To Buy, or Not to Buy...

Daniel just found out that his orders to be stationed on a carrier will be delayed another month.  We were supposed to be leaving by the end of February, but it looks like we'll be here until the end of March, at least.  However, we still thought we'd have the orders so we'd know where we would be moving.  We put San Diego at the top of our list, so keep your fingers crossed for us!  Daniel wants to end up on the USS Ronald Reagan!

There are three other places in which we might be stationed: Norfolk, Seattle, and Japan.   There are six carriers in Norfolk so there's a high chance for us to end up there, considering the Navy has a total of 11 carriers.  I've heard great things about Virginia Beach and I have a few friends from college that live in that area.  Also, Christian Broadcast Network is based out of there and I would love to continue my career in journalism by getting on board with the station!

The most frustrating thing about the Navy taking its time in passing along orders is that we cannot begin our living arrangement search!!  President Obama passed legislation that extended the 1st-time home buyer credit to June and that just opened the door to us considering purchasing a home.  We will only be there 2 years (Just the on the cusp of time to justify buying a home) and you can't sell your property before 3 years of ownership or you have to pay back the credit.  Plus, the market and economy in California is especially shaky.  Daniel and I just keep confessing that we will get San Diego and are making plans accordingly.  I have already looked at 25 apartment listings online.  The cheapest I found on the military website (which helps landlords hook up with reliable military tenants and offers discounts) was $1300 for an outdated 2 bd 2 ba.  The CHEAPEST!  Granted, the Navy will up our monthly housing allowance just because the cost of living IS so much more in that area, but I still think that paying $1000 in rent in rural upstate New York is ridiculous.  But I have a skewed perception of what rent should cost.  I see my dad renting out his properties in Oklahoma for $600-$700 and most are 3+ bedrooms!

I just cringe thinking about how much money we would be throwing away in rent over the next two years if we don't buy!  I just need to get in touch with a Realtor when we have orders, educate myself, seek wise counsel and just trust what we are led to do.