Military life, to include military moving, can be very stressful. From deployments, promotions, training and field time, service members and their families have quite a bit to juggle during day to day life. Of all of the things that service members and their families have to deal with, a permanent change of station (PCS) can instantly invoke dread in even the most stalwart of veteran families.
Why?
Housing.
Upon receipt of PCS orders, the fun begins. Off to transportation to arrange for shipping, checking availability of on-post housing, and then the two biggest questions for folks who already own their home. Where are we going to live at our new assignment, and what are we going to do with our current home?
Owning a house is a challenge for military personnel because military assignment cycles happen during the summer. Orders usually come after the the springtime, which is the best time to sell a house. This forces service members to usually buy a house when prices peak in the mid to late summer.
What a headache!
So here are a few tips on preparing for your move.
List early
On his morning talk show in Washington DC, Real Estate guru Eric Stewart recommends that homeowners list as soon as they know they have to move. Many homeowners make the mistake of waiting until everything is “perfect” before they list.
I made this same mistake in 2010, and it cost me thousands. So if you are absolutely determined to sell, find a realtor who can advise you on the things to get fixed while your house is listed, and take advantage of an early market.
In many cases, renting your home may be a better option than selling it. Most rental markets around military bases are strong (meaning that there is a large demand and small supply), so you can generally cover your mortgage, and the property management fees with a lease. Make sure to set aside money for maintenance issues, and be picky about who you get to manage your property.
Send out your advanced party
There is only so much that you can learn from Zillow and other real estate data mining sites. Remember one thing about a listing on a home, the pictures will not give you the whole story.
While we were getting ready for our move to Virginia, my wife and I scoured various real estate websites for a nice rental. We simply weren’t in a position to buy, nor were we ready to settle in the area. We found a nice house on a 1.5 acre lot in a quiet neighborhood.
Awesome!
We signed the lease, sight unseen. Well, the pictures didn’t do a good job showing the massive gutter in the front yard, and the steep creek bed in the back yard. For a family with two kids and two dogs, this was a difficult transition. (And it was a pain to mow!)
If at all possible, send your spouse to check out the local housing market and work with an area realtor. If not, find a trusted friend or family member to do your recon. You’ll be glad you did.
Avoid long term leases
Finally, there is a certain allure to signing a long-term lease with either a potential tenant for your house, or a prospective landlord. While turning over tenants is often stressful, it forces you to keep up with the maintenance of your home. By doing so, you maintain its value and protect your investment.
If you lock yourself into a long term lease, you rob yourself of the flexibility to take advantage of opportunities as they arise. I recommend keeping yourself on a yearly lease cycle, but make sure that you can lock in your lease rate with your landlord if you renew.
So, there you go. There is a great deal more, but the bottom line, like any military operation, moving takes research, recon, and planning.
Good luck, and contact us at Garry Owen Homes if you find yourself moving into the National Capital Region. We’ll take care of you and give you a free consultation regarding your transition need.
