As thermometers melt in some portions of the U.S., now is perhaps not the most popular time to start thinking about frozen pipes, mountains of snow and other signs that winter’s coming to do a number on your house.
But for service members facing a late-summer or fall change of station, or for others who may relocate later in the year, it might not be too early to consider winterizing ― maybe not shutting off your outside water, or anything, but planning for how to ensure your home is taken care of if nobody’s in it when the temperature starts to drop.
There is some midsummer news for VA loan holders in such a situation: While past VA rules have allowed loan servicers to claim winterization costs in some states in some parts of the year, a change allows those claims to be filed year-round anywhere outside of Hawaii, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
RELATED
Save energy, save the planet ... and get cash for home repairs.
VA’s guidance on property maintenance (PDF) offers some good advice for all homeowners, not just VA loan servicers, on how to prep your property for the cold weather, especially if you won’t be around to check for frozen pipes or use any of the water in the water heater. Popular Mechanics has a few suggestions, too, and the folks at MilitaryVALoan.com point out a key tip for home-sellers: If you’ve stopped utilities as part of a winterization, you’ll need to arrange for them to be turned back on prior to any appraisals, or risk having to reschedule.
Learn more about the VA Loan process at our VA Loan Center.
Kevin Lilley is the features editor of Military Times.
Be careful -- Interest rates on VA home loans may be ticking higher amid economic turmoil.
Maximizing the options available to you is essential to making the most out of your military career.
New rules make it easier to use VA home loans, but there are some increased fees.
Navy veteran Zack Baddorf and Marine Corps veteran Russell Midori have launched Military Veterans in Journalism, a professional association designed to help veterans transition into media careers that will provide veterans with a journalism workshop next year.
The move comes after a months-long review of VA loan practices that found tens of thousands of errors.
Polaris is preparing its Arctic kit for the MRZR Alpha as part of a deal with U.S. Special Operations Command to supply lightweight tactical all-terrain vehicles.
“Ukraine can win this war,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said.
Defense and veterans hearings on Capitol Hill for the week of May 16, 2022.
Finland’s president and government have announced that the Nordic country intends to apply for membership in NATO.
Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki has urged Japan’s central government to do more to reduce the U.S. military presence in the southern island group.
Th enlisted leader of Information Warfare Training Command Monterey is facing court-martial.
A decision to cancel the technically challenged ASW mission package raised the per-unit cost overall for the mission modules program, resulting in a Nunn-McCurdy breach the Navy reported to Congress May 13.
The Navy says forcing surface ships or attack submarines to haul around nuclear-tipped missiles would be feasible, but would be a burden in a time with many more pressing missions and no extra money to spare on lesser priorities.
This is the first conversation between the two defense chiefs since Feb. 18, a week before the war started.
Russia lost significant numbers of troops and important equipment when Ukrainian forces thwarted their attempt to cross a river in the east, British officials said.
Load More