BAH gives military buyers real purchasing power, but online calculators miss the details that turn that allowance into an accurate home price. VA underwriting rules, funding fee exemptions, and Chicagoland property tax differences all change how far your housing allowance goes. We explain how lenders count BAH and what to check before you start touring homes.

Learn how Cook County calculates your EAV using the 10% assessment and state multiplier, plus what the $250k veteran exemption limit means for multi-unit properties.