I am sure you have heard all the doom and gloom from a million different news reports concerning the lending industry mess, how several loan programs once available are no longer, how zero down loan programs are almost non-existent and how hard it is right now if you have little to zero money available for a down payment.  But wait; are you a military member or a veteran?  If you are the news isn't as bad.  With your VA Guaranteed Home Loan benefit you can still obtain a loan with no down payment and a fixed interest rate that is as good as or better than a conventional mortgage rate.  This is the time for a VA Loan! What a great benefit to those of you that have served our country!     What is a VA Guaranteed Home Loan?   Many have the misconception that the military is the organiz... 05/14/2009

I am sure as a military member you have heard this phrase about a million times in the last several years. Interest rates have been so low for so long that home ownership has been easier than ever before for anyone and this especially includes the military population, who until recently didn't feel like they could or should purchase properties. Never before has the military population owned a higher percentage of homes.   The days of base living has changed drastically. With most installations switching over to PPV the climate has changed. The thought of waiting until retirement to purchase a home has become a scary thought with the way housing prices in most areas have skyrocketed.         So as a military member do you purchase a home? It is a very complicated process which needs some... 07/16/2008

    With the lure of high salaries in the private sector the Pentagon had to do some "wheeling and dealing". The Pentagon has paid out more that $100 Million - yes I said MILLION in bonuses to veteran Green Bret and Navy SEALS alone. On every military chat board you see the post about bonuses. So what to do with all that money?       We have never had to answer that question in our household, we just say "CHOOSE YOUR RATE, CHOOSE YOUR FATE" and laugh a little. In my husbands 12 years he has never received one.   But for those that do what better an investment than REAL ESTATE!!! How much did you get for your bonus? What was the tax rate withheld? Is this your first bonus? Did you receive an enlistment bonus too           This is like JACKPOT CITY - BABY!! Remember the bonus train will ... 07/16/2008

  LEAVING ON A JET PLANE......   That's the song that I sing when my husband heads out on a deployment. Yep, he is in the Navy but I have never had the pleasure of being involved with a Navy command. We have spent all of our years together hanging out with the Marine Corps. Deployment can be a very difficult time in a military family's life so; we have to find the positives. Saving all the deployment pay is one! The first tour to Iraq that my husband went on was my first deployment experience as a military spouse. I knew a little about the extra pays and was eager to learn more. I did pay attention at the Deployment Brief. I took all the pamphlets and brochures I could carry. I remember the LtCol standing at the front of the meeting room leaning on the overhead projector and emphasizing... 07/16/2008

The Puget Sound Military Guide has been out to the NEX, MCX, PX and well all the X's over the last couple of weeks. I picked mine up at Naval Base Kitsap - Bremerton. Inside you will find a ton of information about all of the bases in the Puget Sound area which includes maps and local tourist type information. Seattle Coast Guard, Fort Lewis, Madigan Army Medical Center, McChord AFB, Tacoma VA Hospital, Naval Base Kitsap Bangor, Naval Base Kitsap Bremerton, NUWC Keyport, Naval Hospital Bremerton, Naval Station Everett, Smoky Point, Pacific Beach Resort, Whidbey Island, Jim Creek Recreation Area and Port Angeles Coast Guard Group Air Station all have sections. This publication is loaded with all the highlights of our wonderful Washington State and has all the information you need to exp... 05/30/2008