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Any big changes coming for your family this year?

  • 1.  Any big changes coming for your family this year?

    Posted 01-23-2023 03:30 PM

    It's 2023, and with a new year comes new friends, new stories, and exciting opportunities. And we're right here with you for the journey. What are you most excited about this year?


    Do you have a PCS coming up? Making a career change? Looking to connect with military families in your community?



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    Faith Janes
    Blue Star Families Staff
    Digital Transformation Senior Project Manager
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  • 2.  RE: Any big changes coming for your family this year?

    Posted 01-23-2023 08:35 PM
    2023 is a HUGE year for our family! My husband is retiring from the Army and our daughter is graduating from high school.

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    Kimberly Bacso
    Blue Star Families Staff
    Seattle, WA Office
    kbacso@bluestarfam.org
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  • 3.  RE: Any big changes coming for your family this year?

    Posted 01-24-2023 11:38 AM
    Wow, Kimberly! Those ARE some huge, exciting events for your family. Do you think you'll stay put after your husband retires, or do you have a chance at one final move?

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    Faith Janes
    Blue Star Families Staff
    Digital Transformation Senior Project Manager
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  • 4.  RE: Any big changes coming for your family this year?

    Posted 01-25-2023 12:45 PM
    @Faith Janes, we'll stay put until summer so we can finish out our lease and then we'll move. But it won't necessarily be our forever home just yet. We would love to live close to our daughter after she graduates from college . . . if she settles. She starts nursing school in the fall and the Army is a career option she's considering. All the moving pieces! ​

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    Kimberly Bacso
    Blue Star Families Staff
    Seattle, WA Office
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  • 5.  RE: Any big changes coming for your family this year?

    Posted 01-24-2023 11:28 AM
    I'm hoping to stand up the Blue Star Outdoors program here in El Paso. There are so many wonderful outdoor spaces and the weather stays relatively nice year round. It could be a great way to engage families. We are starting in February. Wish me luck!

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    Adriene Engstrom
    Blue Star Families Staff
    El Paso, TX Office
    aengstrom@bluestarfam.org
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  • 6.  RE: Any big changes coming for your family this year?

    Posted 01-24-2023 11:39 AM
    Oh that sounds like a FUN kind of busy! I can't wait to hear more. What kinds of activities do you have in mind?

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    Faith Janes
    Blue Star Families Staff
    Digital Transformation Senior Project Manager
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  • 7.  RE: Any big changes coming for your family this year?

    Posted 01-30-2023 11:18 AM
    I am most looking forward to homecoming and making it through our first deployment!!

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    Brittany McNally
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  • 8.  RE: Any big changes coming for your family this year?

    Posted 02-17-2023 11:10 AM

    That's a huge milestone Brittany and definitely something to look forward to! 



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    Kimberly Bacso
    Blue Star Families Staff
    Seattle, WA Office
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  • 9.  RE: Any big changes coming for your family this year?

    Posted 03-27-2023 12:31 PM

    Preparing to purchase a 3rd home in the Tampa Bay Area for our family that grew out of our current residence in 2015 (after birth of our 4th daughter). Plan to turn the current home into a rental (hot market near McDill) after some needed renovations.



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    ADRIAN SPENCER
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  • 10.  RE: Any big changes coming for your family this year?

    Posted 03-27-2023 12:41 PM
    Edited by Adriene Engstrom 03-27-2023 12:41 PM

    @ADRIAN SPENCER how has the process been with buying and renting in the Tampa area? We sold our home after a PCS from Fort Riley because we were afraid of the difficulties of renting or that if we held on too long we wouldn't be able to sell. Are things pretty consistent your area?



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    Adriene Engstrom
    Blue Star Families Staff
    El Paso, TX Office
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  • 11.  RE: Any big changes coming for your family this year?

    Posted 03-28-2023 08:05 AM

    In our experience, the Tampa market has been volatile and properties move quickly. Prior to PCSing in 2013, we got a realtor through USAA and found a home we were interested in, in our desired area and in our price range. We made a bid that was lower than the asking price and were promptly outbid. We were a bit upset that the realtor didn't inform us how volatile the market was and changed realtors. At that point we were already on the road and we arrived at the end of July. It took us until October to find something similar and we finally closed in November. During that time we lived in base lodging where they only allow stays for I think it was 30 days, so we had to prepare to move out every month unless they allowed us to extend (or we would have had to stay in a hotel/ motel). At the end, our home which we feel we paid to much for (due to its age and the poor "flip"that it endured) at $165k is now valued in the $300k price range due to the volatile market. We are planning to purchase another home in the area and turn this one into a rental after some needed renovations.



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    ADRIAN SPENCER
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  • 12.  RE: Any big changes coming for your family this year?

    Posted 03-28-2023 08:19 AM

    We haven't experienced renting yet in Tampa, but we have a rental in Wichita, Ks. We had an awesome KS realtor who we keep in touch with today who set us up with a property manager when we were ready to PCS. Our property manager was great for a few years before her service declined and we went back to our realtor for another recommendation. We now have a property manager (who is also a realtor) who's father is a general contractor. We have been able to take advantage of his services to upgrade our rental and have no stress. They are a great team. My wife just got her FL real estate license so we're getting setup to rent once she is established and has connected to a network of reliable people.



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    ADRIAN SPENCER
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  • 13.  RE: Any big changes coming for your family this year?

    Posted 12 days ago

    We are about to undertake our first unaccompanied tour. Our son is EFMP, and we will remain here at Scott AFB for the next year while my spouse heads to Korea. 

    We are grateful for the stability for our son so he can maintain his therapies, school, friends, and team sports. It will be a bummer to have dad away though! :( 



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    Meghan Wieten-Scott
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  • 14.  RE: Any big changes coming for your family this year?

    Posted 12 days ago

    Wishing you and your family the best as you prepare for this difficult transition! I know you'll plan fun things and make the most of your year. ❤︎



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    Kimberly Bacso
    Blue Star Families Staff
    Seattle, WA Office
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