Military Home Buyers: Conquering the Long-Distance House Hunt

Military Home Buyers: Conquering the Long-Distance House Hunt

Military home buyers have a special place in my heart because I know what living in that world of uncertainty is like. Constantly guessing what new PCS orders will bring and wondering how to find a home from afar are all too familiar feelings.

So, when it comes to helping military clients shop for and buy a home long distance, I’m all in. The areas around Wright-Patterson Air Force Base have a lot to offer incoming buyers, and I can’t wait to connect you with a home that fills you with joy.

But first things first! You’ll have to do some work in advance to maximize your buying strategy. If you take care of things like prepping your finances and prioritizing your property’s must-haves, I can dial into your search parameters and hit the ground running for you.

Here’s how to get started.

Prepare Your Finances

I can help you find your future home faster if your finances are in order before we chat. If you have a pre-approval letter from a lender, that’s great, but if you don’t, I can introduce you to an experienced professional, especially if you want to use your VA loan benefit.

These are simple ways to get a head start on the home buying process.

1. Check your credit report for errors and make corrections.
2. Review the BAH for your new zip code.
3. Calculate your debt-to-income ratio.
4. Plan how you’ll pay for home-related expenses like a down payment, closing costs, taxes, necessary repairs, and homeowners insurance.

Set Your Home Buying Priorities

Every family is different, so it’s important that before we talk, you have a good idea of what you need and want from your new home. I can help you work through your list, but knowing your must-haves helps me find optimal options for you.

• Most military families rank these priorities.
• Budget
• Location
• House profile: type, size, bedrooms/bathrooms, age, specialties, like a chef’s kitchen
• Commute
• Zoned public schools
• Garage and yard space
• Distance to quality of life amenities such as shopping and restaurants

Make Time for Careful Research

Understandably, you’re probably spending hours scrolling through real estate ads, dreaming about new paint colors and furniture, but let me recommend spending just as much time researching the cities, neighborhoods, schools, and commute times around Wright-Patt.

Although I will do everything I can to answer your questions, there are some questions I might have to point out resources for you to review instead. Federal Fair Housing Laws that protect home buyers from discrimination restrict some of my answers.

When shopping for a home long distance, internet research is one of your best tools, and your priorities will guide your research.

Cities and Neighborhoods

Buying a home long distance is tricky when you don’t know a location’s pros and cons. So you’ll have to dig into the facts and details. There are many ways to check out whether or not the neighborhoods you’ve chosen are contenders for the perfect fit. First, always search for first-hand accounts from other military families in the area. They’ll give you the scoop you need.

These resources highlight hidden details, such as construction projects, community resources, and neighborhood amenities, that you might miss from afar.

• Online local newspapers
• Neighborhood community forums: Next-door, Niche
• Facebook groups: Wright-Patterson Spouses
• Local police departments
• Area Vibes
• Family Watchdog
• The U.S. Department of Justice National Sex Offender Public Website

Schools

Unfortunately, there isn’t one website or ranking system that instantly produces the best public or private school for your family, but using several combined resources can help you decide. Keep in mind that some of the most popular school ranking websites you often hear about don’t always accurately reflect a school’s performance—there’s just not enough nuanced information.

It’s always a good idea to contact the school administrators you’re considering for specific questions. These neutral and fact-filled resources will help you choose the right school.

• National Center for Education Statistics
• Ohio School Report Cards
• Wright-Patt’s Student Liaison Officer
• School website, PTA/PTO, and social media

Commute Time

I know you want to spend quality time with your family when you’re not working, so timing is everything when you’re stuck in the car. After you’ve chosen a few neighborhoods, play around with Google Maps’ features to clock how long it takes to drive to commonly visited locations. The satellite feature will uncover unwanted features like train tracks and busy roads.

Enter these destinations at different times of the day to check accurate drive times.

• Work
• School
• Extracurricular activities
• Grocery stores
• Medical care

How I Can Help You Buy a Home Long Distance

I know buying a home long distance with minimal in person time is scary, especially if you’re a first-time home buyer. I’ve assisted many military home buyers who couldn’t house hunt in person, and I am sure I can help you, too.

• I’m here to guide you through the process, listen to your concerns, and help you feel confident about the purchase.
• I know the ins and outs of the tech needed for a long distance house hunt: videos, live walk-through calls, quality photos with essential details, eSignatures, OCONUS timelines, and the availability to connect with you virtually when and how you need the meeting.
• I have trusted relationships with local lenders and real estate professionals, such as home inspectors and attorneys, ready to help you purchase and protect your investment.
• I’ve recently helped over a hundred military home buyers use their VA loans successfully.
• I am familiar with Ohio’s real estate laws and will explain which transactions require in-person meetings and which can be completed virtually.
• My eyes, ears, and nose have decades of experience uncovering hidden property issues, so rest assured that your property’s condition is under my micro-scrutiny.
• When we work together, you’ll always receive honest and clear communication. Your questions and concerns are important, and you should feel comfortable contacting me.

Buying a home long distance is challenging, but in military life, it’s a routine challenge that I know how to tackle. Connect with me, and we’ll discuss the best plan for finding you a new home near Wright-Patt AFB.

(937) 451-9696
www.tggroupohio.com