Military family moves are a controversial and well-documented fact. After all, it takes time and effort to get to know a new town and build friendships…only to have to move every couple of years. There are benefits to this lifestyle, of course, as military service members and their loved ones get the opportunity to experience life in new parts of the USA and world! In this post, we’ll discuss the important question surrounding relocation…should I rent or buy a house when looking for Barksdale AFB housing?
Consider the factors before making a decision
Photo by Maria Ziegler on Unsplash
Another big consideration related to your Barksdale AFB housing search is the length of time you think you’ll be staying in Louisiana. As we’ve already discussed, military personnel move frequently, so rentals can often make more practical sense. We mention some other pros and cons below.
Benefits of choosing to rent off-base Barksdale military housing
- Monthly rental costs will remain the same from month-to-month…you don’t have to deal with repair or maintenance costs that would be associated with a home.
- Speaking of maintenance, if you own your house, you’ll be responsible to get any leaky faucets or other issues fixed yourself. Save yourself the hassle and let someone else take care of repairs for you.
- Move in is much quicker and easier, since you won’t have to deal with the hassles associated with obtaining a loan and coordinating with a realtor about this important purchase.
- Why pay extra fees for utilities to have a home when you can rent? Utilities are included if you choose to rent our fully furnished Barksdale AFB housing…saves both time and money!
- Rentals are perfect for short term stays when you just need a place to live for a few months or a year.
- Why spend a lot in moving fees to lug furniture around the country when you don’t have to? Or, who wants to spend a lot of cash purchasing all-new furniture every time you make a PCS (Permanent Change of Station) move? Instead, rent a fully furnished condo or house where everything is move-in ready.
When is it a better solution to buy?
On the other hand, maybe you’re seriously considering a home purchase. Here are some pros to buying…
- It might be beneficial to buy a condo or home if you’re planning to stay in Shreveport for a long period of time. If you’re close to retiring from the military and want to make Louisiana your permanent hometown, it might make sense to invest in a house.
- Are you someone who likes to do DIY projects? Maybe you’d want to buy a place to fix up and resell for a profit.
- Would you be able to sub-let part of your home and recoup costs with rental profits? This is a great option, but remember that it can be tricky to handle all the responsibilities of a landlord, especially if you’ve moved and are now stationed in another state or part of the world.
- As a military servicemember, you may benefit from a VA Home Loan if you’re interested in buying a house. Of course, make sure to read the fine print to ensure that this works for your specific needs.
- Tired of the instability surrounding military life? Buy a place to give yourself some “roots”.
- Family members want to visit frequently? It may be easier to do this with your own home. Talk to your superior officer or others on base to see what the specific rules are for Barksdale.
- Finally, owning a home allows you to build equity for the long-term.
So what will you choose for your Barksdale AFB housing?
Of course, the decision to rent or buy is ultimately your choice. What works best for you and your family? What makes the best financial sense for your military housing needs?
If you choose to rent, Shreveport Bossier Corporate Housing is here to help. We offer conveniently located fully furnished short term Barksdale AFB housing solutions that are ideal for families or individuals. Some of our rentals are only five minutes from base! Each condo features an equipped kitchen area with appliances including a large fridge, oven and Keurig machine. You’ll also appreciate the fact that utilities such as trash pickup, cable tv and WiFi are included. Traveling with a pet? We have pet-friendly rentals. Plus, we give a military discount to honor your service to our country.
Give our owner, Debi, a call at 318-548-6156 or reach us via our Contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!
Sources: https://www.militarybyowner.com/resources/should-military-members-rent-or-own-a-home-what-to-know-before-deciding/, https://www.militaryonesource.mil/housing-life/off-base-housing/renting-vs-buying-after-a-relocation/, https://www.pcsgrades.com/cms/blog/rent-vs-buy-options/, https://thehomesihavemade.com/rent-versus-buy-military/, (1) https://www.zillow.com/home-values/40897/shreveport-la/, (2) https://veteran.com/bah-rates-state/louisiana/
