VA Benefit Resource · 2026
A Practical Housing and VA Loan Handbook for Airmen
Base housing overviews, official 2026 BAH rates, calculators, and VA loan guides for Air Force families weighing their options. Content reviewed by Marc Arrington, a retired Marine.
What your BAH covers
Official 2026 rates. Pick your grade and see the home price your housing allowance supports.
Your 2026 BAH at McConnell AFB (Wichita)
$1,377/mo
up $69 from 2025
Estimated purchase power
~$175,000
with $0 down, 30-yr fixed, after $172/mo property tax at the 1.188% Sedgwick 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 1.188% of the price, the effective rate in Sedgwick County, KS (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
On-base housing versus owning
Privatized base housing is simple, but you finish a tour with no equity to show for it. A VA loan lets your housing budget build ownership instead, with no down payment to get started. Marc helps you compare the two over the length of your assignment.
No. 02
Putting BAH to work
Your Basic Allowance for Housing is designed to cover housing costs, and a VA mortgage payment qualifies. Since the VA loan asks for no down payment, many Airmen can buy without draining savings. Marc shows how your BAH stacks up against a real monthly payment.
No. 03
Eligibility and your COE
The Certificate of Eligibility tells a lender you have earned the benefit and how much entitlement you hold. Active-duty Airmen can request it through their command or online, and Marc can help. Having it in hand keeps your purchase on track.
Common questions
Straight answers on the VA benefit. Still have a question? Call Marc directly.
- Q.Is it worth buying if I only have a short tour here?
- Sometimes yes, sometimes no, and it depends on the market and your plans. Marc will run the actual numbers so you decide with facts rather than guesswork.
- Q.Can I rent the house out after I PCS?
- Usually yes, once you have occupied it as your primary residence. Plenty of Airmen keep a VA-financed home and rent it after moving. Marc can explain how it affects your entitlement.
- Q.Do I need money saved for a down payment?
- No. The VA loan requires zero down, though closing costs still apply. Marc will lay out the full cash needed to close before you make an offer.
- 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
Every set of orders puts Airmen back in the same debate, take the base house or buy off base, and the answer shifts with the local market. Marc Arrington helps active-duty Airmen and Air Force veterans weigh that choice and use the VA loan when buying makes sense. He gives you the real numbers, not a pitch.
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
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