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Naval Base Kitsap | As a Military Member do you Purchase a Home in this Market Climate?

Jo Soss — Tue, 26 May 2009 21:44:19 +0000

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

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Kitsap Real Estate FYI

SEARCH SOME LOCAL KITSAP COUNTY HOMES

Naval Base Kitsap | Schedule of Events

Jo Soss — Sat, 16 May 2009 18:10:15 +0000

Schedule of Events sounds better than organization – RIGHT!?

For a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) relocation, you have three choices on how to move your household goods: commercial movers hired by the military, a DITY (do-it-yourself) move, or a partial DITY move which is a combination of both. I have never done a full DITY move and don’t think I ever would. However, a partial DITY is a very smart choice if you know you won’t be going over your weight limit when the commercial movers package and load your HHGs. You must have permission for a DITY and a partial DITY so don’t assume you can hire a moving van, pack all of your HHG’s and then after you arrive go to the finance office and request reimbursement. It doesn’t work that way. I am sure you knew that, but every year I hear of someone that didn’t know and they were out a ton of money. The military will pay for your move based on the estimated weight of your household items, not to exceed the weight allowance determined by your pay grade.

This is the website you will want to bookmark. MilitaryHOMEFRONT has an amazing relocation section.

MilitaryHOMEFRONT is the central, trusted, up-to-date source for Service members and their families to find information about all DoD Quality of Life programs and services. Whether you live the military lifestyle or support those who do, you’ll find what you need at MilitaryHOMEFRONT.

I am not going to “reinvent the wheel” when it comes to a relocation calendar. I have used the calendar at the “Plan my Move” site of MilitaryHOMEFRONT and it is amazing. You can customize it for you and your family’s situation. I have set it up so that all you have to do is click on their logo here and you will be directed to the Plan My Move section in a new browser.

The next installment of Week One’s articles will be information on the Naval Base Kitsap housing market. I want to introduce you to our neighborhoods, our style of homes and what the real estate market is like here in West Puget Sound on the beautiful Kitsap Peninsula. Whether you want view, water or a nice townhouse we have just what you are dreaming of.

Until then……Have a Fine Navy Day!

Naval Base Kitsap | Installation Overview

Jo Soss — Sat, 16 May 2009 17:52:40 +0000

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!!

In week two of this on-line relocation package series I will write an article more in-depth about the base amenities.

Until next time….Have a Fine Navy Day!

Naval Base Kitsap | Take Charge | Know Your PCS

Jo Soss — Sat, 16 May 2009 17:47:24 +0000

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. The next article this week will address a moving calendar and some time-lines to help you get organized.

Till then…….Have a Fine Navy Day!!