7 Reasons It’s Better to Buy a Home in Colorado Springs than Live in Military Housing

With 5 military installments, Colorado Springs is home to one of the largest concentrations of military families in the country. While you don't always have a say in where you live in terms of location, you typically have some choices when it comes to living on-base or off.

If you're PCSing to Colorado Springs and are faced with the decision of living in military housing or finding your own accommodations, here are a few reasons why buying your own home is the best choice.

No Waiting Lists

Many bases have a waiting list a mile long. It could take anywhere from a few weeks to a year for military housing, especially if you have a family. For many, this means they'll be forced to rent for a time until they can get into on-base housing. As rental prices increase in the city due to a lack of availability, this can put a financial strain on families.

You Won't Have To Deal With Rising Rental Prices

Rental prices in Colorado Springs are currently around $1,100 for a two-bedroom place. Rents have grown so much in the last few years that the city had the highest rental increase in the entire country for a time. They're not quite to the point where they're out of control, but as we've reported before, it's usually more affordable to buy rather than rent.

Build Your Own Equity

"Won't my BAH cover the expensive rental prices in Colorado Springs?" Yes, but by renting, all of that money is helping someone else pay their mortgage. Why pay someone else's mortgage when you can build equity of your own? Renting has perks, one of the biggest being that you're not responsible when the hot water tank quits out or the roof needs repairing, but that's why most military home buyers seek out new construction homes with great home warranties. Build your own equity, marvel in the freshness of a new home, live on your own terms. Does it get any better? Actually, it does. Veterans can be eligible for a VA loan, which eliminates the need for a down payment. Curious? Get in touch with Grant, our lending expert at Movement Mortgage of Colorado Springs.

You're The Master Of Your Domain

Aside from your requirements set by an HOA, you're free to live in your home the way you want to. If you're too busy to cut your lawn, you can hire someone to do it for you. If you want to paint the walls or customize the home to your liking, you're free to do so. If you have pets or want to have a pet, owning your own home makes this much easier.

Live Where You Want

This can be a huge benefit for families. Living on-base has the advantage of being close to support functions like child care centers, the commissary, and some recreation, especially at Peterson AFB and Fort Carson. That said, Colorado Springs consists of dozens of great communities, each wonderful in their own right. Security-Widefield and Fountain, for instance, are less than 20 minutes from Fort Carson and Peterson AFB and feature several new-home communities offering beautiful modern homes, family-friendly amenities, easy access to schools and parks, and shopping close at hand.

You Aren't Restricted By Lease Restrictions and Lengths

Tired of putting off getting a family pet or that decor style you love because of lease restrictions that prohibit pets or painting the walls? When you buy your own home rather than sticking with military housing rentals, there's no restrictions to hold you back on the inside of your home at least. HOA restrictions rarely reach so far as to prevent you from keeping indoor pets or choosing specific types of furniture, but these kinds of restrictions are common with leases. There's also no need to be concerned about lease lengths when you buy instead. If you're suddenly relocated, a real estate agent can help you sell the home from any distance away. You won't have to pay penalties for breaking a lease due to a sudden PCS or get stuck in an awkward position when you're set to change stations in a few months but have a lease that ends next week.

Sense of Community

Another perk to living on-base is the rich military culture and sense of community around you. It's incredibly easy to meet people and become lifelong friends with other military families. Since Colorado Springs has such a strong military roots, you don't necessarily lose this connection when you're living off-base. The same great connections can be made in neighborhoods throughout the city, especially in some of the newer areas.

While living on-base affords you a great level of convenience, the freedom of owning your own home is just one of the many reasons why so many military home buyers choose to buy their own home. If you're looking for a home and not sure where to start, get in touch with the military relocation experts at MilitaryHomeSearch.com now to find out more about the buying process and get connected with the VA loan experts at Veterans United Colorado Springs.