Military Relocation - DMV 

Factors to Consider when moving to the DMV (DC, Maryland, Virginia) area

Which base you

are assigned to

Commute time

you desire

Which School District if you

have children living at home

Commuting Options in the DMV

DRIVING - we recommend getting an EZPass or EZPassFlex if you don't already have one. This allows you to drive in the express lanes for a fee, or free with Flex. Traffic patterns change based on the time of day, weather conditions, holidays and during the school year vs the summer. It doesn't take long to learn these patterns and adjust your schedule to it.

METRO - there are several lines in the DMV to choose from (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue and Silver). Look over the metro map to see which lines are closest to your work and then choose a neighborhood to live that is walking distance to that metro line or one that has a large parking lot.

BUSES - almost every neighborhood in the DMV is near a bus line that can either take you directly to your work, or it can take you to a metro stop. These are the Metro Buses and are very popular to use in the DMV to get around. There is also a line that runs directly to the Pentagon in many of the suburban neighborhoods.

VRE (Virginia Railway Express) - there are two routes for this in VA. One begins south along I-95 in Fredericksburg (red line), the other comes from the west in Manassas (Blue line). Both lines end at Union Station and have 4 overlapping stops near there.

SLUGGING - this is basically modern day organized hitchhiking and happens at specific designated areas/parking lots in VA and DC. First come first serve and a few other unwritten rules are followed to make the experience simple and allows the drivers to use the carpool lane for free.

CARPOOLING - many times there are several other individuals headed to the same base or destination and they coordinate a carpooling system. Check with your local base to see if a group exists, or start one once you arrive with others that live near you.

Rent vs Buy vs Base Housing

RENTING

• If you will only be in the area for 1-2 years, renting may be the best option.
• VA has a clause in the lease agreement that does allow you to get out of your lease should you get reassigned during the time of your lease.
• We recommend to secure your rental housing as soon as you get your official orders to the area.
• Most rentals require 1 full months rent upfront as a security deposit as well as your first full month's rent.
• If you have pets, choose a property that the Landlord allows pets, and you can anticipate a pet deposit which is typically refundable in this area.
• Do your due diligence when selecting a home to rent, many times it is best to use a ​Realtor® and/or property management company that has great reviews to help you select the right home for you and your family.

BUYING

• If you will be in the area 2-3+ years, then buying is a great option to put your money towards something rather than to your landlord's mortgage payment.
• Using your VA benefits allows for a no money down mortgage.
• When it comes time to relocate out of the area, keeping your home as a rental property is ideal to build up equity.
• It is not uncommon for long-term investors to make 8-13%, sometimes more, off the sale of a property when held onto for more than 7 years.
• There are great tax benefits to owning a home and also when the home becomes a rental property.
• Using a ​Realtor® is ideal when relocating to the DMV. Choose one who knows the area and has great reviews!

BASE HOUSING - this may or may not be an option for you based on availability. It is best to call directly to base housing for more information and to get your name on a list after receiving your orders.

Whether you choose to rent or to buy, our team of experienced leasing and buyer real estate agents are here to guide you through the process. We can be your eyes, ears and nose on the ground to help you find a home prior to you arriving in the area. We provide private virtual tours and will be upfront and honest regarding how the property looks, smells and sounds so that you can get into a home that provides you with comfort and peace of mind. We will negotiate on your behalf to get the best price possible with the least amount of money out of pocket. We will maintain open communication from our first conversation until the day you get your keys! Give our office a call and talk to one of our team members, or simply fill out the form below to schedule an initial consultation.

Welcome to the DMV!