Military Relocations in Today’s Market

Offutt is located in beautiful and friendly Bellevue, Nebraska (Sarpy County). The base is ten miles south of downtown Omaha, just off US Hwy 75 (The Kennedy Freeway). Offutt Air Force Base is in the 402 area code. Nearby cities include Papillion, Plattsmouth and La Vista among others.

The base is located in an area that is subject to severe seasonal weather. There are occasional wind chill warnings, ice, sleet and snow in the winter, and thunderstorms with the potential for tornados in the summer. Local warning systems are excellent, both on and off base. To contact the Snow and Information line, please call 402.232.COLD(2653).

When arriving in the Offutt Air Force Base area, the nearest major airport is Eppley Airfield which is located about 11 miles from the base. The largest airport in Nebraska, Omaha's Eppley Airfield serves 5 million passengers every year with more than 200 arrivals and departures every day. Most large downtown hotels offer complimentary direct shuttle service to and from the airport.

This decision depends on various factors, including your personal preferences, financial situation, and the length of your assignment. Consider the current real estate market and the potential for home value appreciation. Ultimately, the decision to buy or rent depends on your unique circumstances and preferences. Consider your long-term plans and contact me to help weigh the pros and cons of each option before making a decision.

A VA loan is a mortgage loan guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, designed to help eligible veterans, active-duty service members, and surviving spouses become homeowners. Eligibility is typically based on military service. Veterans, active-duty service members with qualifying service periods, and certain surviving spouses may be eligible. VA loans often have lower interest rates, no requirement for a down payment, and limited closing costs. They also don't require private mortgage insurance (PMI).

If the VA appraiser believes that the actual home value will be lower than the listing price, they will invoke tidewater. This is simply a heads up that gives the listing agent 48 hours to support the listing price. If the appraiser still values the property lower than the purchase price, the borrower’s VA lender will only finance the amount given by the VA appraisal estimate. In these cases, the purchase may fall through. However, the buyer can make up the difference in cash or negotiate a lower purchase price with the seller.

Yes, there are limits on the amount of liability the VA can assume. These limits vary by location and are updated annually. However, eligible borrowers can still obtain a VA loan above these limits by making a down payment. As long as you meet the eligibility requirements and have available entitlement, you can use VA loan benefits more than once, even if you currently have a VA loan.

The VA funding fee is a one-time fee paid to the Department of Veterans Affairs when obtaining a VA-backed home loan. The funding fee helps offset the cost of the VA loan program, making it possible for veterans and active-duty service members to benefit from favorable loan terms without requiring a down payment. The specific funding fee percentage is determined by factors such as the borrower's military category, down payment amount, and whether the borrower has used the VA loan benefit before. In most cases, the funding fee can be financed as part of the loan amount, so the borrower does not have to pay it upfront. However, financing the fee means paying interest on it over the life of the loan. Some categories of veterans may be exempt from paying the funding fee. Exempt categories often include veterans receiving VA compensation for service-connected disabilities.

VA loans are assumable, which means that the mortgage can be transferred from the current homeowner to a qualified buyer. The assumption process involves the new buyer taking over the existing VA loan from the seller. Both parties, along with the lender, must agree to the assumption. The interest rate and terms of the existing loan usually remain unchanged during an assumption. This can be advantageous if interest rates have increased since the loan was originated. I am an expert at VA loan assumptions and love to guide others through the difficult process.