Housing at/around Offutt advice?

[djms19]

Situation: Unattached DD - first assignment RC-135 Offutt. Sounds like she'll be there for the better part of 10 years, with somewhat frequent deployments.
Question: Rent off base or buy a home? She seems pretty adamant about not living on base.
Advice?
Thanks!

 

[NavyHoops]

Don't know anything about Offutt, but was in her shoes years ago. I agree live off base. Buy a house. Townhouse or condo probably would provide maintenance of grounds and stuff which helps for when she is gone. If she can't decide where, rent for 6 months, get to know area then buy. Since she will spend a ton of time at that location and rotate back there more than likely a good spot to make a long term investment. Usually with a base it's easy to rent out to another military member if she got married or moves.

 

[Day-Tripper]

Situation: Unattached DD - first assignment RC-135 Offutt. Sounds like she'll be there for the better part of 10 years, with somewhat frequent deployments.
Question: Rent off base or buy a home? She seems pretty adamant about not living on base.
Advice?
Thanks!

Real estate values in the greater LaPlatte, Nebraska metropolitan area are pretty affordable for an Air Force officer, or anyone else with a job, for that matter. Of course, this means there won't be any big jumps in values that would result in handsome profits after a few years. It ain't Manhattan or the Bay Area or Boston, where prices have gone through the roof in the last 5-6 years.

Other than that, there's the usual pro-cons between renting-and-buying. Mortgage interest & real estates taxes are a nice tax write-off & you are the owner. Renters have no owner-type responsibilities however, i.e. a pipe breaks & you call the landlord.

I'd choose buying if your DD is going to be there for several years.

 

[djms19]

Thanks much for the info!

 

[New@This]

Bellevue seems to attract a fair amount of people that are assigned or attached to Offutt/Stratcom. There is some really affordable housing for purchase. There are also some housing communities that cater exclusively to military families (see this one http://www.risingview.com). There are also some higher end houses in the Bellevue are but the high end houses are in the $400,000 to $500,000 range. Omaha's housing prices are probably going to be in the same price range.

I travel there frequently so know the city well. Your daughter will love it. There is a great tech presence in the area with some large global companies having a presence in area: paypal, gallup, linkedin. Facebook is building its 9th data center in the area. It is home to four Fortune 500 companies: Berkshire Hathaway, Union Pacific, Peter Kiewit Sons' and Mutual of Omaha. It is the home of the College World Series and the US News and World Report places it in the Top 25 cities in country.

 

[Wishful]

 

[Day-Tripper]

Situation: Unattached DD - first assignment RC-135 Offutt. Sounds like she'll be there for the better part of 10 years, with somewhat frequent deployments.
Question: Rent off base or buy a home? She seems pretty adamant about not living on base.
Advice?
Thanks!

Here, I picked out a new house for her:

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/2026-Gindy-Cir_Bellevue_NE_68125_M79043-26149

$260K asking price.
New construction.
1,411 square feet of finished space (good starter home size).
3 bedrooms & 2 full bathrooms.
With just 5% down payment, monthly mortgage payment on a 30 year note (assuming 4% interest) would be $1,920 or so.
Easy commute to-and-from the base.

 

[djms19]

this forum never ceases to amaze me! thanks everyone.

 

[Capri120]

With just 5% down payment, monthly mortgage payment on a 30 year note (assuming 4% interest) would be $1,920 or so.

Actually, that would be the payment for a 15-year note; a 30-year at that interest rate would be a bit over $1200.

 

[Day-Tripper]

With just 5% down payment, monthly mortgage payment on a 30 year note (assuming 4% interest) would be $1,920 or so.

Actually, that would be the payment for a 15-year note; a 30-year at that interest rate would be a bit over $1200.

I was including real estate taxes & estimated home owner's insurance at around $1300/year.

 

[Capri120]

Extremely high property taxes..$700 for insurance, property taxes, and mortgage insurance?

 

[Day-Tripper]

Extremely high property taxes..$700 for insurance, property taxes, and mortgage insurance?

I always estimate high, to be conservative. But Nebraska has some pretty high real estate tax rates. Sixth highest in the US per this website: https://smartasset.com/taxes/nebraska-property-tax-calculator

For new construction homes, insurance is typically cheaper the first 10 years, but like I said I like to guestimate on the high side, to be safe.

 

[Capri120]

I'll stick with Missouri then.. rural.

 

[raimius]

If she is likely to be there the better part of a decade, I'd recommend renting for 6 months to get a better feel for the area. Then, she can decide to continue renting or buy some place that fits well for her preferences.

 

[afrotc16]

In general, most single Lts at most bases will live off-base if they're not in training (and required to be on base in dorms). Being a fairly new Lt myself, I'd concur with Raimius's recommendation and wait until she knows where other Lts live, how much they paid for their places, perhaps find a roommate to split the cost etc. People at her new unit will help her find where the good places to live are it's hard to figure out from endless google searches (believe me, I tried!).

 

[djms19]

thanks AFROTC16!