By: David Kucic RA, ABR, AHWD, e-PRO, GRI
First Sergeant, USA (Ret)
Tropic Lightning Real Estate, Oahu, Hawaii
http://davidkucic.com
mailto:david@davidkucic.com

As more servicemen and women learn about the benefits of home-ownership, they are more willing to take that big step into their first purchase.  Some TV shows such as "Flip That House" and those late night infomercials about how you can "get rich" by purchasing real estate are a big factor in motivating some of them.  If you have a chance to work with a service member, you will not regret it.  Unfortunately, some of those TV shows are far fetched and only represent a very small percentage of what can be achieved by buying real estate in Hawaii, but one thing is for sure:  it is better to buy than rent. 

This is for agents that are not in areas that service the military may not realize what types of entitlements the government is giving to these service members.  I will touch on a few examples of the high, low and mid-ranges of these allowances.

The first item they all receive is "Basic Pay".  For the year beginning on Jan 1, 2007, the lowest basic pay for that service member first coming into the military is $1203 per month.  If that service member is married, he or she is also entitled to a separate housing allowance which is called "Basic Allowance for Housing" or BAH.  The BAH is based off of surveys that are taken at each military installation to determine average rental costs.  For example:  the BAH in Honolulu County for that brand new service member is $1768 per month (2006 rate). 

A mid-grade officer with 10 years in service, most likely a Major, would get $5602 per month basic pay (2007 rate) and an additional $2503 per month for BAH (2006 rate).

A senior non-commissioned officer (enlisted) with 22 years of service would get $5010 per month basic pay (2007 rate) and an additional $2775 per month for BAH.

There are other entitlements on top of these which include "Basic Allowance for Subsistence" or BAS.  This is an entitlement for purchasing food throughout the month.  Lastly, there are "Cost Of Living Allowances" or COLA that are given to service members monthly to offset the high cost of living in some very expensive areas. 

Make sure you checdk on the servicemembers VA loan eligibility.

You can access the 2006 pay scale at http://www.dod.mil/militarypay/pay/bp/01_activeduty.html

MILITARY BASES, POSTS AND FORTS ON OAHU, HAWAII AND POHAKALOA TRAINING AREA BIG ISLAND OF HAWAII

Schofield Barracks: Mililani, Wahiawa, Kapolei, Waipahu, Ewa Beach, Waipahu, Makakilo, Oahu, Hawaii Schofield Barracks and adjoining Wheeler Army Airfield are the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Brigade, Aviation Brigade, 45th Sustainment Brigade and the 8th Military Police Brigade.  In addition, the 8th Theatre Sustainment Command, 65th Engineer Battalion, 25th Special Troops Battalion and the 556 Personell Service Battalion are also part of the Division team and play an integral role in the success of the Division.

There are also two Brigades that are stationed in other locations.  The 1st Brigade is stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington and the 4th Brigade is stationed at Ft. Richardson, Alaska.

The 25th Infantry Divison has proudly served in numerous wars and conflicts around the globe.  The Soldiers that make up the division are currently deployed to several locations to include Iraq.

Pearl Harbor: Pearl City, Pearlridge, Aiea, Salt Lake, Honolulu, Waipahu, Oahu, Hawaii

Hickam Air Force Base: Pearl City, Pearlridge, Aiea, Salt Lake, Honolulu, Waipahu, Oahu, Hawaii

Marine Corps Base Kaneohe: Kaneohe, Kailua, Oahu, Hawaii

Camp H. M. Smith: Salt Lake, Moanalua, Honolulu, Aiea, Pearl City, Pearlridge, Oahu, Hawaii

Tripler Army Medical Center: Salt Lake, Moanalua, Honolulu, Aiea, Pearl City, Pearlridge, Oahu, Hawaii

Fort Shafter: Salt Lake, Moanalua, Honolulu, Aiea, Pearl City, Pearlridge, Oahu, Hawaii

Wheeler Army Airfield: Mililani, Wahiawa, Kapolei, Ewa Beach, Waipahu, Makakilo, Oahu, Hawaii

Helemano Military Reservation: Wailaua, Wahiawa, Mililani, Haleiwa, Oahu, Hawaii

Kahuku Training Area: Kahuku, Oahu, Hawaii

Kilauea Military Reservation: Hilo, Kona, Hawaii

Pohakuloa Training Area: Hilo, Kona, Hawaii

Makua Military Reservation: Waianae, Nanakuli, Makaha, Oahu, Hawaii

TEMPORARY LODGING FACILITIES FOR THE ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE, MARINE CORPS, COAST GUARD, RESERVISTS, NATIONAL GUARD, DOD CIVILIANS AND RETIREES ON OAHU, HAWAII

The Hale Koa Hotel on Waikiki Beach: Honolulu, H

The Inn at Schofield Barracks: Mililani, Wahiawa, Kapolei, Waipahu, Ewa Beach, Waipahu, Makakilo, Oahu, Hawaii

The Royal Alaka'i at Hickam Air Force Base

The Lodge at Kaneohe Bay and the Cottages at Kaneohe Bay

Navy Lodge Hawaii at Pearl HarborThe Beach Cottages at Kalaeloa (formerly Barbers Point NAS): Mililani, Wahiawa, Kapolei, Waipahu, Ewa Beach, Waipahu, Makakilo, Oahu, Hawaii

Tripler Army Medical Center Guest House

Bellows Air Force Station Beach Cabins

GOLF COURSES ON OAHU, HAWAII FOR ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE, MARINE CORPS, COAST GUARD, RESERVISTS, NATIONAL GUARD, DOD CIVILIANS AND RETIREES

Leilehua Golf Course (Army, Schofield Barracks) Mililani, Wahiawa, Kapolei, Waipahu, Ewa Beach, Waipahu, Makakilo, Oahu, Hawaii

Walter Nagorski Golf Course (Army, Ft. Shafter)

Mamala Bay Golf Course and Kealohi Golf Course (Air Force, Hickam AFB)

Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course (Marine Corps, Kaneohe Bay)

Barbers Point Golf Course (Navy, Barbers Point): Mililani, Wahiawa, Kapolei, Waipahu, Ewa Beach, Waipahu, Makakilo, Oahu, Hawaii

Navy Marine Golf Course (Obvious Right?)

COMMISSARIES ON OAHU, HAWAII FOR ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE, MARINE CORPS, COAST GUARD, RESERVISTS, NATIONAL GUARD, DOD CIVILIANS AND RETIREES

Schofield Barracks Commissary near Wahiawa, Waipahu and Mililani, Hawaii  Kaneohe Marine Corps Base Commissary near Kaneohe and Kailua, Hawaii             Barbers Point Commissary near Kapolei, Ewa Beach and Makakilo, Hawaii            Pearl Harbor Commissary and Hickam Air Force Base Commissary which are both near the cities of Pearl City, Pearlridge, Aiea and Honolulu.

Aloha!