November 2026
The 2027 pay raise: Congress is still working on it
Congress is still working on the 2027 pay raise. BAH is not out yet, and December 11 is close. Plus the one question VA wants agents to ask.
Pay, Housing and December
Pay, BAH and December 11: where things stand
The 2027 pay raise: here are the updated numbers. The President’s plan stands. Starting January 1, 2027, basic pay goes up:
- 7 percent for E-1 to E-5
- 6 percent for E-6 to O-3
- 5 percent for O-4 and above
The highest officer ranks have a pay limit.
As of November 9, Congress is still working on the final number. The House passed its bill in July. It leaves the President’s plan in place. The Senate committee’s bill has 3.6 percent for everyone. The Senate has not passed its bill, and no final bill has passed.
Sources: The President’s alternative plan for pay adjustments (House Document 119-189), August 26, 2026. Congressional Research Service, FY2027 NDAA: Military Basic Pay Raise Proposal (IN12706). Congressional Research Service, FY2027 NDAA: Status of Legislative Activity (IN12704). Congress.gov, H.R. 8800, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027
The 2027 housing allowance (BAH). As of November 9, new rates are not out yet. Last year’s came out on December 11, 2025. Check BAH rates
Source: Department of War releases 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing rates, December 11, 2025
Government funding. Temporary funding runs through December 11, 2026, unless Congress passes full-year funding sooner.
Source: Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027 (Public Law 119-103), signed September 2, 2026
Flood insurance. The National Flood Insurance Program also runs through December 11. FEMA says Congress has to renew it “no later than 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 11, 2026.”
Source: FEMA, Congressional Reauthorization, updated September 28, 2026
Why it matters: for a tight budget, use today’s pay until Congress decides. Plan on today’s BAH until the new rates come out. And if a buyer is closing in a flood zone in December, get the flood policy in place well before December 11.
We will update all of this in December.
Check Your Own Numbers
Ask your AI. Copy the prompt below, paste it into ChatGPT, Gemini or Claude, and fill in the blanks.
Check the numbers on the official lookup before you plan around them.
Next step: if a buyer is working out what they can afford, meet our VA lenders. Or find a Mission Ready agent.
Military Housing and VA Loans
The one question VA wants agents to ask
VA’s Deputy Secretary, Paul R. Lawrence, spoke with the National Association of REALTORS® about the VA home loan.
His point: myths about VA loans still spread. “People hear things about VA home loans that simply are not true,” he said.
His ask for agents is one question. He said one of the most important questions a real estate professional can ask a client is simple: “Are you a Veteran?”
He was also clear on one thing. “Zero down payment doesn’t mean zero responsibility,” he said.
Why it matters: not every veteran knows what the benefit can do. The question takes five seconds. Ask it early.
A lower rate on VA’s Native American Direct Loan
VA lends some home loans itself. The Native American Direct Loan, or NADL, helps Native American veterans buy, build, fix up or refinance a home on tribal lands.
In VA’s words: “As of Oct. 1, 2026, VA lowered the NADL interest rate from 2.50% to 2.47%.” Veterans who close on or after October 1 “will automatically receive the 2.47% interest rate for the life of the loan.”
One requirement: the veteran or their spouse must be a member of a federally recognized tribe that has signed an agreement with VA.
Why it matters: if you work with a Native American veteran who wants to live on tribal lands, this one is worth a look. VA can tell them if it fits. See who qualifies
Source: VA News, Lower interest rates for Native American home loans, October 6, 2026
Next step: find a Mission Ready agent who knows the VA loan. Or meet our VA lenders.
Veterans Day
Veterans Day, November 11
At Arlington. The national observance starts at 9 AM Arizona / 11 AM Eastern in the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery. It is free and open to the public. It also streams online.
Near you. VA and the Veterans Day National Committee picked 48 regional sites in 24 states. Two of them are the Veterans Day Parade in Phoenix, Arizona, and the Georgia Veterans Day Association in Atlanta.
Discounts. VA keeps a list of Veterans Day offers. In VA’s words: “Offers are subject to change and may not be available in all states and locations. Verify with the organization offering.” See the list.
Sources: Arlington National Cemetery, 2026 National Veterans Day Observance Open to Public, October 8, 2026. VA News, Veterans Day National Committee selects Regional Sites for 2026, October 15, 2026. VA News, 2026 Veterans Day discounts, free meals and other retail offers, October 26, 2026
For veteran business owners: SBA comments close November 20
SBA’s proposed size standards change is open for comment until November 20, 2026. Size standards decide which businesses count as “small” for federal contracts. Real estate offices are on the list. Anyone can comment on regulations.gov, docket SBA-2026-0199.
Source: Federal Register, Small Business Size Standards, comment period extended, September 24, 2026
My Military HQ
What the community built this month
Families can now find a Mission Ready agent
At our October 13 Community Leader Briefing, we shared three things coming. Here is where they stand.
Families can search for an agent. Since November 1, families can search for a Mission Ready agent at mymilitaryhq.com.
Two updates inside HQ. The Network map now shows every agent in our program who has finished orientation and Military Service Literacy, our first certification. Members can search a place, see the military bases, and see where we have agents and where we do not.
The family search is now inside HQ too. Members can see what families see, without signing out. To show up in it, an agent adds the Discoverable upgrade to Mission Ready, or has an operator page.
Wreaths Across America. On December 19, KW Military joins National Wreaths Across America Day at Arlington National Cemetery. Sponsor a wreath by December 2. How to join us
Meet our October Ambassadors
In October, fifteen more agents were selected as founding Ambassadors. An Ambassador is the first hello for a new agent in their market. More about the role
Nicole Bryan · Founding Ambassador
Jacksonville, Florida
Military Spouse, U.S. Navy · Realtor · Military Relocation Professional · SRES
“When an agent joins our KW Military community, I want their first impression to be simple: I belong here, I have support, and I have people who want to see me succeed.”
Jorge Avila · Founding Ambassador
Rockwall, Texas
Military Family Member · Realtor · Founder, 2A Realty Group
“Connection and value are important, so that agents joining the community realize that there is value in being a part of the group.”
Mike Rogan · Founding Ambassador
Birmingham, Alabama
Military Veteran · Realtor · The Rogan Property Group
“In their first week, I want a new military-connected agent to feel two things: I’m not alone, and I have a plan.”
Mark Fields · Founding Ambassador
Marietta, Georgia
Military Family Member · Realtor · 28 years in real estate · Former appraiser
“During their first week, I want a new agent to feel welcomed, encouraged, and supported, not overwhelmed or isolated.”
John Rose · Founding Ambassador
Vancouver, Washington
U.S. Air Force Veteran · Realtor · Appraiser since 2003 · Broker since 2010
“We have the desire to take this group to the next level.”
Mike Gabriel · Founding Ambassador
Pennsylvania and New Jersey
U.S. Marine Corps Veteran · Realtor · Based in Horsham, PA · MRP
“I would like the new member to feel like there is structure here at KW Military. They should feel a sense of belonging.”
Jay Chacon · Founding Ambassador
Lake Elsinore, California
Military Veteran · Realtor · Keller Williams The Lakes
“I want them to feel like, ‘Okay, I found my people. I belong here.’”
Caroline Menold · Founding Ambassador
San Antonio, Texas
Military Spouse · Realtor · Background in education and travel
“In their first week, I want a new agent to feel welcomed, included, and excited to be part of KW Military.”
Shane Yeager · Founding Ambassador
Augusta, Georgia
Retired U.S. Army and National Guard · Over 20 years of service · Speaks Arabic
“We take care of our own!”
George Allred · Founding Ambassador
Cocoa Beach, Florida
Retired U.S. Coast Guard Officer · More than 21 years of service · Realtor
“There’s a network of military/service minded folks ready to assist.”
Laice-Marie Rollins · Founding Ambassador
Jupiter, Florida
Military Veteran · Realtor · Keller Williams Realty of Jupiter
“In their first week, I want new agents to feel supported, confident, and clear on expectations.”
Christy Roelke · Founding Ambassador
Northern Virginia
U.S. Army Veteran · Army Spouse · Realtor · Former Department of Defense civilian
“In their first week, I want a new military-connected agent in my market to feel seen, welcomed, and supported.”
Brandon Jackson · Founding Ambassador
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
U.S. Air Force Veteran · 20 years of service · Realtor
“I want new agents to feel they have a culture of community and resources that make this journey feel like they are not alone and they are supported.”
Clara Farish · Founding Ambassador
Charleston, South Carolina
Military Family Member · Realtor · In real estate since 2014 · MRP
“I want them to know where to find the right resources, who they can turn to with questions, and that they have a community of agents who understand the unique challenges and needs that come with military moves.”
AJ Kehl · Founding Ambassador
Arizona, Utah and Nevada
Retired U.S. Air Force Fire Chief · Chief Master Sergeant · Las Vegas, NV
“My goal isn’t simply to build a network of agents. It’s to build a community where we actively help one another succeed, share opportunities, and continue the culture of service that brought us together in the first place.”
Training does not stop at Mission Ready
Mission Ready is where an agent starts, not where training stops. Our agents get a live VA Lessons Learned session. A lender teaches one real VA problem, and our Community Leader hosts.
October’s topic: VA entitlement, and owning two homes with VA loans. Taught by Stacey Melton and Tom Mellett of Lending Heights. Hosted by Shandice Banks.
What agents left able to do:
- Know a veteran can use a VA loan more than once, even with the first one still open
- Start with the Certificate of Eligibility, not the credit report, to work out what entitlement is left
- Keep one number in mind: 25 percent. Most lenders want the entitlement left plus any down payment to cover a quarter of the loan
- Remember the home has to be the buyer’s main home
- Know the ways entitlement comes back, and that getting it back is never automatic
Two questions agents asked:
If a buyer takes over the loan and later sells, does the veteran get their entitlement back? Yes, once the home is sold and the loan is paid off. The veteran still has to ask VA to restore it.
What if the seller has a lot of equity? The gap between the loan and the price has to come from cash or a second loan. That can make taking over the loan hard.
(See “You can use a VA home loan more than once” in our October issue.)
Now twice a month. VA Lessons Learned now runs the first and third Wednesday, 11 AM Arizona / 10 AM PT / 12 PM CT / 1 PM ET. The first one, on November 4, covered four mistakes that cost buyers: waiting out rising rates, chasing the lowest rate, paying down the wrong accounts, and using buy now, pay later plans.
On November 18: seller concessions. What they can pay for, and how much a VA buyer can really get. Taught by Nick Sorin of The Task Force at Top Flite.
Community Spotlight
October’s Community Spotlight was a panel. Three operators shared how they built their pages: Jennifer Lundberg, an Army veteran in Clarksville, Tennessee; Dani Brinson, a Navy spouse in Hampton Roads, Virginia; and Ashley Schaus, an Army spouse in Pinehurst, North Carolina.
Spotlight is taking a break for the holidays. It comes back in the new year.
By The Numbers
Read off the platform on November 9. Nothing here is an estimate.
How often Google showed our pages, read November 9
| 28 days before | Last 28 days | |
|---|---|---|
| Times our pages showed up in Google | 2,194 | 12,261 |
| Times people clicked through | 107 | 157 |
Source: Google Search Console, read November 9.
The Certification Ladder
Four certifications, included with membership.
On November 9, 89 agents were Mission Ready. That means all four certifications, orientation included, and current membership in good standing.
It is a current standing rather than a permanent trophy. It reflects where an agent stands today, not only what they once finished.
What We Learned Building This
Since it went up in October, last month’s Intel showed up in Google 1,830 times and got 37 clicks. Only our home page got more clicks.
The searches we can see have a new question in them. Across our site, the top search about pay or BAH was “when will 2027 BAH rates be released.”
So this issue answers it: not yet. Last year’s came out on December 11.
Where We Are, and Where We Are Not
On November 9, verified agents covered 394 cities. They served 38 states, with a primary market in all 38.
Twelve states had no agent in our program:
Arkansas · Connecticut · Delaware · Idaho · Mississippi · Nebraska · New Hampshire · New Mexico · North Dakota · Rhode Island · Vermont · West Virginia
If your state is on that list and you serve military families there, email support@knowology.ai.
Nine of our agents also had a live operator page: Clarksville and Fort Campbell · Asheville and Hendersonville · Lakewood Ranch and MacDill · West Des Moines · Pinehurst and the Sandhills · Wichita Falls and Sheppard AFB · Yuma · Hampton Roads · Prince William County.
Coming Up
VA Lessons Learned, Wednesday, November 18. 11 AM Arizona / 10 AM PT / 12 PM CT / 1 PM ET. Seller concessions, taught by Nick Sorin of The Task Force at Top Flite. Then Wednesday, December 2, with Nick Sorin, and Wednesday, December 16, with Stacey Melton and Tom Mellett of Lending Heights.
Community Leader Briefing, Tuesday, December 8. 11 AM Arizona / 10 AM PT / 12 PM CT / 1 PM ET. Second Tuesday of every month.
Wreaths Across America. Sponsor a wreath by December 2. Arlington, December 19. How to join us
The Zoom links are inside My Military HQ.
A brief tells you what changed.An operator can tell you what it means for your address.
Every number above carries its source, and anything we could not source did not run.
Published November 2026 · Maintained by My Military HQ
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