I'm a 29 yr old service member, engaged, with no children. I'm about to put on O-4 and we're looking for a home - prices range from 250-280k.
My fiancee and I are debt free, and I have about 170k in liquid savings.
We will only be in the Norfolk area for 5-6 years (Sea + Shore), and intend to sell at that point.

My question:
Should we take a 30-yr fixed conventional, 20% down costing us ~60k up front, or use a 30yr fixed VA, 0 down, costing ~8k up front?
I guess my thinking is that I have no intention of owning the home until the mortgage is paid down, or to need a equity loan, so I should keep my money in savings,etc.

thanks
M

I would recommend you put 20% down and do a conventional loan. We can go on for hours on the math of interest earned vs. interest paid. But once you factor in the lower monthly expense, annual home appreciation, and overall the fact that lower debt is a better situation than higher debt you are better hedged by putting money down and going with the lower monthly payment obligation.