I am sure as a military member you have heard this phrase about a million times in the last several years. Interest rates have been so low for so long that home ownership has been easier than ever before for anyone and this especially includes the military population, who until recently didn't feel like they could or should purchase properties. Never before has the military population owned a higher percentage of homes.

The days of base living has changed drastically. With most installations switching over to PPV the climate has changed. The thought of waiting until retirement to purchase a home has become a scary thought with the way housing prices in most areas have skyrocketed.

So as a military member do you purchase a home?

It is a very complicated process which needs some investigation and education before making a decision. You should ask yourself some questions like these at the minimum.

• Do I have upfront money to buy a home?
• Can I get financing?
• Is my tour of duty going to be longer than 2 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 recourses?
• 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?

So after you have considered all the possibilities, searched the internet for information and asked around your shop. Are you ready to buy?

Being a military spouse and real estate professional it was still a decision that I wavered back and forth. After sitting down and writing out all the pros and cons my husband and I decided to purchase. My husband is in the Untied States Navy and at the time we decided to purchase we were looking at the second tour to Iraq, at living in southern California and at a PCS 30 days after his re-deployment. We didn't know where we were going, how long we would be there or how the finance industry would view our dreams.

My husband left for Iraq and I knew that I wanted our next PCS to be a "door to door". I started to look at houses in the Bremerton, Washington area over the internet. Having my license but not practicing in the state of Washington I had to find a real estate agent too. I was lucky because I had several contacts from my days of selling homes in Washington. On a trip up to Washington I viewed a property and made an offer with my POA. My husband just so happen to call while I was in the process. I told him what I was doing and promised to email pictures when I arrived back home. I can tell you that it was not a totally smooth process, but I can also tell you that

I am writing this article in the home office of the house that we purchased so, all in all a happy ending. Well, almost. My husband didn't receive orders to the Bremerton area. He received orders to ALASKA!!! We are now building equity in a home we will retire to in several years. I live here and he lives there and we are Continental frequent flyers. What's that phrase "Semper Gumby"? Yes we are! I am back to the profession I love, he loves Alaska and we have the house we plan to retire in or so we think at the moment.

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 homeownership for a military member should not be scary!!!!

Be sure to contact me for my Military Rebate Program - there are huge discounts for buyers at closing. It's my way of giving back to those that have or are serving.