Roy Carterwith Cole Properties

Roy Carter · Marine Corps Veteran · Realtor
Cole Properties · 417 E Tamarack Rd, Altus, OK 73521

A veteran who has been through the move. I served in the Marine Corps from 2003 to 2007, and I know what it's like when PCS orders come through and the clock starts ticking. I work with Altus AFB and military families on VA loans, rentals, and sales, and I'll help you get settled or sold without the extra stress.
Let's talk about your next move.Phone: 580.301.3550
Email: Mustangcarter@myyahoo.com
[OKLAHOMA LICENSE NUMBER, IF REQUIRED]
Homes for SaleSeller RepresentationRentals and LeasingJackson County and Surrounding Communities

Moving to Altus AFB? Here's the short version.

My own story is above. This is the practical part: the steps that tend to matter most when orders bring you to Altus, and the basics of the VA loan if you're thinking about buying.

PCS checklist

Before you get here

  1. Contact the Altus AFB Military Housing Office as soon as you know you're moving: Building 358, 401 L Avenue, (580) 481-7235. They handle referrals for off-base housing too.
  2. Schedule your household goods move with the base Personal Property Office, (580) 481-7515.
  3. Look up your BAH rate for Altus with the Defense Travel Management Office calculator so you know your housing budget.
  4. Arrange temporary lodging at the Red River Inn, Building 82, (580) 481-7356. It's the 24-hour arrival point.
  5. If you rent, make sure your lease has a military release clause.
VA loan basics

What the VA says

  • You'll need a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), and you have to meet the VA's and your lender's credit and income standards.
  • No down payment is required, as long as the sales price isn't higher than the appraised value.
  • There's no private mortgage insurance (PMI).
  • You may owe a one-time VA funding fee. The seller can pay some closing costs.
  • The home has to be the one you'll live in.
Living near the base

Short commutes

The Air Force housing office notes several apartment complexes near the base, and a good selection of single-family homes for rent or sale in the area. Ask me about specific neighborhoods and drive times, and I'll walk you through what's available.

[CONFIRM WITH ROY] Not in town yet? I can do a live video walkthrough of a home so you can see it before you arrive.

Your lender and the VA decide eligibility and loan terms. Base phone numbers come from Military OneSource and can change, so confirm them before you call.

Altus and the towns around it.

A quick lay of the land. School districts and prices change, so check with the district and look at current listings before you decide. Ask me about any of these, and I'll tell you what I know.

In town

Altus

Served by Altus Public Schools, with about 3,600 students in seven schools. The median sale price was about $207,000 for the three months ending September 2026. The Museum of the Western Prairie on Memorial Drive covers the area's history, Altus AFB included.

Just outside Altus

Navajo school district

Navajo Public Schools is a PK–12 district with an Altus address (15695 S. County Road 210). It describes itself as military friendly and reports a 13:1 student-to-teacher ratio. If a country address with an Altus mailing address is on your list, ask me which district it falls in.

Jackson County

Blair

Blair is a small Jackson County town with its own district, Blair Public Schools, which has an elementary school and a high school.

Jackson County

Olustee and Eldorado

These two towns share the Olustee-Eldorado Public Schools district, which has about 140 students in two schools. Expect more land and fewer neighbors.

Weekends

Quartz Mountain and Lake Altus-Lugert

Quartz Mountain State Park near Lone Wolf sits on Lake Altus-Lugert. It has boating, fishing, hiking, rock climbing at Baldy Point and an 18-hole disc golf course. It's the usual answer when someone asks what there is to do around here.