There’s one thing all service members get used to throughout their military career: change.
Whether advancing in rank, getting orders at the eleventh hour, or transitioning to civilian life, active-duty members all have an honorary degree in Adapting to the Unexpected.
While change can be good, it also brings broader challenges, such as family stress and financial instability. One significant way that we have found to combat those expect-the-unexpected moments, is by having a stable place to call home—even if that changes with each new season.
At WeVett, we’ve been there too. Our team is made up of veterans and military spouses who have gone through (or who are currently in) the PCS life. We understand the stresses involved and that’s why we’ve made it our mission to help guide you through homeownership decisions with a long-term, active-duty focused lens.
In reality, the decisions you face as an active-duty military member are very different from those faced by civilians and even veterans. However, you’re never alone in them.
This is part two of a three-part series where we explain why WeVett is uniquely positioned to help YOU, the active-duty homeowner, make strong real estate decisions throughout your time in the military. In our first piece, we talked through the “why” behind our active-duty focus. Today, the story continues with our 20-Year Client Vision.
What is WeVett's 20-Year Client Vision?
In short, WeVett’ 20-year client vision is to help our clients have a paid for or nearly paid for home by the time they leave the military.
This provides military families the financial freedom to make decisions without the burden of a hefty mortgage (or rent) payment. Decisions such as what job to take, where to live, where to send kids to college, etc. There’s a layer of stress that disappears when the roof over your head is truly yours, free and clear.
The Cost of Constantly Moving without a Plan
Being financially ready for the end of a career is an admirable goal, but balancing long-term financial decisions with short-term assignments can feel like standing on shifting sand.
(You could barely find your can opener during this last PCS, let alone calculate the opportunity cost of buying a home that costs $25,000 more!)
In reality, it’s easy to prioritize the most convenient housing options during a stressful PCS. But over time, those decisions can quickly add up. Missed opportunities to build equity, selling at a loss, or even renting for too long at a single location could mean leaving thousands of dollars on the table.
And sadly, those missing dollars multiply at each new assignment. By the time you are preparing to transition out of the military (whether that’s in 5, 10 or 20 years) you are looking at zero or very little equity in a home, plus a life that you have to maintain on a paycheck that looks a lot different than the one you’re used to.
THEN, to add insult to injury, stack this financial burden on top of a complete identity overhaul (I am in the military vs I was in the military), and you’re suddenly in a place you never expected to be.
Now, let’s rewind the clock and see what happens when we bring in the 20-Year Vision at the beginning of this journey.
A Smarter Path for Military Homeownership
The first thing to understand about the 20-Year Vision is there is no one-size-fits all solution. Military Family A will have a completely different path (and PCS orders) than Military Family B.
WeVett understands this and works with you and your family to provide personalized recommendations based on your unique circumstances.
Unlike local agents or local lenders who are only rewarded for the short-term, immediate deal, WeVett helps you throughout your entire career across every location, advising you at key decision points in the housing process based on your current situation and desired long-term goals.
Let’s look at how this works in real life with the “Joes,” a military family balancing a budding military career with their homebuying journey.
Buy vs. Rent
Early on in his military career, GI Joe and his family are stationed in Norfolk, VA when they receive PCS orders to relocate to Florida in three months. Like most military families facing a move, the Joes reach their first major housing decision point: should they buy or rent at their next duty station?
The assignment is exciting, but there is uncertainty around how long they will remain in the area, especially with the possibility of additional Pentagon assignments or training rotations on the table.
While their ultimate goal is long-term homeownership, they want to be confident they are making the right decision. The Joes turn to WeVett, utilizing the PCS Buy vs. Rent Course as well as the Buy vs. Rent Calculator for an initial analysis, and then connecting with the WeVett team for additional guidance.
After reviewing the likely assignment timeline, home prices in the Florida Panhandle, and the Joes’ long-term plans, WeVett helps them evaluate the pros and cons of buying versus renting. Because this assignment may only last a couple of years, renting provides the flexibility they need while avoiding the short-term risks of buying in an expensive market (WeVett’s baseline three-year-rule).
With confidence in their decision, the Joes choose to rent during their time in Florida while continuing to save and prepare for a future home purchase.
The Homebuying Process
A few years later, the Joes receive PCS orders to San Diego, CA. Once again, a familiar decision point appears: should they rent again, or is this finally the right time to buy?
By this point in their careers, they have built stronger financial footing and are beginning to think more seriously about where they might eventually want to settle down after the military.
San Diego appeals to them for both lifestyle and long-term opportunity, so they begin exploring the idea of buying a home there.
Once again, they turn to WeVett to evaluate their options. Using updated numbers in the Buy vs. Rent Calculator and reviewing San Diego market conditions, the Joes determine that purchasing a home could make sense if they plan to hold the property long term.
Because they have decided to buy, WeVett Realty connects the Joes with a vetted, military-specialized real estate agent in San Diego who understands the unique challenges of PCS moves and VA loans. Their agent helps them find a home that fits their family’s needs while also having strong rental potential if future orders take them elsewhere.
To ensure the Joes get the best possible loan structure, WeVett Home Loans assists them through the VA loan process and helps them close on their San Diego home within 30 days.
Renting vs. Selling
After four great years in San Diego, the Joes receive PCS orders back to the East Coast and face another familiar housing decision: should they rent out their home or sell it?
Knowing WeVett helps guide these decisions throughout a military career, they reconnect with the team and use WeVett’s sell vs. rent resources to evaluate the financial implications of both options.
By reviewing potential rental income, property expenses, and long-term appreciation, the Joes are able to see what makes the most sense for their goals.
Because they may want to return to San Diego someday and like the idea of continuing to build equity, the Joes decide to keep the property as a rental.
Refinancing
As the Joes near the end of their time in service, they begin planning their transition back to civilian life. Their San Diego property has been performing well as a rental, but another financial decision point emerges: does refinancing make sense?
WeVett provides several tools to help them evaluate their options, including the Rate Radar system that monitors interest rate trends and a rapid refinance calculator that estimates potential savings.
After reviewing the numbers, the Joes work with WeVett to refinance using the VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL), lowering their interest rate and reducing the remaining cost of their mortgage.
Military Retirement / Separation
At the end of his service, GI Joe and his family return to San Diego, excited to begin their civilian chapter in a home they already know and love.
Because they made thoughtful housing decisions throughout their career, renting when flexibility mattered and buying when the timing was right, they arrive at retirement with a home that is nearly paid off and a strong financial foundation.
By aligning their housing decisions with WeVett’s 20-Year Vision, the Joes were able to build equity steadily throughout their military career and transition into civilian life with greater financial freedom and flexibility.
GI Joe was able to take the time he needed to transition into a fulfilling civilian career without feeling the financial pressure to take whatever job was available. Instead of a jarring identity shift, GI Joe found pride in his new work and career which helped to cushion the natural challenges of moving from active duty to veteran status.
At the Heart of ‘Home’
The Joes aren’t a unique case among WeVett clients.
Better housing decisions lead to better outcomes, including lower financial burdens and even reduced suicide risk for separated and retired service members who are struggling with those transitional challenges.
At the heart of it all is making the right decisions at the right time, and WeVett is here as your guide from start to finish. As veterans and military spouses, we aren’t outsiders looking in, we’re holding your hand through the deployments, the TDYs and the last minute PCSs, telling you it’s okay—there’s still a place where you can come home.
Do you want to see your own 20-Year Vision come to life? Reach out to us! Our team is ready to help get you there.