base Kitsap area contact Jo Soss with Skyline Properties, Inc. at (360) 990-1433 or visit her personal website Puget Sound Real Estate Today or her localism blog West Sound Live where you will be able to search for homes and find more Bremerton Real Estate information.

 

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LEAVING ON A JET PLANE......

That's the song that I sing when my husband heads out on a deployment. Yep, he is in the Navy but I have never had the pleasure of being involved with a Navy command. We have spent all of our years together hanging out with the Marine Corps.

Deployment can be a very difficult time in a military family's life so; we have to find the positives. Saving all the deployment pay is one! The first tour to Iraq that my husband went on was my first deployment experience as a military spouse. I knew a little about the extra pays and was eager to learn more. I did pay attention at the Deployment Brief. I took all the pamphlets and brochures I could carry. I remember the LtCol standing at the front of the meeting room leaning on the overhead projector and emphasizing about our budgets. He had projected up on the screen the extra pays that our spouses were going to receive.

 

• Hostile Fire Pay (HFP)/Imminent Danger Pay (IDP). $225.00 a month (HFP/IDP)
• Family Separation Allowance $250.00 (FSH OR FSA)
• Hardship Duty Pay-Location $100.00(HDP-L). Indicated as Save Pay on the Leave and Earnings Statement (LES)
• Depending on the Command and the Branch of Service the service member usually gets to keep their BAS - Basic Allowance for Subsistence . $265.00

 

 

That is a TON of extra pay!! But the bottom line gets even better because all the pay while deployed out side the country in several tax free zones is just that TAX FREE!!!!!

Now that does add up. Depending on the length of deployment you could end up with a pretty nice chuck of change for the purchase of a house, condo or vacant land. Remember how important it is for Military members to own real estate!!

 

 

 

Upon return service members usually receive per diem pay too - that rounds around $3.50 per day and adds up too!!

So add this all together and you could be saving around $800.00 - $1000.00 per month. Multiply that buy the normal deployment of 7 months - oh except for the Army and IA's which is between 12-15 months and that is a huge amount to invest in your future.

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!!!!

 

2009 BAH NAVAL BASE KITSAP | BREMERTON | BANGOR | PSNS | NAVAL HOSPITAL BREMERTON

 

Posts of Interest

First Time Homebuyer

• $8,000 First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit | Who is Eligible in Kitsap County
• It's Official - 1st Time Homebuyers Receive $8,000 Tax Credit Windfall!
• $8,000 First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit | Want your money Now?

Naval Base Kitsap

• Naval Base Kistap | BAH - Tax Breaks - HomeOwnership
• Naval Base Kitsap | BAH Rates E6 | HomeOwnership | Yes you can!
• Naval Base Kitsap | Online Relocation Package | Week One - Take Charge | Know Your PCS
• Naval Base Kitsap | Turn your BAH into Home Ownership – Stop Renting
• Naval Base Kitsap :: Use Your VA Guaranteed Home Loan for ZERO DOWN

Individual Area Real Estate Market Stats

• Port Orchard Real Estate | February Homes SOLD
• Port Orchard Real Estate | March Homes SOLD
• Port Orchard Real Estate | April Homes SOLD
• Bremerton Real Estate | February Homes SOLD
• Bremerton Real Estate | March Homes SOLD
• Bremerton Real Estate | April Homes SOLD

Kitsap Area Real Estate Market Stats

• Kitsap County Homes SOLD 2008 VS 2009 Year to date
• Kitsap County Real Estate Market Data 2007 vs 2008
• Bremerton Real Estate Market Data 2007 vs 2008
• Silverdale Real Estate Market Data 2007 vs 2008
• Port Orchard Real Estate Market Data 2007 vs 2008

Kitsap Real Estate FYI

• Kitsap County | Pending Sales | What a week
• Bremerton Real Estate | New Construction Homes
• Kitsap County Home Buyer's | Closing Costs Paid by Seller

 

Times have changed for all home buyers.  The days of being able to receive very substantial market equity in a three year time span has all but disappeared in most areas.  In the Kitsap County area we have been lucky that our market although slow and undergoing a huge price correction we haven't been as hard hit as areas like Florida or California.  However, we hear daily the horror stories of the housing market which has most active duty military wondering if now is the right time to buy. 

Over the last 5 years we saw the active duty member feel comfortable purchasing even with a PCS due in a short three years because of the escalation of value in several markets. With that now gone what does an active duty member do?  The decision to purchase is tougher today than it was.

But, with education, pro/con honest conversation and the help of several real estate experts you should be able to make the right decision.

So as a military member do you purchase a home?

It is a very complicated process which needs some investigation and education before making that decision. You should ask yourself some questions like these at the minimum.

 These might be considered some of the "con" type questions.

• Do I have upfront money to buy a home?
• Can I get financing?
• Is my tour of duty going to be longer than 3 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 resources?
• 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?

 

These might be considered some of the "pro" type statements.

• Being VA eligible military members can still receive a ZERO down home loan.
• First time home buyers can receive a $8,000 credit from the Federal Government
• Under most circumstances the interest on a home loan is tax deductible (contact a CPA)
• Pride of home ownership is amazing.
• Building equity prior to retirement.

 

 

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 home ownership for a military member should not be scary!!!!

 

2009 NAVAL BASE KITSAP | BREMERTON | BANGOR | PSNS | NAVAL HOSPITAL BREMERTON

 

Posts of Interest

First Time Homebuyer

• $8,000 First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit | Who is Eligible in Kitsap County
• It's Official - 1st Time Homebuyers Receive $8,000 Tax Credit Windfall!
• $8,000 First Time Homebuyer Tax Credit | Want your money Now?

Naval Base Kitsap

• Naval Base Kistap | BAH - Tax Breaks - HomeOwnership
• Naval Base Kitsap | BAH Rates E6 | HomeOwnership | Yes you can!
• Naval Base Kitsap | Online Relocation Package | Week One - Take Charge | Know Your PCS
• Naval Base Kitsap | Turn your BAH into Home Ownership – Stop Renting
• Naval Base Kitsap :: Use Your VA Guaranteed Home Loan for ZERO DOWN

Individual Area Real Estate Market Stats

• Port Orchard Real Estate | February Homes SOLD
• Port Orchard Real Estate | March Homes SOLD
• Port Orchard Real Estate | April Homes SOLD
• Bremerton Real Estate | February Homes SOLD
• Bremerton Real Estate | March Homes SOLD
• Bremerton Real Estate | April Homes SOLD

Kitsap Area Real Estate Market Stats

• Kitsap County Homes SOLD 2008 VS 2009 Year to date
• Kitsap County Real Estate Market Data 2007 vs 2008
• Bremerton Real Estate Market Data 2007 vs 2008
• Silverdale Real Estate Market Data 2007 vs 2008
• Port Orchard Real Estate Market Data 2007 vs 2008

Kitsap Real Estate FYI

• Kitsap County | Pending Sales | What a week
• Bremerton Real Estate | New Construction Homes
• Kitsap County Home Buyer's | Closing Costs Paid by Seller

 

SEARCH SOME LOCAL KITSAP COUNTY HOMES

 

 

LOCATION

Naval Base Kitsap is located in Kitsap County of West Puget Sound on the Kitsap Peninsula. Naval Base Kitsap is composed of Naval Base Kitsap - Bangor and Naval Base Kitsap Bremerton. Naval Base Kitsap is part of the Navy Region Northwest. Bangor is the submarine community and Bremerton is the Ship community. Bremerton is also connected to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (IMF). Bremerton is located in the city of Bremerton and Bangor is located closely to the town of Silverdale.

Centrally located to both bases is Naval Hospital Bremerton which also falls under the Navy Region Northwest. NHB sailors and families use the facilities on Bremerton and Bangor. Naval Hospital Bremerton is a fully accredited acute care and obstetrical hospital. My husband was stationed at Naval Hospital Bremerton when I met him.

Kitsap Peninsula is located just across Puget Sound from Seattle. You can travel to Seattle via ferry or drive around by going over the newly designed Tacoma Narrow Bridge. Depending on the time of day and the traffic volume the trip to Seattle usually takes 1 ½ hours.

You are now in "God's County". The area offers some of the best views of mountains and water as well as some of the best boating and recreational opportunities in the Greater Puget Sound Area. Within a mile radius you have several attractions and facilities to visit and explore.

 

BANGOR

• Active Duty Military 5,700
• Civilian Employees 2,700
• Contractors 1,000
• Family Members 7,900
• Retirees 3,200

 

BREMERTON

• Active Duty Military 7,125
• Family Members 10,800
• Area Military Retirees 14,500
• Civilian Employees 10,371

 

Naval Base Kitsap has a new website location so make sure you bookmarks this URL in your favorites for further information. This link will open in a new window for your convenience.

Naval Base Kitsap Part of CNR Northwest - Supporting Command to the Warfighter

Located on Bremerotn you will find fitness facilities, a commissary and a NEX. You will find the same facilities located on Bangor. The facilities on Bangor are larger as is the housing area. What I find nice is there is always a commissary open. The Bremerton Commissary is closed on Tuesdays, while the Bangor Commissary is closed on Mondays. Of course I really think that all commissaries should be open 7 days a week. What is this 1952!!

 

Until next time....Have a Fine Navy Day!

 

 

 

Authored By: Jo Soss : WestSoundLive.com

 

 

If you are in the United States Military and receive BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing) it is. This is a huge financial opportunity that not many Military members take advantage of for fear of the real estate market and the lack of education concerning real estate ownership.

The average homeowner receives tax breaks associated with home ownership. The yearly property taxes and yearly interest payments are tax deductible on their yearly tax return.

The average Military homeowner receives tax breaks associated with home ownership. The yearly property taxes and yearly interest payments are tax deductible on their yearly tax return, also. However, the Military member receives all of these tax breaks with tax free money since the basic housing allowance (BAH) is tax free. Wow! What an incentive to purchase a home while serving in the Military.

With tax season here and Military W-2' being released (See MyPay release Schedule here) you should really take a hard look at your future financial picture. Are you taking advantage of all your Military benefits? Are you paying more taxes at the end of the year because you have no "tax shelter", no way of filing the "long form"? Are you just coasting by blinded because you think it is too risky to purchase property while serving in the Military? If you need tax advice please seek a professional tax advisor.

If you can answer yes to several of these questions you really need to look deeper into the process of Military homeownership.

• Have you been saving for a home?
• Is your credit profile in good shape?
• Is the tour of duty longer than 2 years?
• Can you anticipate coming back to the area?
• Could you be a landlord if you needed?
• Can you budget two housing payments in the future?

Take a look at:  New 2009 BAH Rates Released | Naval Base Kitsap | Bremerton | Bangor | PSNS | Naval Hospital Bremerton  and see the possibilities.

Currently in the West Sound area there are many homes that are still in a very affordable price range. See for yourself here. Search Naval Base Kitsap Homes for sale Now.

Check here for my Military Buyer Rebate Information. Yes, I do offer a "Military Discount" all you have to do is ask.

Other links for your interest:

Rent Vs Buy Calculator

Buyer's Resources

Free Buyer Reports

Monthly Payment Calculator

Loan Programs

 

Similar Posts

• Naval Base Kistap | BAH - Tax Breaks - HomeOwnership
• Naval Base Kitsap | BAH Rates E6 | HomeOwnership | Yes you can!
• Naval Base Kitsap | Online Relocation Package | Week One - Take Charge | Know Your PCS
• Naval Base Kitsap | Turn your BAH into Home Ownership – Stop Renting

 

Jo Soss-Olson · WestSoundLive · Copyright © 2008 · All Rights Reserved

 

Authored By: Jo Soss : WestSoundLive.com

ETA: Military.com has made an early release - follow the link to see the new rates.  I will be putting together a Naval Base Kitsap article soon.

2009 Basic Allowance for Housing Rates

 

Well, it’s almost that time of year! How many times over the last few weeks have you seen the question posted on military boards across the net?

If you look in the right places you will always find the right answer.  I don’t hold much stock in military boards when it comes to important information. I always make sure that I find the source is a .mil site.  That way you know the information is correct.

Here is the link that gives the date -

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)

The Department of Defense, Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee page is one worth making a bookmark!

 

I will be writing about and posting the Naval Base Kitsap new rates as soon as they come out so be sure to check back!

 

 

Similar Posts

 

• Naval Base Kistap | BAH - Tax Breaks - HomeOwnership
• Tax Breaks with Tax Free Money - How is that Legal - BAH!!!
• Naval Base Kitsap |Online Relocation Package | IT’S YOUR PCS
• Naval Base Kitsap :: Certificate of Eligibility | VA Home Loan :: Have 30 Seconds?
• Naval Base Kitsap : VA Home Buyers
• Kitsap County 1st Time Buyers :: $7500 TAX CREDIT :: Bremerton, Silverdale, Naval Base Kitsap
• Naval Base Kitsap :: Use Your VA Guaranteed Home Loan for ZERO DOWN

 

 

Photo Credit:

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kevin L. Burleson (RELEASED)

 

Jo Soss-Olson · WestSoundLive · Copyright © 2008 · All Rights Reserved