Welcome to Kitsap, USS Abraham Lincoln: Helping Military Families Make Their Next Move

Welcome to Kitsap, USS Abraham Lincoln: Helping Military Families Make Their Next Move

By Frank Ellerbroek | Vantage Mortgage Brokers | NMLS #128726

To the sailors and families of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72): welcome to Kitsap County.

With the carrier’s announced homeport move from San Diego to Bremerton later in 2026, many families are preparing for a new chapter in the Pacific Northwest. Along with the excitement comes a long list of decisions—moving schedules, housing, schools, work and getting settled in an unfamiliar community.

If buying a home is part of your plans, you don’t have to wait until you arrive to start understanding your options.

I put together a Military Relocation Guide for Naval Base Kitsap to help you explore the area, learn about VA financing and build a homebuying plan before your move.

A community where military service is part of everyday life

Kitsap County offers something special: waterfront communities, forested trails, views of the Olympic Mountains and a strong connection to the Navy.

Naval Base Kitsap and the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard are woven into the community. Military families, veterans and civilian employees are our neighbors, friends, business owners and volunteers.

Bremerton, Silverdale, Port Orchard and Poulsbo each offer a different feel. You might prefer being closer to your reporting location, having convenient shopping nearby, or finding a quieter neighborhood with room to spread out. The right fit depends on your commute, budget and the way your family likes to live.

I grew up in Central Kitsap, and that connection remains an important part of my work. Helping incoming families understand the area and their financing options is something I enjoy.

A military move is enough to manage—home financing shouldn’t add confusion

A permanent change of station can mean making important decisions from hundreds of miles away. You may be coordinating a move while deciding what to do with your current home or working around a spouse’s employment change.

Buying a home can feel stressful even without those moving pieces.

My approach is to work through the questions early, explain the numbers clearly and help you understand what needs to happen next. That includes looking at a payment you’re comfortable with, estimated cash needed to close and how your plans fit the available loan options.

Your pre-approval should help you make a confident decision—not simply tell you the largest loan you might qualify for.

Your VA benefit is valuable. The details matter.

VA financing can provide meaningful advantages for eligible borrowers, including no monthly mortgage insurance and the possibility of purchasing without a down payment. Eligibility, entitlement, property value and lender requirements all matter.

It’s also important to understand that VA loans are offered by different lenders, and their rates, fees and requirements can vary.

Over more than 28 years in lending, I’ve helped clients navigate questions such as:

• Can I use my VA benefit again? An existing VA loan doesn’t automatically prevent another purchase. We can review your Certificate of Eligibility, remaining entitlement and plans for your current property.

• What will I need for closing? A purchase without a down payment can still involve closing costs, inspections, prepaid taxes and insurance, and a VA funding fee unless you qualify for an exemption.

• Can the seller help with costs? Depending on the transaction and applicable rules, seller-paid costs or concessions may help with your purchase.

• How does military income fit? We can review your documented pay, allowances and transfer circumstances to understand what a lender can use.

• What if my move and closing dates don’t line up? Reviewing occupancy requirements and timing early can help identify issues before you commit to a purchase.

My VA Loan Guide explains these topics in more detail, with links to entitlement and residual-income calculators.

Compare the rate—and what it costs to get it

A competitive interest rate matters. So does understanding the price attached to that rate.

One quote may include discount points paid upfront. Another may have a slightly higher rate with lower closing costs. A lender credit may reduce the cash you need today while increasing your payment.

As an independent mortgage broker, I compare available wholesale lender options and provide a detailed cost analysis so you can see the differences side by side.

We can look at the payment, lender fees, points, credits and costs over a timeframe that fits your plans. For a military family whose next assignment may bring another move, that conversation is especially useful.

You can also explore my live rates and loan comparison tools as you begin your research.

You can start before you arrive

You can begin the pre-approval process while you’re still in San Diego or at your current duty station.

We can meet by phone or Zoom, discuss your goals, review the documents needed and work through your financing options remotely. Once the necessary review is complete, a conditional pre-approval can help you shop with a clearer budget and prepare to make an offer.

Starting early gives us time to address questions about an existing mortgage, entitlement, income, credit or available funds before you’re also trying to unpack and settle in.

And if renting first makes more sense, that’s a worthwhile decision too. Your expected time in the area, savings and future plans should all be part of the conversation.

Use the resources available to your family

My relocation guide brings together local community information, financing education and links to the Navy’s housing and relocation resources.

The Naval Base Kitsap Housing Service Center and Fleet & Family Support Center are valuable places to explore military housing, rental assistance information and relocation support. Your command and sponsor can help with reporting requirements and your individual move timeline.

Explore the Naval Base Kitsap Military Relocation Guide →

Let’s make your next move a little easier

To the USS Abraham Lincoln sailors and families preparing for this transition: thank you for your service, and welcome to the community.

Whether you’re ready to get pre-approved or simply want to understand your options, I’m happy to help you put a plan together before you arrive.

Schedule a 15-minute phone call with Frank

Learn how to get pre-approved

Frank Ellerbroek | NMLS #128726
Vantage Mortgage Brokers | NMLS #35986
Serving Washington, Oregon and Idaho
Equal Housing Opportunity

Pre-approval is conditional and is not a commitment to lend. All loans are subject to eligibility, credit, income, underwriting and property requirements. Rates, terms and programs are subject to change. This independent resource is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Navy or Department of Veterans Affairs.