Everything You Need to Know Before Your First PCS Move

The first time a military family plunges into a military move, they’re going to have questions. A lot of questions! It’s exciting to jump in and start the search for houses to rent or buy at the next duty station, but there’s so much more to do before signing a contract.

Your very first PCS move (and probably the next couple) is a time when the phrase you don’t know what you don’t know pretty much sums up all the feelings of anxiety and uncertainty. Educated preparation is all you can ask for, but you’ll still likely learn a few things no matter what you do. Even the PCS pros get better and better at gaming the system each time they pack up.

A guide to get started is exactly what you need. What you want is a PCS move checklist peppered with some expert tips to save time, energy, and money.

1. Explore Housing Options

Housing is probably at the top of the worry list during a military move. Not only do buyers and renters have to find a new home, but homeowners need to find a solution for the house they currently own. Since finding a housing solution of any kind is going to take some time to research, it’s a good idea to start the process even before the orders are official.

Military Renters and Homebuyers

Jump online and start networking with your friends and their friends. Military families have expert advice when it comes to your next duty station and real estate. You’ll quickly hear about the best neighborhoods, schools, and communities even before you find a house!

People are passionate about their housing experiences and especially love to share their best-kept secrets. Along the way, keep an ear out for a veteran or military spouse real estate agent. If you make contact, they’ll already have a detailed strategy to help, whether buying or renting.

MilitaryByOwner has dozens of resources to support buyers and renters preparing for a PCS move. Begin with these.

Military Renters:

Military Homebuyers:

Military Homeowners

You’ve got some decisions to make. Although the choices are obvious (you either sell or rent), the factors that go into that decision don't always point to which option is best.

Landlord life is time-consuming and works best as a hands-on relationship. Your tenants need clear guidance in their lease, and you’ll have to find a way to be in contact, even when deployed. Hiring a property manager is an option, as is recruiting your spouse or friend to take over your duties, but counting on DIY landlord life sounds a lot easier than it actually is, especially if it’s a long-distance arrangement.

Home sellers have a different set of obstacles. One may be that a surprise PCS forces a quick home sale, in which case, vetting a reputable real estate agent is vital for preparing your home to sell. Savvy marketing and pro knowledge of the area are two necessary skills they’ll need to have to sell your home for the best price and on your preferred timeline.

Some homeowners might prefer a For Sale By Owner if they have the time. FSBO home sellers have the option to save money on the real estate agent’s commission, but as the owner, you’re in charge of handling every detail of preparing the home for sale. That includes both prepping the house for the market and during the actual selling process. Be ready to search for a team of real estate professionals. Depending on your state’s laws, attorneys and other real estate experts may be required.

Whether you rent or sell your home, you’ve got cleaning and preparing the house ahead of you. From decluttering to staging to compiling a tenant binder, give yourself plenty of time to get the house in order to attract the best renters and buyers.

Military Landlord Resources:

Military Home Seller Resources:

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2. Research Your New Hometown

During your house hunt, you’ll begin to pick up small locational details here and there, especially in property listings and descriptions. Owners often highlight not only the best parts of the house itself but also sought after amenities and location details. "Top-rated school," "quick commute," and "nearby shopping" are all good indicators to check out.

Search Base Information Pages on MilitaryByOwner or check out the Military Base Regional Guides for more information about your particular military installation.

School Options for Military Kids

Securing a quality school option for military kids is one of the most important tasks to conquer.

Finding the best education for your family, whether it's public, private, or homeschooling, is a time-consuming endeavor. Although school stat-gathering sites like Great Schools, Niche, and SchoolDigger are still very popular, more and more parents are turning to their state’s education board/department’s reporting websites to review detailed facts about their chosen schools.

For example, the Virginia Department of Education’s School Quality Profiles is a collection of in-depth information about all the state’s schools and searchable in various ways. Individualized state and school statistics can be more helpful for parents to understand and put into context versus a website filled with parents’ opinions and complaints.

Military Spouse Employment and Education

Military spouse employment poses another unknown to overcome during a military move. Military spouses are largely underemployed, and each move heightens that awareness.

Finding employment after every PCS move is a huge challenge. Military spouses are a resourceful bunch and work hard to find ways around the lack of opportunities. Luckily, now is the best time in history to be a spouse looking to expand career and job options. Reaching out to the multitude of organizations designed to further military spouse professions is the first step.

Not sure where to start? Check out these helpful articles:

3. Overseas PCS Move Planning

What’s more stressful than a PCS move? Why, an OCONUS PCS move, of course! Detailed organization is crucial, particularly if the overseas destination requires a medical screen.

And if you thought that jumping through medical screening hoops and long-term displacement wasn't enough, add a pet into the mix. Because what’s more difficult than an OCONUS PCS? Transporting your pet overseas!

Of course, you’ll want your precious with you across the globe. Pet transport can be a time-consuming, detailed, and expensive process. Securing your pet’s travel arrangements should be a high priority because it's not always easy, especially when navigating seasonal transportation issues. Extreme heat and cold during scheduled flights can complicate the process. Thankfully, there are reimbursement options to help your pet stay with you and to cover travel expenses to a caring provider for the seasons they cannot.

4. Moving with Pets

Moving overseas with a pet is absolute craziness, but even CONUS relocations can still feel like a lot of work. Pet travel in itself is stressful, but so is finding a rental house with owners who appreciate the fact that your pet is clean and quiet. Take a look at:

It’s always been a good idea to have a PCS binder to collect any paperwork and planning notes you've acquired along the way. Some odds and ends are integral additions to your PCS move organization schedule, however. Although they seem like relatively small to-do’s to take care of, they are quite helpful for a smooth PCS process.

Get even more practical help and tips for your military move with our free guide below:

Everything You Need to Know Before Your First PCS Move

Dawn M. Smith