A Few Tips When Looking at Rental Property Near Ft. Eustis or Langley AFB.

By: Williamsburg Military Insider

Are you PCSing to Ft. Eustis or Langley AFB?  If you are planning on looking at a rental property this week in Williamsburg or Hampton Roads, keep in mind several things to help you with your search.  You will be viewing many properties bring with you a camera and a notebook.  In your notebook, note what is important to you before you start our search.  Are amenities important? Is space a priority?  What is your budget?  Is location very important you?  All of these should be put in your notebook so that you can take notes on the properties you have seen to make sure your criteria are met. Take pictures, this is so important because when you begin looking at properties it is so hard to keep track of which offered this versus that.  If you have pictures, you will have a visual catalog of what you saw.  It might point out something you missed during your visit, one of the best benefits to pictures.

Keep in mind the Williamsburg and Hampton Roads rental market is competitive, so make sure you are ready to act if you want a property.  Bring with you your checkbook so that you can offer a deposit.  Also, have with you several references so you are prepared when filling out the lease application. It is always best to be prepared and get your first choice instead of settling for second because you were not.

I am a REALTOR with Liz Moore & Associates  Also; I am part of the Liz Moore & Associates’ Military Team    which specializes in homes for sale in James City County, Newport News, Hampton, York County, Poquoson, and Williamsburg, VA as well as surrounding markets. I offer Active Duty friendly support to families relocating to Langley Air Force Base, Ft. Eustis, Yorktown Naval Weapons Station, and Cheatam Annex.  When you PCS to Hampton Roads, VA  you will find that I understand that when a family member joins the military, the entire family belongs…thank you  for serving our Country, and I look forward to serving your real estate needs!

When you are transferring to Langley AFB, Ft. Eustis, Yorktown Naval Weapons Station or Cheatam Annex, if you’re interested in buying a home for sale call 757-651-3763 or e-mail me at jenniferhernandez@lizmoore.com

PCS Orders to Ft Eustis or Langley AFB: Special Considerations for Military Renters

By: Williamsburg Military Insider

Active duty service members face a big decision when they receive orders sending them to a new assignment: live in military housing, government-leased housing, or buy or rent a place in the nearby Williamsburg or Hampton Roads Area.

In some situations, that choice is made for you. If there are no vacancies on the installation, you may be forced to find your own housing. On the other hand, if there’s ample room on the installation, the local command may require you to live in military quarters.

If you do end up renting a place, be mindful of these unique aspects of being a military tenant.

Government-leased Housing

The Privatized Military Housing Initiative was developed to provide up-to-date housing for today’s military families. But because these facilities are privately managed, the government is not responsible for personal property losses or damages.

Commercial property managers provide a token amount of coverage, but it’s a smart move to purchase a cost-effective renters insurance policy to safeguard your belongings.

Military Housing Allowances

If you’re not living in military quarters, you’re generally eligible to receive a tax-free, monthly allowance that helps cover your housing expenses. It isn’t a blank check — the amount depends on your duty station, pay grade and whether you have dependents.

There are three types of housing allowance:

■Basic Allowance for Housing. The most common housing allowance — BAH — is calculated separately for each location to let service members afford comparable housing no matter where they’re assigned. The amount is recalculated annually. While it can increase if costs in the area rise, an individual service member’s BAH won’t be reduced during his or her tour.

■BAH II. This is essentially a minimum level of BAH that doesn’t vary by location. If it’s greater than what the BAH formula indicates, you’ll receive this higher amount.

■BAH Differential. This allowance is for service members who live in single quarters on a military installation and pay alimony or child support. It’s the difference between the BAH II married and single rates.

Keep in mind that the amounts are completely independent of what you actually pay for rent. If you pay more, you’ll be eating into your regular income. If you can find a home , you’ll enjoy a monthly surplus.

An Important Lease Consideration

As a military service member, you face several scenarios that could prompt you to move out before your lease has expired, including:

■Deployment

■Orders to move onto the installation

■Permanent Change of Station

■Retirement or separation from service

To protect yourself, it’s important that your lease include a so-called “military clause” that lets you terminate it in any of these situations. Your installation’s military assistance officer can help you draft a clause that gives you the protection you need. Also an Realtor can help you with the process . I am available to help you through the rental process jenniferhernandez@lizmoore.com

Orders to Ft. Eustis or Langley AFB: A Military Home Buyer’s Guide

By: Williamsburg Military Insider

You have just received orders to Ft. Eustis, Langley AFB, or Yorktown Navel and it is time to plan for your move across the country, or even across the planet. Under perfect circumstances, which of course don’t exist, this is a major undertaking. And moving gets considerably more complicated when the military member is deployed and the member or spouse cannot participate in the house hunting trip because of childcare concerns, work schedules or deployments.  I have posted a new page  “Military Home Buyer’s Guide.”

Active Duty Military How to Choose a Realtor- Buyer’s Agent for Home Buying in Williamsburg

By Williamsbury Military Insider

If you are a first-time home buyer or relocating to a new area, you will want to hire a realtor who will act as your buyer’s agent.  Hiring a buyer’s agent is an important decision because you will be spending quite a bit of time with this person and he or she will be vetting properties that should reflect your needs.  A Buyers Agent will share valuable and essential information with you.

*Whether the seller would accept a lower price;

*The seller’s reason for selling and timetables;

*How long the home has been on the market;

*Previous offers and counter offers for the property;

*Strengths and weakness of the property.

 Before you choose a realtor, interview a few of them. Get to know them and ask them some hard questions so you can gain confidence in your decision.  Here are a few questions you may want to ask:

1. Explain your experience and knowledge of the market.
2. How many homes have your clients bought in the last six months?
3. Do you preview the home before you show them to your clients?
4. Based on my budget, what are your expectations of my desires being met?  What will I need to compromise if any?
5. Please tell me one thing that I must know about this market and why.

Asking these questions will help give you the information you need to make the best decision for you.  As much as you must have your expectations met, you must also take ownership of the process in order for it to be successful. The realtor will only be able to meet your needs if you are honest with them about what your expectations are.  I suggest you have a list of what you need and want and give it to your realtor.  This will function as an invaluable tool for me to vet the properties ahead of time for you so we don’t waste your time viewing properties that will not meet your needs. I have interview openings!  If you are ready for a buyer’s agent.

Service Members Would Earn Pay During Shutdown

By: Williamsburg Military Insider

Military members would continue to earn wages in the event of an April 8 shutdown of the federal government, but they’d have to wait to collect them until Congress agrees on a budget, a senior administration official said from the Pentagon today.  While having to wait to collect wages, this would stop entilements and the PCS process.

I have learned that on-post childcare centers will be OPEN in the event of a shutdown. They are considered critical services and public affairs officers for both the Army Installation Management Command and the Commander Navy Installation Command have stated they will not close despite government shutdown. This applies to Marine Corps facilities as well, as they fall under the CNIC.
Public affairs office for the Army Installation Management Command, shared that All-Ranks Clubs, gyms and libraries should also remain open in case of a shutdown. They are paid for by non-appropriated funds, and operate independently of the Congressionally-approved budget.

In addition, Army and Air Force Exchanges should remain open, though a few products may not be available for sale. (For example, firearms might not be available for purchase if federally-required background checks cannot be performed.) As with the gyms and libraries, the exchanges are not supported with funds from the government budget, so they may continue to operate.Defense.gov News Article: Service Members Would Earn Pay During Shutdown.

Ft. Eustis Families – EFMP – Army boosts ‘exceptional family’ resources

By: Williamsburg Military Insider

Soldiers and Families need to know that they will be able to find the services necessary for the health and well-being of all their Family members before they depart for a new installation.,  EFMP (EFMP is a mandatory enrollment program that works with other military and civilian agencies to provide comprehensive and coordinated community support, housing, medical, educational and personnel services to Families with special needs) It is  both part of the Army’s promise to Families in return for the sacrifices they make, and its commitment to Soldiers, whose strength and readiness are rooted in the strength of their Families.

Hampton Roads Active Duty Military: Mortgage Relief offered by Bank of America for Active Duty Military

Bank of America today announced programs for its mortgage customers serving in the United States military, improving key benefits for those on active duty and extending mortgage protections for servicemembers beyond active duty. The newly introduced programs include a principal forgiveness loan modification program for military borrowers behind on their payments when leaving active duty; a reduced 4-percent interest rate on mortgages for customers who are eligible for Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) protection; and a mortgage customer service unit dedicated to servicing military customers.

Bank of America’s Military Loan Modification Program goes above and beyond existing programs to assist military customers who are leaving active duty domestically or abroad and are struggling to afford their mortgage payment. The program builds on the government’s Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) and provides a waterfall of solutions starting with principal reduction measures to help customers achieve a more affordable mortgage payment as set forth in the HAMP guidelines:

• First, immediate principal forgiveness to reduce the amounts owed related to their mortgage to as low as 100 percent of the current market value.
• Then, as needed, a reduction of the interest rate, and subsequent extension of the term of the loan to help customers achieve a more affordable mortgage payment.

 Beginning April 1, 2011, Bank of America will also offer a 4-percent interest rate on mortgages for active duty military personnel while they are under Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) protection. This is lower than the 6-percent rate required by SCRA guidelines. The 4-percent rate will be applicable for the duration of the borrowers’ active duty and for 12 months after release.

 Bank of America initially will offer the specialized loan modification program and reduced interest rate to distressed military customers with loans owned and serviced by the bank. The bank is engaged in conversations with investors in other mortgages it services in the interest of expanding these benefits to all the military customers. Participation by those investors is subject to their approval.

 Bank of America previously announced it has established a dedicated customer service team for military customers within its mortgage servicing unit. This unit provides servicemembers who have Bank of America mortgages with a single team to contact for assistance with questions or needs related to the bank’s full range of mortgage options and related SCRA benefits. The unit is staffed by associates with specialized training and detailed knowledge of SCRA policies and guidelines.

 Servicemembers with Bank of America mortgages may reach the dedicated customer service unit at 888.325.5357.

Understanding the Military Home Buyer in Williamsburg and Hampton Roads.

For those who haven’t worn the uniform, their ways can be a mystery. But anyone trying to sell a home in the Hampton Roads / Williamsburg area would be wise to learn more about the needs and habits of military officers, enlisted people and their families. It is that time of year for them to begin some serious house-hunting.

With more than six major military bases, ( Ft. Eustis, Langley AFB ) and hundreds of service members and their families move in and out of Hampton Roads every year.
Across the services, transfers frequently take effect in June or July. Starting in March, April and early May, there’s really a strong demand for military families transferring into the area. They start looking online in March and are generally here in April and May to visit the houses in person for a July move, especially the spouses. A lot of times they have less than a week to come to the area and look at homes.

Active Duty Military tend to move every two to four years, often with little notice, and usually arrive ready to buy having just arrived in the area.

Most military households, like home buyers in general, begin their search on the Internet. Simply including the name of a nearby base in any home listing on the Internet can help attract prospective buyers.