Soldiers and their families are no strangers to the relocation experience.  Did you know that around 1/3 of all service members make a PCS move every year?  Whether you have moved only once during your time in service, or you are facing your third move in five years, no military move is easy.

Between finding a place to stay, registering your vehicles, getting children into new schools, and learning the ropes at a new base, military moves are often stressful and draining.  We hope that the information we have provided will make your transition a little easier on the whole family.

Buying in a Hurry

One of the first questions that comes up when facing a military move is "where are we going to stay?".  If you are fortunate and relocate to a base with no post housing waiting list, and you want to live on base, then your answer is simple.  But for thousands, either because they have no choice or do not want to live on post, the answer is far more complicated.

"Do we rent or buy?"

This is your first tough question.  If you know that your tour of duty is going to be short (1 to 2 years), then you may be better off renting.  But if your tour length is indefinite (and most stateside tours are), then why not take advantage of the great benefits the VA Loan program has to offer?  You are not throwing money away by renting, instead you are investing in property that you can call your own.

"How can we possibly buy a house quickly?"

It can be done.  If you do the following before you even start to house hunt, you will save yourself some very valuable time. Go ahead and get pre-approved for that VA Loan!  While your at it, get at least two months of bank statements together and order a credit report.  Your going to want to make sure your credit report is fine before you get too far into the home buying process. 

You will also need Proof of Employment.  Your mortgage company will need a completed Proof of Employment Request form from your employer.  This should not be too difficult to obtain, especially if you explain that you are trying to purchase a home quickly.

While it can take up to 30 days to receive the last word on your VA Loan status, it can also take as little as one day, so go ahead once you have your documents in order and find that dream home of yours. 

Once the offer has been made, either you or the seller will order and pay for an apprasial of the home.  The time it takes from setting up an appointment to receipt of the appraissal by the VA/FHA/Mortgage company should be somewhere between three and ten days, and no more than three weeks.

After this process is complete, any repairs to the house are made by the seller (if agreed upon), a lawyer works on the title, a closing date is set, insurance is obtained, a loan package is prepared by the mortgage company, utilities are turned on, an attorney prepares an HUD-1 Statement, and a walk-though is completed.  All of this in as little as three to six days.

After a one or two hour closing time, the house is yours.  Congratulations!

"The task of moving in seems so daunting!  I am exhausted just thinking about it."

Moving from one home to another IS exhausting!  Add pets, or children to that equation and it almost seems impossible.  Here are some tips that should make the process less stressful for your household.

1.  Invite family members, friends, or members of social groups you belong in to come out and help unpack!  Oh wait.  Chances are none of those people are available, possibly even hundereds of miles away.  Well, the good news is A) the military will unpack almost everything you own for you AND set it up the way you want it, and B) members of you or your spouses' new unit will probably be willing to help.  Don't be afraid to ask for help.

2.  Since we are talking about the help the military gives you by arranging for the unloading and unpacking of your household goods, do the moving company a favor by being at your house during the scheduled deliver time.  Be helpful by telling them exactly where you want your furniture.  They work hard, provide them with a couple of beverages, and maybe even lunch.  Look at it this way - they will probably finish the job quicker if they don't have to leave your house to get lunch.  Go ahead and plan for them to be at your home for most of the day.  If you have small children and pets, make sure they are not anywhere that they can be hurt or stepped on or tripped over.  You already have enough to do and it's far too early in your move to get to know the staff at the local hospital.

3.  It will probably take a week or two to get services like cable television, phone, and internet.  Are you alright with that?  If not, then you might want to already have those contact numbers handy and start dialing them up as you are driving away from the closing.  If you have to wait, but need internet service, your local library probably has internet access. 

Pack a few of your children's favorite DVD's before you leave your last residence and invest in a portable DVD player.  They are fairly cheap nowadays, and will actually come in handy not just in your new tv less home, but during the LONG trip to your new base. 

Some cellphone companies actually have policies set in place that allow servicemembers out of their contract when they have proof of orders to relocate. 

Getting new cellphone service should only take a day or two, but DO YOUR HOMEWORK.  Make sure that you receive service in your area for your current or prospective provider.  Make sure that they have the contract clause in the previous paragraph, and if they don't, think long and hard before signing with them.

4.  When you receive your written orders, look up the Department of Motor Vehicles for your new state.  Some states require that you act fairly quickly in registering your vehicles.  If you have this information already, you can take care of it as soon as your address is known. 

5. By the way, don't forget to visit your post office to pick up a change of address packet.  If you forward your mail to a reliable address before you move, then make sure that you get your mail directed to your new address once you have it.

6. Do your homework to find out information about area school systems before you move, including key enrollment dates, immunization requirements, school performance assessments, and policies.  Also, it might be worth your time to find out what private school are in the area, and non-traditional programs, such as, Montessori.

Moving can be stressful, but it doesn't have to wear you down.  With a little preparation you will find yourself comfortable in your new home in no time.

Remember, the VA Loan is a benefit that the government gives to service members.  Why not use it?