What are my housing options at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall? Is buying better than renting there?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 14:46:26 -0500

My report date isn’t until January 2023, but I can’t find much of anything on housing for that area like I was able to when I PCSed to Carson. Is buying better then renting there? I’ll be there for 36 months so I’m just trying to figure out the best option. I know when I was at JBLM they had the RPP for renting which was super helpful not having to dish out thousands of dollars in move in fees. Any help would be great as I currently do not have a sponsor assigned yet. Thanks!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2022 10:43 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 22:43:45 -0500

Did you contact the housing office there?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2022 11:24 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 23:24:19 -0500

I was at the Pentagon and lived in Fort Belvoir housing

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2022 11:53 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 23:53:35 -0500

My son SFC Steven Borders was assigned to Joint Base Anacostia–Bolling but stayed in Fort Belvoir housing. It was pretty good housing and fairly centrally located.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Feb 22 at 2022 1:31 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Tue, 22 Feb 2022 13:31:04 -0500

You will need to contact the housing authority and get a current baseline to go off of. The answers to your questions are subject to change. Especially in a year from now. I was stationed in DC and it is a mixed bag. Using housing isn't a bad choice but you may not get something close to your duty station. There is a mix of housing in the DC area. You could be right on post. But you could just as easily be stuck with something at Bolling Airforce base. Still close but with DC traffic it won't be as close as you want. Renting/buying is the same. You could find something decent but the better places will mean a bigger commute.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2022 8:48 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 25 Feb 2022 20:48:50 -0500

I strongly advise against purchasing in that area. I am currently stationed at JBM-HH. Housing rates are at an all time high. You’ll be paying 50-75k over assessed value of the home and probably have to waive all inspections in order to get your offer accepted. I recommend renting until the market levels back out. The only way it would make sense is if you are going to keep the house for decades, and that’s because interest rates are low.