Selling a home is tricky, especially for the deployed

Mary Perez

Nov. 10, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- The effects of the credit crunch and high home insurance rates on the Coast are reaching all the way to those deployed overseas.

Both Capt. John Harrell and Staff Sgt. Stacy Stewart, who were stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, will be reassigned when they return from duty.

Harrell is at an undisclosed location in the Middle East and Stewart is serving in Kuwait.

Both have their homes listed for sale, and their wives struggle to keep them show-ready while working and taking care of their young children.

"I am hoping to continue my education and train to become a CRNA (certified registered nurse anesthetist)," said John Harrell. "The sale of our house would enable me to move to a different part of America in order to become a full-time student."

Last week, he got word he was both accepted at and awarded the funds to attend two schools. This week, he should find out which of the schools he'll be attending.

His wife, Ashley Harrell, said few people are accepted into the programs and even fewer get the money to attend. She's hoping John can come home in February but is worried about selling their Ocean Springs-area home before it's time to leave the Coast.

Realtor Ann Taylor with Alfonso Realty has showed the home to three couples so far, but they didn't get an offer on their 4-bedroom, 2-bath house with a large backyard, a room with a fireplace and lots of cupboards in the large kitchen.

The Stewarts had their 4-bedroom, 2-bath home built for them two years ago in Woolmarket and Sgt. Jamee Stewart said, "If I could take the house with me I would." They will be moving to Las Vegas when Stacy returns. Jamee is looking at homes on the Internet and saw one she liked, but she said, "We have to sell here first."

Their Realtor, Gaylord Wilson with Buyers Realty, said the Stewarts' house has a lot of good qualities.

"It's in a very nice neighborhood," and is only two years old, all brick and energy-efficient with cathedral ceilings, a formal dining room and eat-in kitchen.

"We're still selling houses," but he said it's a challenge. "It's all about price." Both families bought their homes after Hurricane Katrina and real estate prices have dropped since then.

The memories they've made in their homes make it hard to sell, but Capt. Harrell said: "It would be a real relief to have the house sold because we would be able to start saving money and preparing for our future. The best memories I have in our home are my children's second and third birthday parties. Since both Ashley's extended family and my extended family live in Florida, it is hard for all of us to get together."

The last time he saw his father was at their home over the Fourth of July weekend in 2007, when they also celebrated the twins' second birthday. "It was a special time for us," grilling in the backyard and setting off fireworks, John said.

"Little did I know that my dad would pass away unexpectedly a few weeks later, and I was thankful for that time that we had been able to spend together," he said.

This is the first home Stacy and Jamee purchased and Stacy said, "Bringing my newborn baby home, watching her grow up for the first two years of her life" are among the special memories.

The first Christmas after they moved in was warm, and Jamee said, "I made Stacy turn on the air conditioning so we could light the fire."

"We're both fearful that our home won't be sold and we'll be in Las Vegas trying to buy another home," said Stacy, "renting because we can't afford two house payments, or living on base until our home in Biloxi sells.

"It would be such a relief to know the house was sold while I'm gone."

The series

This is the fourth in a series of articles that will follow Capt. John Harrell of the 81st Medical Group at Keesler Medical Center and Staff Sgt. Stacy Stewart of the 81st Training Wing as they deploy to the Middle East, while their wives and young children are at home on the Coast.

Delighted to see a family photo on the computer, Madison Harrell remembers the summer pool party before her father, Capt. John Harrell, deployed to the Middle East.

Capt. John Harrell works at his desk at a medical center where he is deployed in the Middle East. He work about 80 hours a week, and says he has lost 20 pounds since arriving in the desert and is in the shape of his life.

Waiting at home on the Coast for Staff Sgt. Stacy Stewart to return from Kuwait are his wife, Staff Sgt. Jamee Stewart, their daughter, Hannah, and son Clayton, not pictured.

Keeping the house ready to show prospective buyers is easier now that Jamee Stewart has bought herself an early Christmas present -- a robotic vacuum that even cleans under the bed.

Mom Ashley Harrell is taking care of everything at home, including selling their home, while her husband, Capt. John Harrell is deployed to the Middle East. She is longing for a nap, but 3-year-old Conner is ready to play with his twin sister, Madison.

Too young to know her dad, Staff Sgt. Stacy Stewart, has deployed to Kuwait, Hannah Stewart is all smiles for her mom, Staff Sgt. Jamee Stewart, who was deployed to Iraq earlier this year. Hannah turns 2 this week.

In a lonely moment, 3-year-old Madison Harrell says her father is in the desert helping people. Capt. John Harrell is serving at an undisclosed location in the Middle East.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0021-29406117