Fort Stewart · Hunter Army Airfield · Coastal Georgia

You have orders. Now you need straight answers, not a sales pitch.

I'm Jodi Harstine. I'm an Army veteran, I'm married to a retired soldier, and I sell real estate in the counties around both posts. Tell me your report date and I'll tell you what's actually possible.

Army veteran Military spouse Military Relocation Professional VA loan experienced Associate Broker

I've made this move myself.

My husband retired from the Army. Between us we have moved with a report date on the calendar, a house to sort out, and four kids who needed to land somewhere. So I know what the timeline actually feels like from the inside — the part where you're trying to make a closing date, a household goods pickup, and a first duty day all agree with each other.

That's the job I do here. Not selling you on Coastal Georgia. Working out what your particular set of dates and numbers allows, and telling you plainly when something won't work.

What people ask me first

Can I buy before I ever get there?

Most of my military clients start 60 to 90 days out and never see the house in person until closing week. I walk it on video with you, on your schedule, and I tell you what the camera doesn't show — the road noise, the drainage, the neighbor's roof.

Will a seller actually accept a VA offer?

Yes, routinely, in this market. Where the myth comes from is the VA appraisal and the minimum property requirements, which can put a repair back on the seller. How your offer is written and how I present it to the listing agent is most of the difference.

How much house does BAH cover?

BAH is an allowance, not a budget. The number that matters is the whole monthly payment — principal, interest, taxes, insurance, and HOA if there is one. Insurance in particular runs higher near the coast than most people expect coming from inland.

What's the funding fee going to cost me?

It's a one-time fee on the loan, it varies by down payment and by whether you've used your entitlement before, some veterans are exempt, and it can usually be rolled in. Your lender gives you the exact figure — I'll make sure you've asked for it before you write an offer.

How far is the gate, really?

Far enough that it's worth thinking about before you fall in love with a house. Fort Stewart and Hunter are about forty minutes apart, and a few towns sit between them. There's a rough guide below.

What if my orders change?

They do. We build the contract with that in mind — realistic closing dates, the right contingencies, and a plan for what happens if the report date slides. This is the single most common reason a military purchase goes sideways, and it's largely preventable.

Which gate are you reporting to?

Rough drive times, no traffic, from the middle of each town. Send me your actual address and report time and I'll check it against a real morning.

Fort Stewart

Liberty & Bryan Counties

  • Hinesville at the gate
  • Flemington ~10 min
  • Midway ~20 min
  • Richmond Hill ~30 min
  • Pembroke ~30 min

Hunter Army Airfield

Chatham & Effingham Counties

  • Savannah ~10 min
  • Pooler ~20 min
  • Richmond Hill ~25 min
  • Rincon ~35 min
  • Guyton / Springfield ~45 min

Richmond Hill is the one town that works for either post, which is why so many dual-military and follow-on-orders families land there.

Start your home search

Answer a few questions — price range, timing, where you're reporting, whether you have a home to sell first. You'll get a text from me, not an auto-responder chain, and I'll come back with what your dates actually allow.

Jodi Harstine

Associate Broker · Harstine Homes at eXp Realty · 912-557-9975

One more thing worth saying out loud: I can't tell you which neighborhood is the "right" one for your family, and no Realtor should. What I can do is put the map and the commute in front of you, tell you which numbers to go get and who to get them from — your lender, your insurance agent — and let you decide from there.

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