The PCS Home Buying Checklist

From orders in hand to keys in hand. Here's the timeline military families actually use to buy a home during a PCS — without paying for two households or scrambling for temporary lodging.

📋 Orders in Hand (Day 1)

Read the PCS guide for your new state — taxes, veteran benefits, housing markets, school districts.
Estimate your new housing allowance with the BAH calculator.
Decide: buy, rent, or live on post? If buying, start now — the earlier the pre-approval, the smoother the close.
Request your Certificate of Eligibility (or let your lender pull it).
Get pre-approved with a VA loan specialist who works PCS timelines — call (719) 259-2246.

🏘️ 90 Days Out

Narrow down neighborhoods by commute, schools, and BAH fit.
Connect with a military-friendly real estate agent near your new installation.
Schedule a house-hunting trip (many commands authorize permissive TDY for this).
Tour homes in person or by video walkthrough if a trip isn't possible.
If you own at your current station, decide whether to sell or keep it as a rental — remember, VA entitlement can support two loans at once.

✍️ 60 Days Out

Make an offer and go under contract with a closing date near your report date.
Complete the VA appraisal and a home inspection.
Lock your interest rate with your lender.
Schedule your household goods shipment with the transportation office.

📦 30 Days Out

Clear underwriting conditions quickly — respond to document requests same-day.
Set up utilities, insurance, and mail forwarding for the new address.
Get your homeowners insurance policy bound before closing.
Do the final walkthrough (in person or via your agent).

🇺🇸 Arrival & Closing

Close on your home — many families close within days of signing in at the new unit.
Update DEERS, finance, and your state of legal residence if it changed.
File for any property tax exemptions your new state offers veterans (details in each state guide).
Unpack. You're home.

Pro tip: If your timeline is compressed, closings can happen with a power of attorney or remote online notarization in many states — your lender and agent can coordinate a close even if you're mid-transit on report day.

Orders just dropped?

Start step one today. A pre-approval costs nothing and makes every step after it easier.

Call (719) 259-2246