What are Your Options for Military Housing?

If your military move has brought you to San Diego, you have a number of different housing options available on- and off-base. Let’s go over some basic information about each so you can figure out what may be right for you. 

On-Base Living Options

Your first option is to live on base. You can either move into government-owned housing, or privately-owned housing.

If you choose government-owned housing on-base, the military will cover the cost of your rent and utilities. Naturally, this is an excellent option for anyone looking to save. The downside is that the availability of government-owned on-base housing has dropped over the years.

If you move into one of the privately-owned on-base housing units, you can use your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to help pay your rent. Usually, the cost of utilities is covered by the private company that owns the housing unit.

Off-Base Living Options

If you want to live off-base, you can still use your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to help pay for your rent or home loan. You will need to be able to cover your utilities on your own, however, if the BAH is not sufficient to cover them.

Military members who decide to buy a home rather than rent may quality for a VA mortgage if they meet the service record requirements, as well as the other eligibility criteria.

Here are some of the advantages of a VA mortgage:

• You can move into a home in San Diego with zero down payment.
• Interest rates on VA loans are typically lower than conventional loans.
• You do not need perfect credit to qualify for a VA mortgage.
• There is no PMI on a VA loan, even if you choose not to make a down payment.

While renting with your BAH can be affordable, buying a home is an investment. Even if you expect to move in a few years, you can still profit off of the sale if your property rises in value. Additionally, you can use a BAH and a VA mortgage together—so you still are enjoying the same cost-saving benefits.

Buy a Home in San Diego with an Affordable VA Loan

If you want to move into a beautiful home of your own while you are stationed at San Diego, I make it fast and easy by helping you apply for a VA mortgage or any other type of home loan that fits your needs. To begin, please give me a call today at (619) 857-7191 to schedule your consultation. I love working with military homebuyers, and cannot wait to help you get the keys to your next home.