Each month, the government issues a stipend to active duty military personnel stationed in the United States to alleviate the cost of housing. This stipend is known as Basic Allowance for Housing, or BAH, and is dictated by a service member's rank, geography, and number of dependents.

How Does the Government Determine BAH?

The greatest determinate of Basic Allowance for Housing is location. The government carefully reviews data sources and rental listings, and even interviews real estate agents to calculate the proper Basic Allowance of Housing for service members. The government's releases BAH rates once a year, usually in January, and even if a service member who is currently receiving BAH notices that their rank's BAH has decreased, their current…

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When it comes to selling a home, it is essential to do everything possible to make it stand out as much as possible. After all, the more your Hudson Valley home reaches out and grabs a potential buyer, the more likely he or she is to make an offer on the property. While making necessary repairs is certainly one aspect of giving a home the best chance of getting sold, prepping a home for sale requires more than just replacing broken appliances and painting dull, worn out walls. Rather, it requires giving the home a warm and inviting feel with the help of a few home staging ideas.

There are several steps you can take stage your home for sale, ranging from simply cleaning up clutter to adding the finishing touches that really make a house feel like a home.…

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For those who missed out on the Home Buyer Tax Credit, there is good news: the credit has once again received an extension. Enacted on July 2, the U.S. Home buyer Assistance and Improvement Act of 2010, which was largely backed by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, extends the closing deadline from June 30 to September 30 for buyers who had entered into a binding contract by the original April 30 deadline. Therefore, while it is still too late for those who didn’t get the ball rolling before the April deadline, those who had trouble with closing on the deal in time can still take advantage of the $8,000 maximum credit for first time buyers as well as the $6,500 credit for longtime homeowners who decided to purchase a new home.

In order to qualify for the…

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The French Huguenots planted the first grape vines on the hillsides of the Hudson Highlands in 1677, and started the tradition of growing grapes and winemaking that continues today. Over 330 years later, the vintners and wineries of the Hudson Valley have taken measures to present this historic wine regions historic contributions to the growing and cultivating of fine grapes and the ancient art of winemaking, and to introduce the natural beauty, the outdoor recreation opportunities, historic sites, and all of the culinary treasures that goes along with everything that makes Hudson Valley real estate great.  Its communities, farms, lodging, restaurants and other contributions it makes to our lifestyle. The Hudson Valley Wine region, and the hudson valley…

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There is a backlog of hundreds of thousands of mortgage modifications and thousands more get submitted each day. Along with those applications, for thousands of honest and hard-working Americans go the best hopes of keeping their homes. So, getting the applications done right is a very important matter. Still, many...maybe even most of applicants who review their application with me before they submit it make mistakes in that section of the application. They get their own income wrong!

1. Include the correct income. Include the income from the folks signed on the loan. All other household income need only be included if you choose. Even if your spouse or partner or parents or kids contribute to the household income...just include their income if you need it…

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What is a VA Loan?

The VA Home Loan Guaranty Program, better known as a VA Loan, is offered through lenders and backed by the Department of Veteran Affairs. Most veterans and active military men and women can get one, and the loan can be used to purchase, build or improve a home.

Some of the most recognized benefits of the loan include no down payment, no private mortgage insurance and easier qualification standards.

Who is Eligible?


You are eligible if you have served:


  • For at least 181 days during peacetime (active duty)
  • For at least 90 days during war time (active duty)
  • In the National Guard or Reserves for at least 6 years
  • You are also eligible if your spouse died while serving in the line of duty


There are other…

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