What to do with a new house during deployment?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 08:24:02 -0400

I'm a single National Guard Member. I recently just brought a home in the last 3 months. I'm getting on a last minute deployment, like real short. I'm looking for advice on what to do with my home while gone. I know technically I can't rent it out because I used my VA loan to get it. Does anyone know of any other options. I definitely do not want to sell it. I live in a pretty good neighborhood, but I worry about having the house sit empty for so long. House squatting has been on the rise in MD. I'm not trying to come back to that for sure.

Response by COL Lee Flemming made Aug 24 at 2016 8:33 AM

COL Lee Flemming — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 08:33:27 -0400

Great question; with no great answer. Sublet to a family member may be the safest, but that is also wrought with risk. GL with this one; I do not envy you!!

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2016 8:40 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 08:40:12 -0400

My understanding is that you could rent it out temporarily. The provisions with the VA loan are that you are not using it for the sole purpose of buying an investment property.

Response by SSgt Jim Gilmore made Aug 24 at 2016 8:52 AM

SSgt Jim Gilmore — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 08:52:09 -0400

Contract a management company to look after it, pay your bills etc for the duration of deployment/

Response by PO1 John Miller made Aug 24 at 2016 11:14 AM

PO1 John Miller — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 11:14:29 -0400

Do you have any fellow Guardsmen who can "rent a room" from you while you're deployed? One who isn't being deployed themselves?

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Aug 24 at 2016 11:53 AM

SSG Carlos Madden — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 11:53:20 -0400

Who is your loan through?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2016 11:53 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 11:53:35 -0400

I think you can rent it out temporarily while you're on deployment, not 100% on that though.
If you have any family or a trusted friend that is nearby I'd have them watch the house while you're gone.

Private security or an alarm company might be an option. If it's a private security company they can send guards by every so often to check on the place or an alarm company is self explanatory.

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2016 7:01 PM

SP5 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 19:01:42 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member In the event of an early return from deployment, be certain that your lease agreement contains language that allows you to terminate the lease with no penalty to you - given a reasonable window to notify your tenant of the required termination. The advice to get a good management company to handle the affair is on the mark, and be sure to check out their references as well. Good luck and stay safe and healthy.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 24 at 2016 7:55 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 19:55:31 -0400

property management company. try to do your homework first and find a reputable one in your area(ask around for referrals or contact a real estate company and see if they can provide the service OR suggest a company that can)

Response by SPC Christopher Morehouse made Aug 24 at 2016 9:23 PM

SPC Christopher Morehouse — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 21:23:28 -0400

Have a friend house sit. Or rent it to a friend off the books. The VA loan provision you are referring to is supposed to keep people from using the VA loan program for investment properties. The home is still technically your primary residence, you're just being deployed and not enjoying it at the time. Be careful though renting while you wont be around, there could be a lot of headaches down that road. Make sure you have some one you trust around to take care of things for you while you're gone.

I'd be weary of renting the house out to some one you don't know while you are gone on deployment, but I don't think the VA loan is going to exclude that option for you, so long as you make it clear to whom ever you are renting it to that you intended to move back in immediately at the end of your deployment.

Crappy timing brother, best of luck to you.

Response by SPC Brian Mason made Aug 25 at 2016 2:53 AM

SPC Brian Mason — Thu, 25 Aug 2016 02:53:13 -0400

As long as the mortgage and bills are paid and the yard and all is maintained, why not let a family member or trusted friend live there? Make sure you really trust this person. My paternal grandmother passed a few years ago and one of my sister's sons tried to claim that squatter crap. His mother, from what I know didn't do anything about it. Anyway, I don't speak to the little pile of you know what. That was a demeaning thing to do to one's own family.

Response by TSgt Bober Babai made Aug 12 at 2022 5:58 AM

TSgt Bober Babai — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 05:58:24 -0400

Start from the roof of the house, I think you will understand what I'm talking about when you start from this point, so good luck to you

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2022 6:32 AM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 06:32:56 -0400

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Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2023 5:56 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Jan 2023 17:56:43 -0500

You can rent it with a VA loan (as long as you lived in it first), or have someone you trust watch it for you