Military Resources, Freebies & Discounts w/ Central & Eastern VA PCS Integration
- Adam Garrett
- May 17, 2024
- 7 min read
Updated: Jul 17
Image by author, Adam Garrett, 3rd Generation Realtor, an NAR Military Relocation Professional, at Langley AFB
Community Partners Product for $20k Down Payment/Closing Cost Assistance for Military (Whether 1st Time Buyer or Not, Under Certain Income Criteria w/ Higher Eligibility Options than Many Other Income Criteria in Central & Eastern VA)
While there are a number of potential programs to reduce housing costs, this one is one of my favorites for service members.
Per Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, The "Community Partners Product" "Provides up to $20,000 in down-payment and closing-cost funding to current or retired law enforcement officers, educators, health care workers, firefighters, and other first responders; veterans or active-duty members of the U.S. military or their surviving spouse that are first-time homebuyers or non-first-time homebuyers." One institution that offers this product is our affiliate business, Garrett Mortgage, powered by Langley Federal Credit Union.
Rather than the income limits being solely based on the city, county, or MSA, they're based on the greater of the state median or the MSA median. In Central & Eastern Virginia, that means the state median, which is due to Northern Virginia. That increases the limits vs what they would be otherwise.
2026 Limits throughout Virginia (excluding Northern Virginia, which has higher limits from $93,040-$175,440 for 2026):
(2026 values) | 1 person household | 2 person household | 3 person household | 4 person household | 5 person household | 6 person household | 7 person household | 8 person household |
80% of median state Income | $67,500.00 | $77,150.00 | $86,800.00 | $96,400.00 | $104,150.00 | $111,850.00 | $119,550.00 | $127,250.00 |
Funding is limited and often runs out, but is typically available at least a few times a year. It's best to get it locked in before you start looking, since once you're under contract, it will be too late.
VA Loan Funding Fee Chart
Effective April 7, 2023 & still on July 17, 2026:
"VA Funding Fee Rates for Veterans, active-duty service members, and National Guard and Reserve members
as
Use | If your down payment is… | Your VA funding fee will be… |
First use | Less than 5% | 2.15% |
First use | 5% or more | 1.5% |
First use | 10% or more | 1.25% |
After first use | Less than 5% | 3.3% |
After first use | 5% or more | 1.5% |
After first use | 10% or more | 1.25%" |
"You won’t have to pay a VA funding fee if any of these descriptions are true for you:
You’re receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability, or
You’re eligible to receive VA compensation for a service-connected disability, but you’re receiving retirement or active-duty pay instead, or
You’re receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) as the surviving spouse of a Veteran, or
You’re a service member who has received a proposed or memorandum rating before the loan closing date that says you’re eligible to get compensation because of a pre-discharge claim, or
You’re an active-duty member of the Armed Forces, and on or before your loan closing date you provide evidence that you received a Purple Heart"
Resources for Kids
Military Child Education Coalition
Sesame Street for Military Families
"Receive free grants for kids of deployed soldiers! Grants can be used for Sports, Fine Arts, Camps, Tutoring Programs, etc." (per Frugal Girls)
Tutor.com ~ FREE Tutoring Services for Military Families!
"U.S. military and their families receive FREE homework and tutoring help!" (per Frugal Girls)
Career Resources/Spousal Support
Free Museums for Military
Blue Star Museums "Every year, from Armed Forces Day to Labor Day, our program offers free admission to active-duty military personnel, including the National Guard and Reserves, and their families. On average, more than 2,000 museums participate, including nature centers, zoos, and children's museums."
Join Blue Star (free)
Join Blue Star (free to join) for some free subscriptions and other discounts:
Blue Star Masterclass 1 year subscription ($180 value)
National Parks & Similar $10/yr or Free Options
Per USGS:
$10 processing fee on USGS Store, Free in person at sites that issue passes
Available to Current US Military and Dependents. Documentation is required (See below for details).
Covers entrance to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service sites, and covers Standard Amenity Fees at Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation sites, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sites. (Map of National Forests & Grasslands)
Admits the pass owners and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas, or the pass owner and up to additional 3 adults (16 and over) at sites that charge per person."
Alternatively, you could go on a free entrance day.
Active duty members of the Virginia National Guard & veterans with a 100% service-connected disability have access to free state parks as well.
Financial Resources
Blue Star Financial Resources
Blue Star Food Insecurity Resources
United Way of South Hampton Roads Mission United "connects veterans, active-duty servicemembers, and their families to the support they need."
While the below institutions are common for military in my area of SE VA, & I have an account with each of them, I don't recommend some of them when it comes to a mortgage & recommend ensuring manual underwriting prior to showings. Ask me for details.
Related:
Mortgage Lender Recommendations
Article by Military One Source:
Income Tax and Rental Properties When You’re in the Military
Inclusion Resources
Things to Do
Blue Star Local Favorites Map
Things to Do in SE VA Locations (including map with 9 categories of free things to do and a paid things to do map filter)
Virginia Shopping Map (focused on SE VA, but including other parts of VA & some outside VA
If you're military, you might find that some of your most cost-effective temporary housing options will be on base. In some cases, there will be a warning somewhere about how family spaces are available but that you will need to contact the facility to check on availability and secure a spot.
Per Miltary Onesource's Preparing to Move Benefits Page,
"Temporary Lodging Expense can help reimburse service members for lodging and meals in the contintental U.S. during a PCS.
Temporary Lodging Allowance partially pays a service member for eligible temporary lodging costs outside the United States"
While there are many US military installations around the world, here are some local examples in SE VA:
Hampton:
Newport News:
Norfolk:
Naval Support Activity Hampton Roads Norfolk
Virginia Beach:
Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story
Getaways Fort Story & 67th Street Townhouses
York County Near Williamsburg:
Getting to Base in SE VA for PCS
Norfolk Airport and Richmond Airport both have USO lounges, which are the only free amenity lounges in those airports. Newport News also has a lounge available to active duty military, retired military, & veterans on Loungebuddy despite not being listed on the USO page (it appears to be independent).
Space A travel is a solid low-cost option for military service members with flexible travel if the government isn't already taking care of them for an exploratory trip or if they want to take a few trips.
If flying commercial, as shared by Military Onesource, "If Space-A travel isn’t right for your plans, take advantage of TSA PreCheck to expedite your time at the airport when flying commercial. Use your Defense Department ID as your known traveler number." As shared by the Frugal Girls, a number of airlines, hotels, & rental car services offer discounts and other perks to active duty military.
Related:
Disabled Veterans Resources
State law varies regarding property tax exemptions for disabled veterans (list).
Per a 2015 report, Virginia is 1 of 11 states that "completely exempt a totally disabled veteran's primary residence from property tax."
Virginia law treats disabled veterans well, including:
$40k military benefits tax exemption for year 2025 & later returns
Certain 100% service-connected permanent & total disabled veterans & their surviving spouses receive tax exemptions on real property that they occupy & up to 1 acre of land (or more in the cases of some cities/counties).
"Qualified disabled veterans and their spouses (are exempted) from local personal property taxes on one motor vehicle (passenger car, pickup, or panel truck) that is owned (not leased) and regularly used by or for the veteran."
Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability have access to free state parks as well. See the map I created in the national parks & similar section above.
Home Resources for Owners
More Freebies
Keep in mind that some of these options have additional requirements, i.e. acquiring a pass freely that can be used annually. Not all are for the military, but many are. Select the appropriate categories on the top left that apply to you.
SaveAndInvest.org Offers Free FICO Scores for Active Duty Military Members
More free credit score locations
Once per year military appreciation night w/ free dinner at Golden Corral for active duty, military retirees, and veterans.
Free or discounted event tickets for veterans, active duty military, and their families
Operation Heal Our Patriots "Free Alaskan retreat for qualifying military couples after returning from deployment." (per Frugal Girls)
Military OneSource Provides Free Tax Service
More freebies & discounts from Frugal Girls
Related:
Overarching Related:
About the Author: Adam Garrett - 3rd Generation REALTOR®
Adam is the 3rd generation in a line of award-winning real estate agents serving SE VA. He has served full time at Garrett Realty Partners since May 2014 when he joined the marketing department before transitioning to full-time sales to assist buyers and sellers in February 2015. He believes that an educated buyer or seller makes the best decisions, & is dedicated to helping with that both digitally & on-site physically for buyers & sellers. He's also available for referrals to real estate agents around the globe. In several capacities, his resources & direct offerings for assisting sellers & assisting buyers are either unmatched or are top 1% for the SE VA area, and in some cases, nationwide. Not stopping after closing, he also provides information for tenants, landlords, & homeowners.
Related for Buyers:
Related for Sellers:
Real Estate Agent Assistance:
Get a Real Estate Agent Referral from Adam if not in Adam's coverage area
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