Realtor.com used national home buying data from 2022 to analyze where Gen Zers — who are credited with studying purchases thoroughly before committing — were buying. It found that Jacksonville, North Carolina, was the number one spot, an area many of our AAFMAA Members are well acquainted with.
AAFMAA Mortgage Services LLC’s (AMS) local office in Swansboro wasn’t surprised to see Jacksonville topping the list. “We live in an affordable coastal paradise where we are oriented toward water sports like kayaking and fishing and have quaint historic towns and nationally known events within driving distance,” says Corey Riggs, sales manager of AMS’s Swansboro branch.
Located on the New River and just 30 miles from the Atlantic coast, Jacksonville is home to Camp Lejeune and its 137,526 Marines, Sailors, retirees, their families, and civilian employees. The average Jacksonville, NC home value is $247,742, up 6.0% over the past year, and goes to pending in around 7 days.
Other “military” towns in the list’s top 10 included Watertown, NY, near Fort Drum, an Army military reservation with about 16,000 residents; St. Joseph, MO, where Rosecrans Air National Guard Base is located; and Hinesville, GA near Fort Stewart, an Army base of about 9,000.
Related: Purchasing a Starter Home
The Charm of Two Cities
Jacksonville and surrounding cities offer a lot to buyers looking for an affordable and beautiful place to live. The area has a rich history as it evolved from a sleepy trading port to a thriving metropolis. The County of Onslow, formed in 1731, was named in honor of Arthur Onslow, speaker of the House of Commons in the British Parliament. The town of Jacksonville was not laid out until 1849. Historical writer Bill Sharpe said at the time: “The county seemed heedless of the restless yearning of its neighbors for development."
That all changed in 1940 when Marine Base Camp Lejeune was built in Onslow County because the New River location is near the deep-water ports of Wilmington and Morehead City, making it a valuable asset for amphibious training. And, in fact, visitors today often can catch a glimpse of the amphibious assault training happening at the training facility.
The Jacksonville area is rich with tributes to the military lifestyle and heroes. At Lejeune Memorial Gardens, a series of monuments pay tribute to the Marine Corps’ heritage. Jacksonville is also home to the USO of North Carolina, which opened in 1942 and is the oldest continuously running USO in the world. Riverwalk Park connects downtown to the New River waterfront.
Swansboro, on the other side of the base, is bordered by the White Oak River and the Intracoastal Waterway. It’s known as the “Friendly City by the Sea.” Visitors are charmed by its historic downtown right on the waterfront. AMS opened its office here in 2023 to serve active duty servicemembers but also those who have retired but love the area and want to stay.
Homes in Jacksonville and Swansboro offer good value for buyers of all generations. The average home value in Swansboro is $341,563, up 5.2% over the past year. “A lot of younger buyers are marines being transferred to Camp Lejeune who end up buying their first home here because housing is affordable and they want to start building a real estate portfolio,” says Riggs, who has worked with AMS since 2020.
AMS also has an office in Morrisville (Raleigh), near the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base. Both offices work from referrals, either from local real estate agents working with military buyers or from Members who tell friends about the outstanding service they received from AMS’s Military Mortgage Advisors, many of whom also served in the Armed Forces.
“We are very unique because we're a military-based, not-for-profit organization that puts the needs of our Members above all else,” says Riggs. While the majority of buyers use VA Home Loans for their home purchase, AMS also offers conventional and FHA financing. “We work with our buyers to match them to the right product to make sure they transition successfully into homeownership,” he says.
Related: AMS Branch Locations
Other Nearby Areas of Interest
Several surrounding communities are worthy of mention, too. Morehead City is home to the North Carolina Seafood Festival and the nationally recognized Big Rock Blue Marlin fishing tournament. Beaufort, a quaint little fishing community, was made famous by Blackbeard the pirate. The NC Maritime Museum in Beaufort is the official repository for artifacts from Blackbeard’s ship Queen Anne's Revenge.
Topsail Island, south of Jacksonville and roughly equidistant between the barrier islands of the Crystal Coast and the beaches of the Cape Fear region, is a quaint beach community, although home prices are higher than other areas, with a median price of $858,750 as of June 2024.
Buying in This Market
AMS’s team works throughout the state to assist military homebuyers with building, purchasing or refinancing their homes.
“Whether you’re looking at the affordable end of these markets or want to invest in that forever property you can hand down to future generations, this area has it all — beaches, scenic coastlines, historic downtowns, museums and festivals year-round,” says Riggs. “We’re confident we can work with any buyer to help you achieve the American dream.”
We’re Here to Help
Whether you’re thinking about buying, ready to start home-shopping in earnest, or considering a refinance, an AMS Military Mortgage Advisor will be happy to provide you with an honest and fair comparison of your mortgage options, including a wide range of affordable mortgages designed to meet your needs.
Ensuring AAFMAA Members obtain the best mortgage possible is our mission. Get your free mortgage assessment today or give us a call at 844-422-3622!