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Chicagoland Real Estate Guides for Veterans, Buyers, and Investors
Our team writes about VA loans, PCS moves, investing in Chicago multifamily, and buying or selling a home across Chicagoland. Search for a post, or scroll through the newest ones below.
Leaving the Military? A Housing Plan for Your First Year as a Civilian
Your housing allowance ends on your separation date, so your first civilian housing decision has to rest on income you can document. We explain how VA lenders treat retirement pay, disability compensation, and job offers, why renting first can make sense, and how to pick a Chicagoland town near VA care and veteran community. As Chicagoland's only Mil-Estate affiliated team, we help veterans plan a move into the area or out to wherever comes next.
The VA Loan Funding Fee Explained: What Veterans Pay and Who's Exempt
VA funding fee rates range from 1.25% to 3.3% on a purchase loan, depending on your down payment and whether you've used the benefit before. Veterans who receive VA disability compensation owe no fee whatever their rating, and surviving spouses who receive DIC are exempt too. We walk through real dollar examples, the refund rule for retroactive ratings, and the choice between paying the fee at closing or financing it.
How Does BAH Affect What Home You Can Afford?
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.
VA Loans and Service-Connected Disability: The Benefits Most Veterans Don't Know About
Service-connected disability compensation can affect both the VA funding fee and mortgage qualification. Learn how the funding fee exemption works, when a refund may apply, how lenders use tax-free disability income, and what to ask before buying in Chicagoland with Dorazio Real Estate.
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Each topic opens every post we've written on it. The second link in each card goes to the page about that service.
VA loans
These posts cover buying a home with your VA loan benefit. Read the VA loan posts, or see how our team helps VA buyers.
PCS moves
These posts help military families moving to or from Chicagoland on orders. Read the PCS posts, or see our relocation concierge.
Investing
These posts cover rental property and multifamily buildings in Chicago. Read the investing posts, or see how we help investors.
Buying and selling
These posts walk first-time buyers and sellers through the process. Read the first-time buyer posts and the home sale posts, or see our buyer's agent and listing agent pages.
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