October 2026
The 2027 pay raise is set, and December 11 matters
The 2027 military pay raise is set. BAH is not out yet, and two deadlines land December 11. Plus low VA appraisals and using a VA loan twice.
The 2027 military pay raise is set. BAH is not out yet, and two deadlines land December 11. Plus low VA appraisals and using a VA loan twice.
Pay, Housing and December
What is set, and what December decides
The 2027 military pay raise is set. Three other things that touch a military family’s budget are still open going into December.
An update to last month. In September we said the 2027 raise was not settled. That was already out of date: on August 26, the President set it.
The 2027 pay raise. 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
Pay caps in the law still apply.
Source: The President’s alternative plan for pay adjustments (House Document 119-189), August 26, 2026
The 2027 housing allowance (BAH). New rates are not out yet. Last year’s came out on December 11, 2025.
Source: Department of War releases 2026 Basic Allowance for Housing rates, December 11, 2025
Government funding. A short-term funding law keeps the government open through December 11, 2026. Congress has to act again by then.
Source: Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027 (Public Law 119-103), signed September 2, 2026
Flood insurance. The National Flood Insurance Program runs through December 11, 2026. If Congress lets it lapse, FEMA says it “would stop selling and renewing policies.”
Source: FEMA, Congressional Reauthorization, updated September 28, 2026
Why it matters: the raise starts January 1. For a home budget, watch BAH too: the 2027 rates are not out yet. Plan on today’s BAH until they are. 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 the other three in November and December.
Military Housing and VA Loans
When a VA appraisal may come in low: the Tidewater notice
If a VA appraiser thinks the value may come in below the price, they must say so before they finish the report.
Then, in VA’s words, the appraiser “will allow 2-business days” for the lender, or anyone in the sale the lender reaches out to, to send more home sales. VA calls this the Tidewater Procedure. It started as a test in the Tidewater area of Virginia.
What helps in those two business days:
- Homes that have sold and closed, not homes still for sale
- Homes close by, and close in size, age and condition
- The address, price, sale date and size of each one
- A short note on why each one is a fair match
The appraiser still decides the value. The notice asks for facts. It is not a negotiation.
If the value still comes in low, the veteran can ask VA in writing to take another look. This is called a reconsideration of value. VA says its staff will review it within 5 business days.
Why it matters: the two business days start when the notice arrives. An agent who moves that same day gives the buyer the best shot.
You can use a VA home loan more than once
Many veterans think the VA home loan is a one-time benefit. It is not. In VA’s words, “The VA home loan is a lifetime benefit.”
Entitlement is the part of the loan VA backs. In many cases, a veteran can keep their current home and use the entitlement they have left to buy the next one. That works even with another VA loan still open.
What is left is not the same as the price of the house. Here is VA’s own example:
- John’s county loan limit is $832,750. A quarter of that is $208,187.50.
- He already used $75,000. That leaves $133,187.50.
- Times 4, that is $532,750. That is the biggest loan he can get with no down payment.
- So he can buy a $500,000 home with no money down, if the home appraises and he qualifies.
One rule does not change. The new home has to be one they plan to live in. In VA’s words, “You can’t use a VA loan to buy a vacation home or an investment property.”
Why it matters: a PCS move does not always mean selling. A family that wants to keep their current home may still buy the next one with a VA loan. Their lender can run their numbers.
Source: VA News, Veterans can use their VA-guaranteed home loan benefit more than once, September 15, 2026
VA does not mail loan offers
VA warns that some lender ads are made to look like they came from VA. Some use the VA seal. Some warn of “fines or imprisonment” to rush people.
In VA’s words: “VA will never email or mail out solicitations or offers to Veterans seeking to refinance your mortgage or obtain a VA-guaranteed home loan.” VA does not endorse any lender.
VA’s advice: compare offers from more than one lender, and take your time. Questions about the benefit go to VA at (877) 827-3702.
Source: VA News, Don’t let misleading advertising upend your homebuying experience, September 8, 2026
Benefits and the VA
Records lost in the 1973 fire: claims just got easier
In July 1973, a fire at the National Personnel Records Center destroyed an estimated 16 to 18 million military records. It hit hardest:
- Army veterans discharged from 1912 to 1960
- Air Force veterans discharged from 1947 to 1964, with last names Hubbard through Z
VA has changed how it handles their claims. Veterans now get one packet at the start, with both forms, and should not be asked for the same thing twice. VA can also accept believable statements from the veteran, from people who served with them, or from others who know what happened.
If your records may have burned, VA says not to wait, even if you were turned down before. File or reopen a claim at va.gov, or call VA at 1-800-827-1000.
Why it matters: these are older veterans. If you work with their family, this is worth passing on.
Source: VA News, Claims process streamlined for Veterans affected by 1973 NPRC records fire, August 24, 2026
Finding community after a move
VA has announced its 2027 awards under the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program. The grants pay local groups to offer peer support, case management and family or community programs. Since 2022, the program has put more than $322 million into this work. The new awards fund a year of services starting September 30, 2026.
One story in VA’s announcement is about a veteran who moved to a new state and felt cut off. Meeting other veterans helped.
Moving is part of military life. Help after a move is local. VA lists every group that got a grant this year: SSG Fox grant groups.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988, then press 1. Or text 838255.
Source: VA News, VA awards suicide prevention grants to strengthen community support for Veterans, September 30, 2026. Veterans Crisis Line
For veteran business owners: SBA wants comments by November 20
The U.S. Small Business Administration has proposed new size standards for 338 industries. Size standards decide which businesses count as “small” for federal contracts and SBA programs. Real estate offices are on the list.
SBA has extended the comment period to November 20, 2026. Anyone can comment on regulations.gov, docket SBA-2026-0199.
The D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University filed a comment against the change. In their words, it would make new firms compete with “firms with significantly greater revenue, resources, contracting experience, and access to capital.”
Sources: Federal Register, Small Business Size Standards, August 20, 2026. Comment period extended, September 24, 2026. IVMF public comment, September 17, 2026
This Month in Military Life
25 years later, in their own words
On September 11, Keller Williams shared stories from KW Military agents to mark 25 years since 9/11. Three of them:
“I remember the fear. But I remember just as strongly the strength of a community that showed up for one another.”
“Just as we did in the military, the civilians seemed to actually care for one another like I’ve never seen.”
“What I remember and what I hope we never forget is not only the tragedy and the lives that were lost, but the unity that followed.”
Shared by Keller Williams Realty on Facebook, September 11, 2026.
For a longer look back, the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families published Twenty-Five Years After 9/11: A Look Back on September 4.
The Navy turns 251 on October 13
On October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress set up a committee to fit out two sailing ships for battle. The Navy marks that day as its birthday.
My Military HQ
What the community built this month
Meet our founding Ambassadors
In September, eight agents became our first Ambassadors. An Ambassador is the first hello for a new agent in their market. They point new members into HQ, connect them with people and opportunities, and check in when someone goes quiet. More about the role
Mark Haygood · Chief Ambassador
Northeast Alabama
U.S. Army Veteran · Realtor · Licensed in Alabama and Georgia
“We are disciplined, communicative and love our fellow brothers and sisters in arms.”
Adam Reed · Founding Ambassador
Western North Carolina
U.S. Navy Veteran · Navy Reserve LCDR · Asheville native · 11 years in real estate
“I want to be the connector who introduces agents to the right local opportunities, keeps them engaged, and ensures our community moves forward together.”
Tara Mahrer · Founding Ambassador
Moore County, North Carolina
Military Spouse · Broker, MRP · Your Home Caddie · 15 years in operations
“I want a new military connected agent in our market to feel like they belong in the first week.”
Chris Shinham · Founding Ambassador
Tampa, Florida
U.S. Navy Veteran · Realtor · Former banker and business owner
“I want them to understand that there is a community to support them and help them grow.”
Eeman Heisler · Founding Ambassador
Marietta, GA
Military Spouse, U.S. Navy · Realtor · Tyndall AFB · Real estate since 2019
“I want to be their battle buddy and let them know I have not forgotten about them.”
Tim Lockhart · Founding Ambassador
Wichita Falls, Texas
U.S. Air Force Veteran · Realtor · Retired Civil Engineer officer · Sheppard AFB
“New military-connected agents should feel a belonging and acceptance with other agents and the sense of community we experienced in the service.”
Matthew St John · Founding Ambassador
Wasilla, Alaska
Retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant · Owner, Street John Realty · MRP
“Servant heart. Been at this a minute.”
Judy Nichols · Founding Ambassador
Rome, Georgia
Military Family Member · Realtor · Founder, Nichols Realty Group
“I want anyone who comes to feel like they can have someone to lead and guide them till they feel confident with where they are going and how to do it.”
Training does not stop at Mission Ready
Mission Ready is where an agent starts, not where training stops. Every month, our agents get a live VA Lessons Learned session. A lender teaches one real VA problem, and our Community Leader hosts.
September’s topic: Tidewater, the low appraisal warning above. Taught by Nick Sorin of The Task Force at Top Flite. Hosted by Shandice Banks.
What agents left able to do:
- Treat the notice as urgent the same day it arrives
- Send one clean package through the lender, not a pile of weak sales
- Pick the best three to five closed sales and explain each one
- Let the appraiser decide, with no pressure
- Know the next options if the value still comes in low
Two questions agents asked:
“Does the notice tell you how big the gap is?” VA’s rule only says the appraiser must warn that the value may come in below the price. The appraiser sets the value after looking at what you send.
“Why send sales before you see the appraiser’s?” Because the two business days come before the report is final. It is the only time new sales get looked at before the value is set.
Next up in October: VA entitlement, and owning two homes with VA loans, taught by Stacey Melton and Tom Mellett of Lending Heights. (See “You can use a VA home loan more than once” above.)
Community Spotlight: Jen Cluff
In September’s Community Spotlight, Jen Cluff of Texas Haven Home Group, Keller Williams Heritage in San Antonio, shared how she runs her business. Jen is an Air Force spouse.
Her big idea: great service wins the client, and simple systems keep the promise. She sets a white glove standard, then writes down the steps so every client gets it, every time.
By The Numbers
Read off the platform on October 2. Nothing here is an estimate.
How often Google showed our pages, read October 2
| 28 days before | Last 28 days | |
|---|---|---|
| Times our pages showed up in Google | 1,566 | 1,963 |
| Times people clicked through | 71 | 79 |
The Certification Ladder
Four certifications, included with membership.
On October 2, 63 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
Last month’s Intel showed up in Google 141 times in its first month. The searches we can see were about the 2027 military pay raise.
That is September’s lesson, working on our own page: answer the question people actually type. “2027 military pay raise” is a question. That is why this issue leads with it again.
One caveat we owe you: one issue in one month is a small test.
Where We Are, and Where We Are Not
On October 2, verified agents covered 288 cities, with a primary market in 33 states.
Fifteen states had no verified agent at all:
Arkansas · Connecticut · Delaware · Idaho · Mississippi · Montana · Nebraska · New Hampshire · New Mexico · North Dakota · Oregon · Rhode Island · Vermont · West Virginia · Wyoming
If your state was 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
Community Spotlight, Thursday, October 22. 9AM Pacific / 12PM Eastern, hosted by David Macias. Fourth Thursday of every month.
VA Lessons Learned: next up in October, VA entitlement and owning two homes with VA loans, taught by Stacey Melton and Tom Mellett of Lending Heights. The date will be posted in 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 October 2026 · Maintained by My Military HQ
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