Military homeownership surges in four US cities: report

Homeownership among military households is increasing in four cities, according to a report by Realtor.com®. These cities are characterized by affordable home prices, strong communities, and respect for the military.

Realtor.com® economist Jiayi Xu stated, "Specifically, among the top 100 metros, Myrtle Beach, SC, saw the highest homeownership among military households, followed by Des Moines, IA, Deltona, FL, and Palm Bay, FL."

VA loans play a significant role in this trend. Jill Vodicka from Re/Max Connections noted that buyers rarely avoid using VA loans unless they have other properties affecting their eligibility. She said, “I have only had two buyers ever that were VA-eligible that did not use their VA home loan.”

In Myrtle Beach, SC, 92.9% of military households own homes. The city offers an appealing environment with affordable housing and events honoring its military history. Kimberly Miles from Visit Myrtle Beach highlighted resources available for veterans.

Des Moines has an 88.8% homeownership rate among military families due to its community support and job opportunities for veterans. Organizations like Home Base Iowa assist transitioning service members.

Deltona's location provides protection from severe weather while offering community support through organizations like Veterans Florida. Ron Myers of Ron Buys Florida Homes mentioned the strong sense of community as a draw for veterans.

Palm Bay offers affordable living with resources such as the Palm Bay VA Clinic and various benefits for veterans. Myers pointed out the lower cost of living compared to larger cities.

Conversely, Urban Honolulu, HI; San Diego; and El Paso, TX have the lowest military homeownership rates. Ryan Dossey from SoldFast explained that high real estate prices in San Diego are a barrier for military families.

The Realtor.com Mission Zero campaign aims to provide information on veteran homebuying benefits in partnership with Veterans United.