My husband is stationed at Charleston AFB South Carolina for 2 years, would it be better to rent or buy?

Question

we did stay on base housing and we didn't like it at all!

Answer 1

Rent. Thing change constantly in the military, just because the assignment is 2 yrs doesn't mean you'll be there that long.

Be sure and check with the base housing office. If you move out of base housing, will they stop your housing allowance?

You didn't say if you had lived in base housing at Charleston, if not don't judge that housing based on other places. It's often the neighbors that make base housing tolerable.

The housing market isn't priced in favor of military families right now. Save as much $$ as you can each month.

Been there, done that - over 22 yrs with USAF, moved 15 times!!

Answer 2

My husband is in the Navy in Goose Creek,SC on the Naval Weapons Station Charleston. We've lived in our forty-year-old lead paint ridden base housing for almost a year now, and we're sick of it. Depending on your price range, it can be a good thing. BAH for the area is $900+ a month. Think about it...you pay $900 a month to live in base housing, and gain no equity. The AF housing is much much nicer than what we have, but it's still not like owning your own home. DH and I are looking in Liberty Hall Plantation in Goose Creek--we found a 3br, 2 bath home that is still being built and will be finished in November for $165,000. If you have any more questions about real estate in the area, I've definantly done my homework, so you can feel free to shoot me an email ([e-mail]). Hope this helps!

P.S.: If you buy a house, you can live in it for a few years, get the military to pay your mortgage, and, if you get transferred, rent it out for twice your mortgage payment. You'll really be making your money back then!

Answer 3

Look closely at the housing market first. Compare rental rates to the monthly cost for mortgate payments, etc. In many parts of the country, mortgage payments are lower than rent; often MUCH lower.

If that's the case there, then go ahead and buy! When you PCS out, turn it over to a property manager and let your tenant pay your mortgage for you. You'll amass equity at little or no out of pocket expense and have a nice tax shelter to boot.

I bought real estate at most places I was stationed in my 21 year career and held it when I PCS'd out. I recently sold off my investment properties and pocketed profits well into six figures after taxes. Not bad for your typical enlisted troop!

Let your housing allowance work for you!

Answer 4

lease. procuring isn't properly well worth the time. As a retiree, I talk from journey. Being interior the provider ability which you would be shifting 'very' often (each 2-3 years). You effective won't be able to build any fairness that way. i become stationed on the Coast look after base (on the Battery) and lived in North Charleston (close to to the Mall). i do no longer propose procuring.

Answer 5

Buying is always better than renting. You will have something to show for your money, equity in your home. Renting only gives you a pile of rent receipts. If you can buy, do so. It also gets you out of the military housing and into the real world.

Answer 6

you dont need to rent the military provide you with a on base house.

or u can take the money that you get for living and rent a place.

Answer 7

i'm ex adaf myself. if you like the area and want to return when he retires or gets out, by all means, buy. you can rent it out when you get stationed elsewhere. if you don't like the area, have no desire to ever return there, etc. . . rent. and your two years will go by quickly, i promise.

Answer 8

I would buy because no matter what you would have a place to go to that's your.

Answer 9

should let him go and have fun yourself meanwhile;)