Home Buying Tips For Military Families

When you are in the military, frequent moves come with the territory. Moving often can certainly be challenging for families. It can also be exciting too! You may have already made the decision to buy a home, and begin to grow equity. These home buying tips are meant to address some things you may not have thought about, and to help you feel confident in your decision.

Consider Your Likelihood Of Selling In The Future?

Even if your plan is to retain your investment when you move to a new duty station, as you are home shopping, we suggest you consider points that could influence selling down the road. Is the home in a desirable school district? Does the home have any potential structural issues? Are the appliances modern? You will be looking at these items anyway, but they will become even more important if you decide to sell your home.

Familiarize Yourself With The Neighborhood

If you are looking at neighborhoods near your new base, you will likely have other military families nearby to relate to and network with. That can be a selling point in the future, especially for another military family moving in. Some communities even offer special resources like Joining Community Forces, which works to strengthen the local military community. They work with local providers to consolidate resources to offer faster assistance to service members, veterans, and their families. Check out what is offered in your area. 

Access All Your Resources
There are special resources available to you as a service member interested in purchasing a home. Chief among these resources is the VA Home Loan that can be extremely beneficial. (Check out our other articles delving into the VA Home Loan benefit.) Your REALTOR® can make recommendations regarding mortgage professionals with experience in VA loans. These experts can guide you through the process. Note that not all homes meet VA loan requirements, but it is worth your time to understand all the resources that are available to you. 

Ask Friends And Colleagues 

Talk with your fellow service members and military families who have been through the home buying process. Ask about their home purchase experiences. Ask what they did right, and what they wish they had done differently. These questions will provide you with great information and insights. 

As you begin planning for your PCS move, we stand ready to assist you in your search for a home in your new duty station in Hampton Roads, Virginia, and North Carolina. We invite you to contact one of our Military Relocation Specialists to get started today.