The Jacksonville region has one of the highest concentrations of military installations in the country. The military contributes billions of dollars annually to the regional economy and supports tens of thousands of active-duty, reserve, civilian, and contractor jobs.
Largest Navy installation in the Southeast. Located on the west side of Jacksonville along the St. Johns River. Home to more than 100 tenant commands and one of the Navy’s primary aviation hubs.
Fourth Fleet homeport. One of the Navy’s largest fleet concentration areas. Home to destroyers, littoral combat ships, Coast Guard units, and amphibious vessels.
East Coast homeport for the U.S. Navy’s Ohio-class ballistic missile and guided missile submarines. Located in Kings Bay, Georgia, about 35–45 minutes north of Jacksonville.
Florida National Guard’s premier training installation. Hosts Army National Guard, Air National Guard, Active Duty, Reserve, and law enforcement training throughout the year.
Oversees Coast Guard operations throughout Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia. Responsible for search and rescue, maritime safety, waterways management, and homeland security.
Located at Jacksonville International Airport. The 125th Fighter Wing operates F-15 Eagle fighter aircraft and provides homeland air defense for the southeastern United States
- Virtual showings
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- School information
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Northeast Florida provides a robust network of veteran services, health facilities, and transitional resources tailored to military families, retirees, and transitioning service members.
Relocating to Northeast Florida is about more than finding the right home. From nearby military installations to local communities, commute considerations, parks, beaches, and city resources, The Decker Group helps military families and relocating buyers get familiar with the area before making their next move.
Get helpful local insight for military families relocating near Jacksonville and the surrounding Northeast Florida area, including nearby military installations, commute considerations, housing options, and community fit.
Explore local guidance for communities, beaches, parks, schools, city resources, things to do, and lifestyle factors that matter when choosing where to live in Northeast Florida.
Military moves come with tight timelines, major decisions, and a lot of moving pieces. As a USMC disabled veteran, Garrett Decker brings firsthand understanding of military life, relocation needs, and the importance of having local guidance you can trust before, during, and after your move.
Whether you are relocating to Northeast Florida or preparing to sell before your next assignment, Garrett and Angel can help you compare communities, understand commute times, evaluate housing options, and make confident decisions based on your orders, timeline, and family needs.
Get help comparing neighborhoods, commute routes, schools, amenities, and communities near Jacksonville, Palm Coast, and the greater Northeast Florida area.
PCS orders often move quickly. We help military families stay organized with a clear plan for buying, selling, or coordinating both at the same time.
From VA loan questions to lender connections and home search strategy, we can help you understand the process and connect with experienced professionals when needed.
Yes. Your VA home loan benefit is reusable. If you’ve paid off a previous VA loan and sold the home, you can generally restore your full entitlement and use the benefit again. In some cases, you may even be able to have more than one VA loan at the same time if you have enough remaining entitlement.
Yes. Eligible Veterans, Active Duty service members, and certain surviving spouses can purchase a home with no down payment using a VA loan, provided the purchase price is within the lender’s guidelines and you qualify based on income, credit, and debt-to-income ratio.
Yes. A VA loan can be used to purchase a property with up to four residential units, as long as you occupy one of the units as your primary residence. This can be an excellent way to build long-term wealth while generating rental income.
Yes. The VA requires you to intend to occupy the home as your primary residence when you purchase it. If your circumstances change—such as receiving PCS orders, retiring, or relocating—you can typically convert the property into a rental while keeping your VA loan.
Yes, in some situations. If you have remaining VA entitlement and meet your lender’s qualifications, you may be able to purchase another primary residence using a second VA loan. This is common for military families relocating due to Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders.
Entitlement is the amount of your VA home loan benefit that the Department of Veterans Affairs guarantees to your lender. Think of it as the VA’s promise to help protect the lender if a borrower defaults. Your available entitlement determines how much of your benefit you have remaining and whether you may be eligible for another VA loan.
Many Veterans with a service-connected disability are exempt from paying the VA funding fee. You may also qualify for an exemption if you’re receiving VA disability compensation or meet certain eligibility requirements. This exemption can save thousands of dollars in closing costs.
Yes. Certain eligible surviving spouses may qualify for a VA-backed home loan benefit. Eligibility generally depends on the service member’s circumstances, such as dying in the line of duty or from a service-connected disability, and other VA requirements.
Yes. Members of the Selected Reserve may qualify for a VA home loan after meeting the VA’s minimum service requirements. Eligibility depends on factors such as years of service, activation history, and discharge status.
Yes. National Guard members can qualify for VA home loan benefits. Eligibility may be based on qualifying active-duty service or sufficient years of honorable Guard service, depending on the individual’s military history.
No. The VA does not set a minimum credit score requirement. However, individual lenders establish their own credit guidelines. VA loans are often more flexible than many conventional loan programs, making them an excellent option for qualified borrowers.
No. One of the biggest advantages of a VA loan is that it does not require private mortgage insurance, even with no down payment. This can significantly reduce your monthly housing payment compared to many conventional loans.
Yes, provided the condominium is approved by the VA or meets current VA eligibility requirements. Not every condo community qualifies, so it’s important to verify approval before making an offer.
Yes. VA loans can be used for newly constructed homes, although not every builder or lender participates in VA construction financing. If you’re interested in building a home, we can discuss the options available in your area.
If you have full VA entitlement, the VA no longer sets loan limits for most borrowers. The amount you can borrow is determined primarily by your lender based on your income, credit profile, assets, and ability to repay the loan.
Possibly. If you have remaining entitlement and meet lender qualifications, you may be able to purchase another primary residence without selling your current home. This is especially common for military families relocating to a new duty station.
Most VA loans close in approximately 30 to 45 days, depending on the property, appraisal timeline, title work, and underwriting process. Proper preparation and prompt communication can help keep your transaction on schedule.
As a Marine Corps Veteran, REALTOR®, and Mortgage Loan Originator, I understand both the military lifestyle and the home financing process. Instead of coordinating with multiple professionals, you’ll have a single point of contact who can help guide you through home buying, financing, PCS relocations, and maximizing your VA home loan benefits from start to finish. This creates trust immediately.
Schedule your personalized home buying consultation today and take the first step toward finding your dream home.
