All Forum Posts by: Eric Tan

Regarding renting to the military, here in Beaufort we have 3 bases. The names of which are:

1. MCAS (Marine Corps Air Station)
2. Beaufort Naval Hospital
3. Parris Island (Marine Corps Training Depot)

To answer your question, yes, as a Property Manager I am interested in knowing what type of base a prospective tenant is stationed at.  Knowing that information leads me down the path of understanding who/what I'm dealing with. Meaning am I dealing with a Marine Corps Drill Instructor, a Marine Corps Dentist or a Marine Corps Pilot (those are just 3 examples.....they are many different job types). Because the dynamics of those three are entirely different.  IMO, more important than type of base is what is their rank and are they an officer.  The higher the rank the more money they receive in housing allowance. The higher the rank ---- especially if they're an officer ---- the more apt they are to take care of the property.  Going back to your question about type of base, etc., some thoughts on my experiences are:

• Naval Hospital -- I have had 100% positive experiences renting to people from the Naval Hospital. Probably the nature of the beast, so to speak, as I've had very similar experiences renting to non-military people associated with the local hospital.  Past experience leads me to believe if they work at a hospital chances are they'll turn out to be a good tenant. 
• MCAS -- they're a military pilot.....that's wonderful. They have the rank, money, and if they're married you can bet the house will be clean and taken care of. 
• Parris Island -- The life of a Drill Instructor is not easy. They put in a lot of long hour days on base (i.e., 15 hr day). Which means they're not home much. Which means your home, especially landscape maintenance, can lack the attention needed. 

Find areas where there are military bases located nearby. Those areas offer many advantages such as:

***You'll find a High Demand / Low Supply ratio = higher rents and less vacancy time

***Military families are usually looking for multi-year leases (usually 2-3 years)

***By renting to military families you'll hit the win/win/win lottery for Landlords. Which is:

1. The military provides a housing allowance.....therefore you know you're going to get paid

2. Because of the housing allowance they receive...you're going to get paid on time.

3. And in most all cases, they're going to take care of the property. They can get in a lot of hot water at the military base should they fail to do so. The ideal is to rent to an officer. Then you know 100% that they will take care of the property = Landlord Peace of Mind

***And if you have any problems related to items 1,2, and 3........you can contact their CO (commanding officer) and usually get the problem fixed quickly.