|
|
|
|
For many military families, it's relocation time again. Yet for many military families they will spend too much time enjoying the season and it’s activities while failing to set aside enough time performing some basic planning. A little preplanning will help you avoid many potential financial pitfalls of a PCS (Permanent Change of Station).
For a PCS successful move, you have three choices how to transport your household goods: commercial movers hired by the military, a DITY (do-it-yourself) move, or a partial DITY move (a combination). The military will pay for your move based on the estimated weight of your household items, not to exceed the weight allowance determined by your pay grade.
We recommend you talk to a counselor at the personal property office or transportation office to help determine whether a commercial or DITY move, or some combination, is best for you. When planning for expenses such as a one-way rental truck and storage combination until your new housing is ready, a DITY move may not prove as smart or as profitable as you might expect.
Because of our prior experience helping other military families PCS, we recommend you use this master relocation checklist as you prepare your move:
12 weeks to go:
- Upon receipt of your orders, contact your personal property office and schedule a counseling session to submit all paperwork.
- Create a file to track moving and house-hunting expenses. Whatever is not covered by allowances is tax deductible. (We recommend you consult with a tax expert for a complete review of your PSC related deductions.)
- Identify your "sponsorat your new command so you know whom to speak with for questions.
- Begin researching housing and kids' schools in your new city. Search for childcare. If you own your home and wish to sell, contact us for Realtor references to place it on the market.
- Prepare your home for the market and interview several Realtors (Contact us!)
11 weeks to go:
- Compile an inventory of household possessions and valuables, including photos and serial numbers. If you have a video camera, videotape your household items.
- Meet with your counselor to submit paperwork and provide an estimated weight of all household goods. If you exceed the weight allowance, get an estimate from your movers and start saving now to pay for the extra amount.
10 weeks to go:
- Secure your moving dates from the personal property office.
- Call movers to schedule a pre-move meeting.
- If you have decided on a DITY move, reserve a rental truck.
- Meet with a counselor to obtain an estimate of how much dislocation and travel allowances you will receive.
- Develop your PCS budget and a timeline for travel.
9 weeks to go:
- Spouses, update your resume!
- Start your job search now.
- Review family records and make sure all records are up-to-date (legal, medical, insurance, birth certificates) and set them aside in a group.
- Arrange medical checkups, if needed, and obtain copies of medical records.
- Notify homeowners', renters' and auto insurance of your address change and make sure you are covered in transit.
- Check to see if your bank is located in your new hometown or sign up for a national bank.
8 weeks to go:
- Clean out your closets and garage. Hold a yard sale or donate items for the tax deduction.
- Plan a house-hunting trip NOW!
- Make reservations for air travel now if you are traveling by a commercial air carrier.
7 weeks to go:
- Check school schedules and transfer your children's records.
- Have fun planning your travel; turn it into an adventure!
6 weeks to go:
- Take pets to the vet and obtain health certifications and medical records.
- Determine if the state you are relocating to require a quarantine for your pets!
- Give one month's notice to your employer and get a letter of referral.
- Use the remaining two weeks to plan your move.
5 weeks to go:
- This is the drop-dead date for obtaining housing at your new home.
- If happen to be renting, notify your current landlord as required by your lease.
- Discuss a time to review your home and get a refund of your security deposit.
4 weeks to go:
- Obtain a change of address kit from the post office.
- Send change of address cards to family, friends, creditors, magazine subscriptions, cancel your newspaper subscription, etc.
3 weeks to go:
- Contact utility companies to cut off service and obtain letters of referral.
- Notify them of your forwarding address to pay final bills and get refunds of any security deposits.
- Secure a list of utilities in new hometown from your us or your landlord if you are renting and contact them to set up service.
2 weeks to go:
- Make reservations for overnight stays during your last night in town and, if appropriate, for your travel.
- If you plan to drive, have your car serviced. If shipping your car, have it picked up.
1 week to go:
- Notify credit card companies of your address change.
- You will need to use the new address when verifying any purchases.
Here is the good news, the military is required to pay for moving your family and household goods - and that's a great perk! With a little preplanning and preparation, your families military move will be a positive experience and far less stressful.
We have helped hundreds of military families just like yours relocate to the greater Fort Campbell area and we will help your family successfully relocate this area too! Contact us today if you need any assistance buying your next home in the Montgomery County, Clarksville, TN or Ft Campbell, KY area.
If you are a member of the 101st Airborne, 5th Special Forces or 160th SOAR and you are relocating to Fort Campbell as a result of a Permanent Change of Station (PCS), may we recommend the greater Clarksville , Montgomery County area for your next home purchase. There are many benefits to relocating to the Clarksville , TN – Montgomery County area. Military families on the move consider this easy-to-use website as their ultimate online homebuying resource and so should you. We are proud to support the members of the 101st Airborne Division, 5th Special Forces and 169th SOAR of the United States Army.
Safe & Secure
Offering members of the military a short, easy commute to Fort Campbell , the Clarksville area is a safe environment for military families. Of course every family wants to insure their children have access to superior schools and outstanding recreational opportunities. It’s all here including the nearby Land Between The Lakes (LBL). Kids of all ages will enjoy fishing, boating and camping opportunities on this 100,000-acre lake along the Tennessee , Kentucky border. In addition, military families select the Clarksville/Montgomery County area for it’s pastoral setting and affordable - superior quality of life.
Big City Amenities A Short Drive Away
Located just 45 miles north of the " Music City " ( Nashville Tennessee ), Clarksville is close enough to the big city amenities every military family wants including entertainment venues at the Grand Old Opry, the Nashville Superspeedway and the NFL Tennessee Titans. Combined with the local attractions here in Clarksville like the Cumberland RiverWalk and the L&N Train Station, this area remains a desirable choice for military families like yours.
TheVaughnTeam.com – Your Official Military Homebuying Resource!
As your Official Military Homebuying Website for the greater Clarksville/Montgomery County area, we recommend you consider this resource as your online information portal for homes available in local MLS. The wonderful amenities available in the Clarksville area makes it an ideal place to live, work, learn and play. Welcome to Fort Campbell and the greater Clarksville , TN area!
Contact us today for all your homebuying needs!
Everyday here at the Vaughn Team, we regularly receive questions from military families relocating to Fort Campbell, KY and they ask: “Our family is relocating to Fort Campbell soon and we could use some house-hunting tips to locate that perfect home for our family?” Below are several helpful house-hunting tips to make finding your Fort Campbell home easier and less stressful. Remember, as a military family making a Permanent Change of Station (PCS), you have unique homebuying and relocation needs. You should only trust Realtors who have experience working with military families. Here at the Vaughn Team, working with military families is our specialty!
Before You Make a Move - Get Pre-approved
Too many military families start house hunting before they know what price range is best for their financial needs. We recommend you get pre-approved for the mortgage you'll need to buy your ultimate Fort Campbell dream home. The pre-approval process is painless and includes completing a loan application and a simple credit check. If you don’t have a relationship with a lender, our team would be happy to suggest several trusted lenders who will help you through this process.
With numerous mortgage products and mortgage companies competing for your business, we recommend you select a lender you feel comfortable working with. They will take the time to explain the pros and cons of the various mortgage options in words you understand. Because of our past experience in the mortgage industry, we will insure you understand the mortgage process completely.
Need to get pre-qualified? Contact us today!
Take Advantages of Securing a VA Guaranteed Loan
As a member of the military, there are numerous advantages to securing a VA mortgage. With a Veterans Administration loan, you can be guaranteed a home loan with no money down, in some cases up to $417,000. With a VA guaranteed loan, you also avoid private mortgage insurance (PMI), which could offer you a substantial savings on your monthly payment.
Make a Strong Offer With a Letter of Pre-Approval
Pre-approval will make a big difference in your negotiations with the seller. When sellers receive multiple offers, buyers who include a pre-approval letter from the lender and verification of the buyers' funds for the down payment and closing costs, often make for a stronger, more compelling offer.
Protecting Your Interest
As your buyer’s agent, our goal is to protect your interest. As the Fort Campbell real estate experts, you will benefit from our experience, attention to detail and ability to negotiate on your behalf. We will be there for you during every phase of the homebuying process.
Your Wish List
It's helpful to prepare a wish list of all the features you want and the features you MUST have in a home. We would be happy to perform a complete homebuying needs analysis to determine what you WANT in a home versus what you NEED in a home. We will review your list and let you know if it is realistic. As a homebuyer, we recommend you be prepared to compromise based on your wants and needs. You should determine which features on your list are must-haves (need) and which ones you can live without (wants).
Let’s Get Started!
Now you're ready to begin your Fort Campbell home search. The length of time your search takes will depend on what you're looking for and whether the ultimate home that meets your needs is readily available. Because our team continuously monitors the Fort Campbell , Clarksville and Montgomery County , TN real estate market conditions, we will advise you every step of the way from offer to closing. Let’s get started!
Do you need assistance relocating to Fort Campbell ? Contact the Vaughn Team Today! |
|
|
|
|
|