Hi and one more thing - I also will mention that I myself am a resident of Ghent Square in Norfolk, and a native of West Ghent in Norfolk, so if you would like information specifically about anything in Ghent, please let me know and I will get it to you. wayne.goodman@longandfoster.com

Hi and welcome to the Norfolk area! In the current buyers' market expecially, $275,000 provides many options for you in the Greater Norfolk area - both here in the City, within a short drive of Naval Station Norfolk, or a little farther out such as in certain sections of Virginia Beach. I just this week am in the process of closing with a buyer on a fantastic house in a very desirable Virginia Beach neighborhood, located very close to Oceana Naval Air Station, for $251,500 - great home in exceptional, move-in condtion on a great lot in a great location. Being military, you also have various financing options which in several cases may not be available to the civilian population, including options which provide for little or no money down. I am a native of the Norfolk/Virginia Beach area and work throughout it extensively. You may contact me at wayne.goodman@longandfoster.com. I would be pleased to show you some property prospects that would be very suitable as well as help you with introduction to a loan officer/lender if you would like that as well.

Viacorson,

Military folks have lots of options for getting financing including many plans with low or no down payments. You say your credit is fair...it doesn't cost anything to sit down with me and meet with a loan officer to see what you can qualify for. We can even do the prequalification by phone. Interested? Good bargains are out there for buyers in this market. Don't let the below posts scare you. I work with buyers.

David Taylor
Rose and Womble Realty

A Realtor with Taylor-Made Solutions!

(757) 377-2133 direct

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Viacorson,

You might benefit from two articles I wrote on my blog; about purchasing real estate with unrelated partners:
http://viviannerutkowski.wordpress.com/2009/06/01/risks-and-…

and about various ways to take title to real property in Virginia:
http://viviannerutkowski.wordpress.com/2009/05/04/title-to-r…

NOTE: The above is NOT meant to be a legal advice. For a legal advice contact a trusted attorney.

I want you to think for a moment. What happens if either one of you ends up overseas. Maybe gets killed or badly injured. Your incomes could drop greatly. Besides that, what happens if you break up.

http://www.trulia.com/voices/How_To_/My_boyfriend_and_I_have… <-- a similar question was asked here.

When you are sure enough of your relationship to marry then I would say look at buying together. Until then it is possible to break up without any ramifications other than you now own a house together and it has to sell. I do not see it worth the risk at this time. Buy something you can afford on your own. Only buy something as a couple when you have decided to always be a couple.

The basic rule of thumb for purchase price is this: your income x3 is your safe house buying price. If you make $50k a year you can buy a $150k house. Naturally any moneys you ahve saved can be added to the price, less closing costs, inspections etc.