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Homeownership is one of the key ways an individual can build personal wealth — and for veterans, there are additional resources such as VA loans to help them begin that path.
“The No. 1 wealth-building tool for folks in the middle class and beyond is owning a home,” said Patrick Murphy, co-host of Yahoo Finance’s Warrior Money podcast (see the full episode above or listen below).
“That is a benefit that I think we oftentimes sleep on how important that is,” explained co-host Dan Kunze, who acknowledged he’s used the VA home loan to purchase multiple properties over the years. “There’s also some stigma about it. [But] it’s there, it’s available, [and] it also really reduces that barrier to entry into your first home.”
Read more: Is now a good time to get a VA loan?
Josh Andrews, advice director for USAA and a certified financial planner, explained on the podcast some key advice someone in the military should consider when taking advantage of these resources.
For starters, he suggested active-duty members wait to start their venture into homeownership, since they’re unlikely to stay in one place long enough for their property to appreciate in value.
“As a military member, you never know where the military’s going to move you,” Andrews said. “And there’s no guarantee that you’re going to move back to that home even if you desire, because a lot of times we go where the job is. And so, wherever the job is, when you get out of the military, that’s where you’re going to settle down.”
Read more: Best VA loan lenders of August 2025
Military members should ensure that they’re planning financially for their eventual homeownership. Andrews advised military members to think about “how much home” they’re buying. Though VA loans allow veterans to buy without a down payment, that leads to higher monthly payments, which may cause further financial strain.
Murphy reminded listeners that choosing a location that’s likely to increase in value is a key consideration when purchasing property, as it helps to ensure you’ll eventually see a return on that investment.
“Whether I’m in active service or whether I’m a veteran, if you’re going to make this an investment, make sure it’s a property where the value’s going to increase. It’s not where there’s a glut of homes and I can’t sell them,” he cautioned. “It’s so important to do your homework.”
“Luck comes from planning, and at USAA, we believe a successful military-to-civilian transition comes from planning,” Andrews said. He added that “100% of people who join the military leave the military. So let’s plan for it, both from a career standpoint but also from a financial standpoint. A lot of times you can take financial actions ahead of time, and it’s really going to impact the career and the mental well-being side of it as well.”
Each week, Warrior Money will dive into the financial topics that matter most to veterans and the broader public. You can find more episodes on our video hub or watch on your preferred streaming service.
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