Buying a Home In North San Diego County as a Member of the Military

Deciding on whether to buy or rent a home, where to look for property and then actually going through the process can feel overwhelming for anyone. Certainly, we can all agree that buying a house is a huge step to take for anyone, especially if they’re trying to raise a family. But, what about if you’re in the military? What does that mean for the home buying process? Quite a bit, actually.

Why North San Diego County?

North San Diego County is, of course, attractive to everyone from all walks of life. Its natural beauty, great weather, interesting and growing economy, and reasonable prices make it a sought after location for homebuyers. But, there is a significant military population in the area for these reasons and more. The biggest reason is because of the military infrastructure in place throughout the region, specifically Camp Pendleton.

Camp Pendleton is the major base of operations for the United States Marine Corps on the west coast. Many military families look for homes in Oceanside due to its proximity to Camp Pendleton, which is right to the north of the city. Of course, everyone has their own personal preference. While your biggest point of decision might be proximity, maybe you actually want a little distance from the base. Maybe you’re planning ahead for life after the military. Cities like Carlsbad or San Marcos are also popular choices because they are still close enough to where one needs to be for work while also offering some desired distance. Of course, details like school systems, style and size of homes, and more all play a part in the city that a family ultimately chooses.

Taking Advantage of Your Military Benefits

As you know, there are a variety of benefits offered to members of the military for their service. One such benefit is the ability to take advantage of VA loans. These mortgages that are processed through the Department of Veterans Affairs are essentially private loans that are partially guaranteed by the VA, so they are a leg up insomuch as not necessarily requiring mortgage insurance or a minimum credit score. There are still fees and other specifics you will be responsible for, however, so it’s important that you understand all terms.

Typically, members of the military, the reserves, or National Guard, as well as veterans, qualify for a VA loan, though there are certain rules regarding length of service and active duty time that must be considered. You will want to check on this directly. Once you are sure that you qualify, you can submit a form for a certificate of eligibility online.

Why Buy as a Member of the Military?

The cities that make up North San Diego County are beautiful and you’ll no doubt want to stay for the foreseeable future once you settle in. But, practicality does have to win the day. You might be wondering if it would be wise to buy rather than rent. This is especially true if you’re not sure where your military commitments will send you. This is reasonable, but there are definitely some good reasons to buy now if you’re on the fence about it.

While this isn’t universally the case because areas vary, it could very well be less expensive to buy than to rent. Remember, rents have pricing built in so that the property owner can turn a profit. Your mortgage payment could end up being lower than rent prices in the area you’re interested in. Renting may also be significantly more expensive if you require a home that can support a larger family. If you have multiple children and pets, you could quickly find yourself in a situation where a mortgage definitely makes more sense than a rent payment just due to the amount of space you need to pay for.

You also may decide you want a “forever home” right now. Depending on where you are in your career, you could be confident that you’re ready to wind down and stay in one place. While “forever” doesn’t necessarily mean just that, you could see yourself staying put for a significant number of years. You may also not be interested in having to deal with things like expiring leases right in the middle of a tour.

There are many reasons why buying instead of renting could make sense for you. Why not take advantage of your military benefits and invest in a property? Even if you do move, you could accrue significant value in the home by the time you do.

Conclusion

If you’re ready to make the next move and purchase a home in Oceanside, Carlsbad, San Marcos, or the surrounding areas, contact us today. We’ll help you find the home of your dreams in North San Diego County.