Buying a home with your military BAH
U.S. Military families sacrifice enough with the lower than average compensation that sometimes accompanies a career in the U.S. armed forces. Too many families make an unnecessary financial sacrifice by not pursuing home ownership. Understanding the rules for military housing doesn’t have to be confusing. Many service members don’t see that there is a way to abandon the renter mentality and qualify for a VA loan to buy a home paid for by their military housing subsidy.
Everyone knows that military salaries are not the largest in the world. It is necessary to utilize all available resources to purchase a home. One of the best places to turn is the Basic Allowance for Housing, paired up with a V.A. loan.
It’s now possible, particularly in regions where home prices have eased significantly since since the 2005 and 2006 highs, to buy a home using your military housing allowance. There are some specific military regulations that you must comply with when you choose to receive a Basic Allowance for Housing. The rules differ according to which military branch you are a member of, but basically, married personnel living off base are allowed to apply for an allowance that goes a long way toward buying a house.
When spouses in the military are separated due to deployment, or both spouses are members of the military, they can qualify to get a loan to buy a house paid for by their BAH. Although each branch of service is slightly different in its regulations and their application, an agent who specializes in providing military relocation services can help you navigate the regulations and formulate a strategy that is right for your family.
BAH rates are distributed differently based on three main factors:
- Pay grade
- What base you’re one
- If you have dependents
If you know these pieces of information, you can download the official military BAH Rates table for free and you’ll know how much money you can count on each month to qualify for a VA home loan.