VA loans · JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst
Buying With a VA Loan After a PCS to JB MDL
Got PCS orders to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst? I'm a local VA mortgage broker in Medford, about 25 minutes from base, and I help service members line up a VA pre-approval before they arrive so they can shop as soon as they land.
Start before you move
You can get pre-approved for a VA loan while you're still at your current duty station. Your PCS orders, recent LES and your COE are the core documents. Many lenders can use your orders to document income at the new station, and closings can often be done remotely or with a power of attorney if you can't be here.
Step by step
- Get your COE. I can request it online in most cases. See the VA loan checklist.
- Get pre-approved with your orders and LES. Start here.
- Pick a town and commute. See the list below.
- Tour in person or by video with a local agent.
- Plan the timing. Most lenders want you to occupy the home within a reasonable time of closing, usually around 60 days, with exceptions for deployment.
Towns near JB MDL
- Wrightstown and New Hanover: right outside the gates
- Pemberton and Browns Mills: popular with military families, some areas USDA-eligible
- Bordentown, Florence and Mount Holly: older towns with easy Turnpike access
- Medford, Lumberton and Mount Laurel: suburban, closer to Philadelphia
- Jackson, Manchester and Toms River: Ocean County, near the Lakehurst side
Don’t see your town? No problem. VA loans can be used for an eligible home anywhere in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, not only near the base. And VA loans aren’t only for active duty: veterans, National Guard and Reserve members, and some surviving spouses may be eligible too. You also don’t need a big national online lender to get one. As a local broker, I work with many VA-approved lenders and can compare them for you.
Not sure what a mortgage broker does? A broker shops your VA loan with multiple lenders for you. Learn why veterans use a mortgage broker.
Using BAH
Your Basic Allowance for Housing counts as income with most lenders, and the BAH rate for the JB MDL area is set by DoD for your rank and dependents. Lenders look at your whole budget, including NJ property taxes, which vary a lot by town.
If you'll PCS again later
Many service members keep their home as a rental when they leave. VA rules allow that after you've met the occupancy requirement, and your entitlement can be reused later. Investor options like DSCR loans help with the next property.
More: VA loans near JB MDL · VA with no down payment in NJ · local mortgage broker in NJ.
David J. Hutchison II, NMLS #63021 · NEXA Mortgage, LLC dba NEXA Lending, Company NMLS #1660690 · Equal Housing Opportunity. All loans subject to credit approval, property eligibility and lender guidelines. Not affiliated with VA, HUD/FHA, USDA, the Department of Defense or any government agency.
Talk to a local mortgage broker
- VA loans
- FHA loans
- USDA loans
- Conventional loans
- DSCR investor loans
- Bank statement loans
- Refinance & cash-out
David J. Hutchison II
(609) 665-3460
dhutch@nexalending.com
FAQ
Common questions
Can I get pre-approved before I arrive at JB MDL?
Yes. With your PCS orders, LES and COE, I can usually start your VA pre-approval while you're still at your current duty station. All loans are subject to credit approval and lender guidelines.
Do I have to be in New Jersey to close?
Not always. Many closings can be done with a power of attorney or remote options, depending on the lender and title company.
Does BAH count as income?
Most lenders count BAH as income for a VA loan.
Can I rent the home out when I PCS again?
Usually yes, once you've met the VA occupancy requirement. I can walk you through your options.
Which towns are closest to the base?
Wrightstown, New Hanover, Pemberton, Browns Mills, Bordentown, Mount Holly and the Lakehurst-side towns in Ocean County.
Next step
Let's talk through your options
No credit pull and no Social Security number, just a conversation. I'll compare lenders and explain everything in plain English.
Need a real estate agent? I can refer you to experienced NJ agents, including agents who know VA loans well. Ask for an agent referral.
Quick quote
PCSing to JB MDL? Fill out the form here
Share a few details and I'll reach out, usually the same business day, to talk through options. This is a conversation, not an application — no Social Security number and no credit pull.
- Call/Text(609) 665-3460
- Emaildhutch@nexalending.com
- NMLS#63021
Last updated Nov 2026