Itai Melendez

03/18/2026

Relocating on PCS orders can feel like a lot—tight timelines, big decisions, and trying to figure out a new area all at once.

If you’re heading to the Richmond area (near Fort Gregg-Adams), I put together a simple, no-pressure guide to help you get your bearings—housing, local spots, and what to expect from a veteran’s perspective.

Richmond has a way of surprising people in the best way. It’s not just a duty station—it can really start to feel like home.

If you’re in the early stages or already have orders in hand, take a few minutes to check this out 👇

And if you’ve got questions about neighborhoods, commute, or whether it makes more sense to rent or buy—I’m always here to help. No pressure, just guidance.

Relocating to Richmond, VA on PCS? Get a veteran’s perspective on housing, neighborhoods, BAH strategy, and local insights to make your move smoother and more confident.

03/09/2026

https://www.firmfoundationre.com/blog/

01/19/2026

Great open house 🏡 traction is tracking

07/06/2023

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Buy a house and get a 15 year fixed mortgage rather than a 30 year mortgage. Saves a lot of money in interest over the life of the loan. If you must get the 30 year mortgage verify no prepayment penalty. This gives you the flexibility of paying off early if you are able. But also gives the option of making lower payments when times are tough.

When you start your job, get an HSA account not FSA and get the high deductible health insurance. It will lower your tax bracket and the money is yours to use. You also earn 40% in most cases after 10k!!!

Never buy a car brand new! I’ve watched Escalades go from 100k (new) to 35k four years later.

Get you an LLC (incorporate your name!!) and run it as an S Corp. Remember Jay-Z quote “I’m not a Businessman I’m a Business Maaaaaaaan....” let that sink in.

Learn Tax laws and codes…live for deductions 💪🏽

Build business credit! The loans are bigger and the interest rate is lower.

Get a business bank account (in most cases this costs around $500 to start). Also no fees.

Get with your peers from your graduating class and others together at homecoming on one day for two hours to plot and strategize how we can move our communities forward (commerce, politics, education, etc...)

If you want to support Black People, support Black Business and Black Institutions of higher Education.

Get life insurance for you and your children (term) as soon as they are born (one thing is for sure is we will die...might as well leave your kids something extra!). The sooner you get it, the cheaper it is.

Get the people in your immediate family or circle to save collectively! If 10 people save $500/month, that’s 60k every year. You could buy 3 starter homes every year and in 4 years all ten of you are home owners. Buy on the same block or neighborhood if you can...this way you control the value of the homes (remember Monopoly!)…get a lawyer to draw up an agreement ✊🏽

Learn how to create a wealth portfolio and acquire hard assets like the wealthy do.

I need 100 people to copy and repost this on their pages and groups.

(This one was worth the SHARE. I’m checking to see how many I’ve done)