| It's true: Military families sacrifice enough with the hectic | | | | some basic rules that apply when you choose to |
| lifestyle and financial hardship that sometimes | | | | receive a BAH housing allowance. The rules differ |
| accompanies a military career. There are far too | | | | according to which branch of service you are in, but |
| many families in the armed forces who unknowingly | | | | essentially, married personnel living off base are entitled |
| sacrifice their financial future in addition to all the other | | | | to a housing allowance that goes a long way toward |
| sacrifices they make by not pursuing their dream of | | | | buying a home. |
| home ownership. In fact, many service members in the | | | | When military families are separated, or both spouses |
| armed forces just don't realize their situation is not | | | | are members of the service, they may be able to |
| hopeless. There is a way to get out of the renting | | | | qualify for even more of a loan to buy a house paid |
| lifestyle and actually buy a home while in the military, | | | | for by their BAH. While each branch of the military is |
| and what's more - it can be paid for entirely by their | | | | slightly different in its rules, a real estate agent |
| Military Housing Allowance if the property BAH | | | | specializing in military relocation can help you navigate |
| strategy is followed. | | | | these rules and develop a strategy that is right for |
| Of course, we all are aware that salaries in the military | | | | your family. |
| are not the best in the world. They are not competitive | | | | About BAH Rates |
| with the private sector on many levels - that's why | | | | Basic Allowance for Housing rates fluctuate according |
| they call it "service." As a results, it's often necessary | | | | to three main factors: |
| to put all available resources to work on your behalf in | | | | - Dependent status |
| order to qualify for a loan and make the payments. | | | | - Pay grade |
| One of the best available resources is the BAH, which | | | | - Location |
| stands for the military's Basic Allowance for Housing, | | | | If you know these two pieces of information, you can |
| combined with a VA loan. | | | | download the official military 2010 BAH rates table for |
| Use your BAH to buy a home | | | | free and determine how much money you have to |
| It is possible, especially in markets where real estate | | | | apply toward qualifying for a VA home loand and |
| prices have eased significantly since the housing peak | | | | making the monthly payments on it. |
| in 2006, to buy a home using your BAH. There are | | | | |