VA Benefit Resource · 2026
A Home Buying Guide Written for Navy SEALs
Current 2026 BAH rates, payment calculators, and plain answers on using VA entitlement in duty areas like Coronado and Little Creek.
What your BAH covers
Official 2026 rates. Pick your grade and see the home price your housing allowance supports.
Your 2026 BAH at Fort Bragg
$1,806/mo
up $21 from 2025
Estimated purchase power
~$240,000
with $0 down, 30-yr fixed, after $176/mo property tax at the 0.878% Cumberland County rate, and ~$110/mo insurance
See what you qualify for2026 BAH rates published by the Defense Travel Management Office, effective January 1, 2026. O-8 and above shown at the O-7 rate. Estimate only. Not a loan offer, rate quote, or commitment to lend. Property tax is charged at 0.878% of the price, the effective rate in Cumberland County, NC (median taxes actually paid, Census ACS 2024 1-year, against the typical local home value), rather than a flat percentage of your allowance. Homeowners insurance is an assumption at $110 a month and varies widely, especially near the coast, and flood insurance is separate again. Your qualifying amount depends on credit, income, debts, and market conditions. Excludes any VA funding fee.
Loan programs
Other ways Marc can structure a purchase
Programs offered through RWM Home Loans. Terms and eligibility are shown in each one. Ask Marc which fits your situation.
No. 01
First Home, $0 Down
The VA loan lets a first-time buyer purchase with no down payment, which is the single biggest barrier most people face. There is also no monthly PMI, so the payment stays lower than a comparable conventional loan. For a SEAL who has been deploying instead of saving for a 20 percent down payment, that changes what is possible.
No. 02
Strong Markets, Smart Timing
NSW hubs like San Diego and Hampton Roads are expensive to rent in, which is exactly why owning can pay off. Buying when your orders allow, rather than when the market is convenient, is usually the right call for a long-term benefit like this. Marc helps you weigh timing against your rotation.
No. 03
The Funding Fee and Your Rating
Most buyers pay a one-time funding fee that can be financed into the loan. If you have a VA disability rating, the fee is waived, and many operators qualify for a rating without having filed. Marc will confirm your status before assuming you owe the fee.
Common questions
Straight answers on the VA benefit. Still have a question? Call Marc directly.
- Q.Coronado and Virginia Beach are expensive. Can a VA loan still work?
- Yes. With full entitlement there is no VA loan limit on $0-down financing, so high-cost markets are very much in play. Marc works these markets regularly.
- Q.Do I need cash reserves to qualify?
- Often less than you expect. The VA loan is built to minimize cash needed at closing. Marc tells you the real number for your situation up front.
- Q.Can my spouse handle the closing if I am away?
- Yes, with a power of attorney in place. Set it up early with Marc and a deployment does not have to derail your purchase.
- Q.How much down payment do I need for a VA loan?
- Most eligible buyers put $0 down. The VA loan is one of the only programs that finances 100% of a primary residence for qualified veterans and service members.
What clients say
“Marc was very understanding of our situation, needs, and wants. He made the process very streamlined and comprehensible to a first-time homeowner!”
“Marc and his team had a high level of responsibility and coordination during my loan, and their guidance was so clear it made the process simple. Thank you, Marc, for an extraordinary job.”
“From the beginning, Marc and his team gave me transparent and professional feedback on the entire process. My wife and I knew we were in great hands to secure the best home loan available. Marc is the best!”
Why work with Marc Arrington
From BUD/S through a full career in the teams, SEALs rarely sit still long enough to plant roots. Marc Arrington works with SEALs and their families who are ready to own instead of rent, often around Coronado or Little Creek where prices punish renters. He handles the VA loan end to end so the operator can focus on everything else demanding their attention.
Marc Arrington
MSgt. USMC Ret. · NMLS# 2114896
Originally from Pascagoula, Mississippi, I was raised with strong values rooted in family, service, and respect for our nation. In 2004, I followed a lifelong passion by joining the United States Marine Corps, where I served as a Marine Special Operations Element leader with deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, Thailand, and Korea. My military experience instilled in me the importance of trust, discipline, and making every moment count. While serving, I continued pursuing my education, earning an undergraduate degree from the University of Mississippi and a master's degree through the Joint Special Operations Master of Arts program.
Official sources
Talk to Marc when you are ready
No pressure and no obligation. Call, text, book a time, or send a note and Marc will reach out.
Marc Arrington
MSgt. USMC Ret. | Branch Manager
RWM Home Loans · NMLS# 2114896
Have Marc reach out