Summer moves and the housing ain't easy

Resources to help you find a new home

By Ranger Staff on April 27, 2017

Whether you're heading to Joint Base Lewis-McChord or you've already arrived and are still seeking a place to call home, time is of the essence and having the right resources can make all the difference - especially in a tight real estate market.

When looking at houses on base, it's important to note that JBLM has some great options. There are thousands of  homes on base - which doesn't count the dormitories and barracks where single airmen or soldiers reside - spread throughout 20 different neighborhoods. Lincoln Military Housing manages the homes and has a leasing center located conveniently inside the gates.

To learn more about what neighborhoods and housing you are eligible for based on rank, view floor plans, as well as to fill out an online application and subsequently monitor the current wait times, visit jblmc.com.

For more information about on base housing, call 253.912.2112.

If you'd prefer to search off base, the JBLM Housing Services Office (HSO) can assist with that as well. In addition to providing approved off-base rental and sale listings, the HSO can counsel servicemembers on their BAH and rental rights, provide computers for research, help to manage rentals and review leases prior to them being signed. The office staff can even mediate tenant/landlord disputes as needed.

Both Army and Air Force personnel are required to report to HSO upon arrival at the base and soldiers below the rank of O-5 must attend a mandatory housing brief as part of their in-processing. The office also offers home-buying and selling workshops. To reach the HSO, call 253.967.3581.

As with any large installation, there are also a number of private sellers and landlords who might have the perfect house for your family. Online resources like Military by Owner (militarybyowner.com/bases/wa/fort-lewis.aspx) have listings in almost every price range and, as the names imply, the individual posting the property will be a fellow servicemember, dependent or retiree. For housing rentals, Park 52 has a long list of available properties, and you can find them at park52.com.

Similarly, the DoD Housing Network (dodhousingnetwork.com/army/fort-lewis/off-base-housing.php) has extensive lists of homes for sale, rentals and rental agents all within commuting distance from JBLM.

Finally, if you are a USAA member, you can utilize the financial institution's Relocation Services, created for military members faced with moving to a new area. The financial institution has tools to search for homes, secure and research mortgage and the Movers Advantage® program, which pairs members with brokers and real estate agents who are specially trained to deal with military. The program, which is free to USAA members, also assigns a real estate coordinator to ensure that the process is seamless from start to finish and offers a cash bonus when a house is sold or bought through Movers Advantage®.