Military Relocation to Tampa Bay and Florida: Your VA Home Buying Guide
By Josh Richardson (NMLS 2448184) and Anna Richardson (NMLS 2045806) | Updated November 2026
If you’re PCSing to MacDill Air Force Base or retiring to Florida, you can usually buy a home before you arrive. A VA loan lets eligible service members and veterans buy with no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance, and your PCS orders can support the timing.
I’m Josh Richardson, a Tampa Bay mortgage broker (NMLS #2448184) and CFP®. VA loans are our biggest line of business, and we compare VA options across more than 140 lenders through GoRascal (NMLS #2072896).
Buying before you report
- Get pre-approved early. Send your orders, LES and Certificate of Eligibility. We can do everything by phone or Zoom.
- Occupancy timing. VA generally expects you to move in within a reasonable time, often about 60 days. PCS orders can justify a later date, and a spouse living in the home usually counts.
- Allowances count. BAH and other documented military allowances can generally be counted as income.
- Remote closings. Many closings can be handled with a power of attorney or mobile notary if you can’t be here. Ask early, since lenders have specific POA rules.
Florida costs to plan for
- Insurance. Homeowners and flood insurance can change your payment a lot. Get quotes and check the flood zone before you make an offer.
- Property tax breaks. Florida’s homestead exemption, plus extra exemptions for disabled veterans and deployed servicemembers. File with your county property appraiser by March 1.
- No state income tax. Florida doesn’t tax personal income, which matters for military retirees.
Where military families buy around MacDill
MacDill sits at the south end of the Interbay peninsula in Tampa. Buyers often look in South Tampa, Brandon, Riverview and across the bay in Pinellas County, including St. Petersburg, Largo and Clearwater. Commute, flood zone and insurance cost vary a lot by neighborhood, so we run the full payment for each area you’re considering.
Related guides
See VA loans in Tampa Bay, VA loan FAQ, VA loan denied? Get a second opinion and relocating to Tampa Bay or Florida guide.
Call (727) 888-6650 or email josh@yourhomeloanteam.com. We can start your pre-approval from anywhere, by phone or Zoom.
Military relocation FAQ
Can I buy a home in Tampa Bay before I arrive on PCS orders?
Often, yes. With a VA loan you can usually get pre-approved and close before you report, using your PCS orders. You’re generally expected to move in within a reasonable time, often about 60 days, and your orders can support a later move-in date.
Does my spouse living in the home count as occupancy?
For VA loans, a spouse occupying the home can generally satisfy the occupancy requirement while you’re deployed or stationed elsewhere. Your lender will ask for a signed statement.
Can my BAH count as income?
Lenders can generally count Basic Allowance for Housing and other military allowances as income when they’re documented on your Leave and Earnings Statement.
Do Florida veterans get property tax breaks?
Yes. Florida offers a $5,000 exemption for veterans with a service-connected disability of 10% or more, a full exemption for veterans with a total and permanent service-connected disability, and an extra exemption for servicemembers deployed overseas in qualifying operations. You apply with your county property appraiser by March 1.
Is Florida Hometown Heroes available to military buyers?
Active-duty servicemembers, reservists, Coast Guard and Florida National Guard members are listed as eligible. Veterans qualify when they work full time for a Florida-based employer. It’s for first-time, income-qualified buyers, and funding comes in rounds.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense.
General information only, not tax or legal advice. Program rules and exemptions change; confirm details with your county property appraiser and a tax professional. Not all applicants will qualify. Your Home Loan Team, powered by GoRascal, NMLS #2072896. Josh Richardson, NMLS #2448184. Equal Housing Opportunity.
