Before your search
Confirm the reporting location, expected arrival window, travel availability, and a realistic housing budget. Discuss temporary lodging and schedule flexibility.
MILITARY & RELOCATION
New orders. A familiar face in your corner.
From your first questions to your arrival in Northern Virginia, get personal guidance around your timeline, your commute, and your next chapter.
Plan your move
A PLACE FOR YOUR NEXT CHAPTERVA loan basics
Little or no down payment
Eligible buyers with full entitlement can often buy with $0 down.
No monthly PMI
VA-backed purchase loans do not require monthly mortgage insurance. Compare your complete payment and costs with your lender.
Funding fee
A one-time VA funding fee may apply; some borrowers, such as veterans receiving VA disability compensation, are exempt.
Certificate of Eligibility
Your lender can pull your COE to confirm your benefit and entitlement.
Details depend on your service and entitlement. Confirm with a VA-approved lender or VA.gov home loans.
Where to look near your base
Marine Corps Base Quantico
Prince William and Stafford counties
Fort Belvoir
Fairfax County, near Lorton and Springfield
Your PCS plan
Open each step to plan your financing, home search, and arrival.
Step 1Map out your PCS timelineStart with your reporting location, arrival window, and housing priorities.
Your starting information
Share your expected report date, duty location, target monthly housing budget, and whether you need temporary housing. Do not send orders or sensitive service records through the website form.
Build flexibility
We discuss travel availability, lease timing, household goods delivery, and a backup plan if your purchase and arrival dates do not align.
Step 2Confirm financing with your lenderUnderstand eligibility, entitlement, and the actual costs for your situation.
Check your benefit
Request a Certificate of Eligibility and have your lender review your entitlement, income, credit, and proposed purchase. A COE does not itself approve a loan.
Review cash and monthly costs
Ask for a written estimate covering payment, closing costs, and any applicable funding fee. No down payment does not mean no cash is needed at closing; exemptions and lender requirements depend on your circumstances.
Step 3Compare locations and tour remotelyNarrow your options before making a house-hunting trip.
Use the actual destination
Compare the specific installation entrance or workplace you expect to use, your work schedule, and transportation options. Nearby on a map does not guarantee a short commute.
Make video tours useful
Tell me which details matter most, such as room layout, storage, stairs, parking, or outdoor space. We can use video to shortlist homes while arranging appropriate inspections and document reviews.
Step 4Coordinate the contract and your arrivalKeep the purchase schedule connected to your move.
Track separate milestones
Lender approval, appraisal, inspection, and settlement each require coordination. A VA appraisal is not a substitute for a home inspection.
Confirm the closing logistics
Discuss remote signing or power-of-attorney needs early with your lender and settlement provider. Confirm possession, utilities, and moving arrangements under the signed contract.
Review the official VA home-buying process, eligibility requirements, and funding fee and closing costs with your lender.
A THOUGHTFUL NEXT CHAPTERYOUR MOVE, ORGANIZED
More clarity for your next assignment.
Orders, financing, house-hunting travel, and household goods rarely run on the same calendar. Bring them into one plan with practical checkpoints and reliable sources.
With your lender
Review eligibility, entitlement, underwriting, cash needed to close, and any applicable funding fee or exemption. A benefit is not the same as loan approval.
During remote tours
Share the features you need to see closely. Video can help narrow options, while professional inspections and document reviews investigate the property further.
Before arrival
Coordinate settlement, possession, utilities, household goods, and school enrollment. Confirm any remote-signing requirements early with the closing team.
ANSWERS BEFORE THE NEXT STEP
Military & VA questions, answered.
Does a VA loan mean no money is needed at closing?
Not necessarily. A down payment may not be required for an eligible purchase, but closing costs, prepaid expenses, and a funding fee may still apply. Entitlement, appraisal, purchase price, lender requirements, and exemption status affect the result. Ask your lender for a written estimate for your specific purchase.
How do I confirm eligibility and entitlement?
Use VA’s official Certificate of Eligibility process and discuss the result with a VA-approved lender. The lender also evaluates income, credit, and other underwriting requirements. Prior use of a VA loan can affect available entitlement, so explain your existing properties and loans before relying on a budget.
Can I use a VA loan again?
Prior use does not automatically mean the benefit is unavailable, but remaining entitlement or restoration requirements can affect your next purchase. Have the lender and VA review your situation, including any current VA-backed loan. Do not assume another zero-down purchase is possible until the relevant details are confirmed.
How should I compare homes near an installation?
Use the actual gate or work location, shift times, and transportation options. Consider school and childcare trips, parking, and a backup route. A short map distance may still involve a long drive or access delay. Our county and city guides provide rail options and sample station distances to help start the comparison.
Can I buy while I am still stationed elsewhere?
We can plan remote conversations and video tours around your availability. Discuss signing, notarization, any power of attorney, and required documents early with your lender and settlement provider. A video tour does not replace an inspection; build in professional review and a clear process for unresolved questions.
What if my orders or arrival date change?
Tell your lender and transaction team promptly. We review the actual contract deadlines, financing implications, and any alternatives that might be negotiated. A change in orders does not automatically rewrite a purchase agreement. Discuss legal questions with a qualified adviser and maintain a practical temporary-housing backup.
Official resources: VA home-buying process ↗ · VA eligibility and entitlement ↗ · VA funding fee and closing costs ↗
GOOD MOVES START WITH A CONVERSATION
Thank you for your service
Call or text Sam to plan your move to Northern Virginia.