Ready or not, when Uncle Sam says it's time to hit the road for your next military move. Going through a permanent change of station (PCS) move can be one of the most stressful parts of military life, but Military.com is here to help. From tips and tricks to all the military move and PCS benefits information you need, Military.com's experts know what it's like to move with the military because we've done it, too.
There are three main types of stateside military moves -- moves you do yourself, known as "personally procured moves" (PPM) or do-it-yourself (DITY), relocations you let the military hire movers for, and moves done as a combination of the two, known as a partial-PPM or a partial-DITY. Which option you choose changes how much work you have to do for your move and what kind of expenses are reimbursed when it's all over.
Doing a PPM means you have complete control over your move process, but also have to do a lot of work. Letting the government contract your movers or doing a partial-PPM, where you move some of your own things and are reimbursed accordingly, gives you less control but also potentially brings less stress. If you have received last minute orders you may have to source your own move through a PPM whether you like it or not. And if your spouse is gone when you need to move, letting government-sourced contractors take the whole thing may make the most sense.
Moving overseas? Movers and shippers contracted by the military will pack your items and ship it in crates to your new location. Other portions of your household goods can also be left stateside in storage until you return.
What is a VA Loan?
A VA home loan (also known as a Department of Veterans Affairs home loan) is one of the most useful military benefits. If you qualify, you can buy or build a home, or refinance an existing home mortgage, with as little as $0 down, great rates and financing with no mandated cap. Another benefit over traditional mortgages is that there is no PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance, the monthly insurance fee charged to protect the bank until you reach at least 20% equity).
For most service members and veterans who qualify, a VA loan is one of their most valuable benefits and a no-brainer over other, traditional mortgage types. This section offers an in-depth explanation of the VA loan process and instructions on how to submit an application.
A VA loan makes home-buying more affordable for millions of veterans and active service members.
VA Home Loan Basics
While VA Loans are issued by private lenders they are backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which is why they can be offered oftentimes with little to no down payment and no PMI. Since 1944, the VA has helped over 25 million military men and women purchase homes using the VA loan mortgage program, according to VA statistics.
VA Loan Eligibility
Are you eligible to use a VA loan? If you have served on active duty for at least 90 days or met a variety of other service benchmarks created for Guard and Reserve members, the answer is likely “yes.”
VA Loan Qualifications
Completed at least 90 days of active duty service.
Have at least 6 years of service either in the Reserves or National Guard.
Served at least 181 days of active service during peacetime.
Have 90 cumulative days of active service under Title 10 or Title 32. For Title 32 service, at least 30 of those days must have been consecutive.
You're the spouse of a military service member who either died in the line of duty, or as a result of a service-related disability.
VA Home Loan vs. Conventional Home Loans
VA loans are some of the only loans remaining that offer no down payment. With conventional loans, the buyer is required to provide up to 20% down, which can often make it too difficult to purchase the right type of home for your family. Since with a VA home loan there's no private mortgage insurance, this can save hundreds of dollars a month over conventional loans, depending on how much you borrow. Because the VA loan is backed by the government, the rates are often much better than a conventional loan, which will save you a considerable amount of money over the life of your home loan. Lastly, the VA home loan has a more lenient lending policy, allowing you to qualify for a VA loan when you might not meet all the requirements for a traditional loan.
Types of VA Loans
The VA offers a variety of loan program options, including purchase and refinance mortgages, rehab and renovation loans and energy efficiency mortgages. Here’s an overview of the VA loan options.
VA Purchase Loan Allows qualified service members to buy a home with no minimum down payment.
VA Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL) Replaces current VA mortgage with a VA loan to lower interest rate or to refinance from an adjustable to a fixed rate.
VA Cash-Out Refinance Replaces VA or conventional mortgage with a VA loan. An option to turn home equity to cash.
VA Energy Efficient Mortgage Finances energy efficiency home improvements.
VA Rehab and Renovation Loan Finances the cost of home improvements.
VA Loan Funding Fee and Others Costs
Nearly every VA loan comes with a VA Funding Fee. This fee goes directly to the Department of Veterans Affairs and helps back the VA loans of the future. Not everyone has to pay the fee, such as military men and women with a service-related disability. Fees range from a little over 2% for first-time VA loan recipients, to 3.3% for repeat home buyers. The good news is you can roll this fee into your loan amount.
In addition, closing costs are less, and often the seller can pay these costs, too.
VA Loan Limits
In the past, the VA capped the amount of money available for a VA home loan. But as of 2020, the VA no longer mandates loan limits. That means you can buy the home you need through your VA home loan benefit.
How Much Can I Qualify for on a VA Home Loan?
The amount you can qualify for varies depending on a number of factors. One of the biggest factors is your debt ratio. It helps to determine the amount you can afford to pay each month.
Take the Next Step
If you're ready to move forward, or just want more information, the first step is to get no-obligation rate quotes. We can set you up with a lender for more answers. Click here to get more finance information about a VA Loan
What is a VA Loan?
6 Tips on Talking to Your Spouse Before Deployment
The type of communication you have with your service member today will serve as the building blocks for the communication you practice while your service member is deployed and when he returns.
"I communicate with my spouse before he departs on what we both expect during deployment relating to our children, our home and our command. While I am not thrilled he has to leave us once again, I never run from a deployment—I prepare myself and our children." - Navy spouse
1. Hash Things Out Now
This is a good time to sit down together and discuss what each of you expects of -- and hopes for -- the deployment. A good communication plan will help align expectations and lessen miscommunications during the deployment.
"I try to make sure things are in order just as the Army does. I have discussions with my husband about how we both envision the deployment going, and how we plan on communicating and keeping connected."
- Army spouse
2. Discuss how you would like each other to behave while you're apart.
For example, is your service member comfortable with you going out to dance with your friends? If yes, how often? If no, why not? In turn, perhaps you would like your service member to commit to communicating as regularly as possible (and, in what form? Phone calls? Email? Written letters? Facebook messages?). Do you want your service member to call you the moment he is in port or on a break or would you understand if he waited until later?
3. Determine how much your service member wants to know about what's going on back home.
Some service members don't want to hear about the frustrations of daily life because there is nothing they can do to fix things. Others want to know about the little details they're missing because it helps them feel close to their loved ones. Either choice is okay but it has to be a choice made together.
4. Decide on the type and frequency of communication your service member would like you to have with his family and friends.
You will also want to come to an understanding of what an "emergency" is for both of you. Decide now how much you want to know about what is happening to the other while you're apart, and when it would be essential to inform the other person of an event or incident.
5. Exchange ideas about how you'll spend (or save) extra money.
Since your service member may earn extra money from being deployed to a combat zone, you’ll want to have a plan on what to do with it. Likewise, who will be responsible for handling the money, doing the taxes, and paying the bills?
6. Nothing is off the table at this point.
If there's something in your relationship that needs to be discussed, now's the time to talk it out. It's much easier to address these issues when you're still together as opposed to trying to detail them out once your service member is away. A sensitive, yet vital, discussion point is the decision you make on how you'd like to be notified in the event of a serious injury or death of your service member. Commands deal with this delicate topic differently, so it is important to discuss with your service member so that you can both be prepared.
"Of course I am always afraid of losing my sailor. You have to arm yourself before deployment. Sit down with each other and come up with a plan if the worst happens. Make sure you have everything in line, like power of attorney and wills. Make sure you have a support line of family and friends that would be willing to step in and help if the worst happened. You have to plan for the worst and pray for the best."
—Navy spouse
6 Tips on talking to your spouse before Deployment
Deployment: Financial Preparation
Being financially prepared is a big part of overall Family Readiness. There are unexpected exercises, schools, training, and other temporary assignments that not only changes your military pay but may interfere with your civilian employment pay. Being mobilized can also present unique financial challenges. Here are some basic guidelines that should be considered prior to mobilization.
Soldiers and Sailors' Civil Relief Act (SSCRA):
Although all service members receive some protections under the SSCRA, additional protections are available to reserve components called to active duty. Make sure you learn everything there is to know about this act. Under it, you could qualify for:
Reduced interest rate on mortgage payments.
Reduced interest rate on credit card debt.
Protection from eviction if your rent is $2,400 or less.
Delay of all civil court actions, such as bankruptcy, foreclosure or divorce proceedings.
Note that most of the protections SCRA offers are good only during your duration of your active duty assignment. For more on SCRA, see the Service members Civil Relief Act Overview, or contact your unit or installation legal assistance office.
Direct Deposit: Direct deposit is the quickest and the most convenient way to receive your pay check. Plan for a week or two after you initiate direct deposit for it to be activated. The service member can be deployed to any part of the world, but having direct deposit will enable both the service member and family members to have easier access and more control of their funds. Check with your bank or credit union.
Financial Bills: Service members are responsible for their household expenses/bills while they are deployed. These expenses could include rent, mortgage payments, car payments, credit cards, etc. Before deploying you should ensure that you have made arrangements for these payments to be taken care of. You may wish to appoint your spouse or family member with power of attorney, so that they can handle your finances while you are deployed. For more, see the Legal Preparation section.
Income Tax: If you will be deployed when your taxes are due, decide in advance how income taxes will be filed and who will do it. You may wish to file for an extension through the Internal Revenue Service by filing Form 2350: Application for Extension of Time to File U.S. Income Tax Return. For more on military taxes, see the Tax Center.
Allotments: An allotment is a portion of your pay that is automatically set aside each month for an individual, a mutual fund, creditors, etc. In the event of a deployment, a couple may choose to open a second checking account and set up an allotment for the service member. This is an easy and convenient way to make sure that both the service member and the family receive funds on a regular basis.
Leave and Earnings Statement (LES): Each month, the service member will receive a LES showing their pay for the preceding month and any changes that will affect their pay for the current month. The LES will also show pay for special assignments; allowances for food, housing, and clothing; leave earned and used; and what deductions were taken out of their pay for established allotments, insurance, and taxes. Also included is drill and retirement information. Units will often offer a class on reading an LES for both the service member and spouse prior to a long-term deployment. For more information on Leave and Earnings Statements, click here.
Deployment: Financial Preparation
5 Things to Do When You Get PCS Orders
You've received your Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, and after the panic subsides, you know you’ll need to get yourself and your family organized for the relocation process. So what's your next move? Once you have your PCS orders in hand, make sure to take the following steps:
1. Set up a meeting with your base transportation office. Depending on your service branch, the name of the government office that handles your relocation varies:
The Department of Defense: Joint Personal Property Shipping Office.
Air Force: Traffic Management Office.
Army: Installation Transportation Office.
Navy and Marine Corps: Personal Property Shipping Office.
Coast Guard: Household Goods Shipping Office.
Make sure you make an appointment with your office as early as possible. At your meeting, make sure you find out about all the moving options available to you, including a DITY move, and start making preliminary arrangements for your move.
2. Contact the family center at your new location. Family centers offer relocation assistance programs that provide moving information to you and your family. Ask questions, and learn about your new community and what it offers.
3. If you're living in government quarters, notify the housing office of your projected move date. Make sure you also know all the regulations about cleaning your home before you move out.
4. Make an appointment with your finance office at your current installation. Making a move will be a drain on your bank account. The finance office can give you the lowdown on your options, as well as relocation benefits that you’re eligible for.
5. Use Military.com’s PCS Guide and Moving Checklist to help plan your move. In making preparations for a move, it's easy to be bogged down with all the details and things to do. Military.com can help you stay on top of it all with this handy checklist, which covers everything from packing to setting up in your new location. These ready-to-print lists will remind you what you need to do.
5 Things to do when you get PCS Orders
Tips for a Smooth PCS Move
Each year, about 225,000 Department of Defense and U.S. Coast Guard household good shipments are slated for movement during the summer months. These shipments compete with private sector moves creating a phenomenon in the transportation industry called the "peak moving season."
Peak moving season runs May through August each year with the peak of the peak between Memorial Day and July 4.
Military move officials wants federal employees and their families to know a smooth move for household goods is possible during peak moving season with proper planning and attention to detail.
"As soon as you receive your permanent change of station orders, you should start your move process," said John Johnson, who helps manage military moves for the DoD. "Requesting your pickup and delivery dates as soon as possible will ensure a better chance of getting the dates you want."
All DoD service members and civilians, including their families, have two avenues to manage their move based on local policies.
The first is the traditional visit to the local installation transportation office or personal property shipping office to receive a relocation briefing and start the move process.
The alternative is to use the Defense Personal Property System, or DPS, which is accessed through the website, www.move.mil. This website is the portal for DPS and the one-stop shop where members can completely manage their move process.
Members using move.mil for the first time will find online training videos and presentations explaining how to navigate through the move process.
DoD provided moving tips: - Create a personal moving calendar with checklists, phone numbers and links to critical moving processes and information
- Your Transportation Office (TO) or Personal Property Shipping Office (PPSO) is the primary point of contact for customer service. It is never too early to ask questions.
- Once you get your orders and know the dates you want to move, immediately start the moving process. Contact your TO/PPSO to learn all options available to you, including a Personally Procured Move. The sooner you start the better chance you have to lock in your preferred move date.
- Moving in the summer months (May through August) is extremely busy with Memorial Day to July 4 being the busiest moving time of the year. Since requested pickup and delivery dates may not be available during this time, flexibility is important and building extra time into your schedule for unforeseen circumstances is recommended.
- Once your move dates are requested, don't assume they are set. Move dates are not confirmed until you coordinate with your Transportation Service Provider (the company contracted to do your move).
- Pack, pickup and delivery dates are usually scheduled on weekdays. You or your designated representative must be available between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. You don't want to miss your move dates as this will cause unnecessary hardship on everyone and possibly extra expenses for you.
- Have a good estimated weight of your personal property. A quick method for estimating your weight is to calculate 1,000 pounds per room. A more accurate estimate can be made using the weight estimator found at move.mil (DOD Service Members and Federal Civilians (DOD) Tab > Weight Allowance Tab > Weight Estimator Tab. Keep in mind this is only an estimate and each individual shipment will vary.
- Moving is a good time to dispose of unnecessary items. This will help you avoid excess weight charges if your shipment is close to the authorized weight allowance. You don't want to ship and pay for something you don't want.
- You can request a reweigh of your personal property shipment at no cost to you. This is done when you are near or over your weight allowance.
- If you are making more than one shipment, make sure you clearly separate them at your residence. Packing and loading for multiple shipments should be scheduled on separate days to avoid confusion. You want the right items going to the right destination.
- Move.mil places you in direct contact with your moving company to manage the movement of your personal property. It is extremely important to keep your contact information (phone number and e-mail address) updated in move.mil.
- If you have a delivery address for your personal property and want direct delivery, it is important to work closely with your moving company to arrange delivery and avoid your personal property being placed in temporary storage
- You can find the "It's Your Move," "Shipping Your Privately Owned Vehicle" and "Storing Your POV" pamphlets on the move.mil website. These pamphlets provide explanations on responsibilities for personal property and POV shipments and are a great source for additional moving tips to help you prepare for the move.
No Matter Where Your Next PCS Takes You The Greg Silva Real Estate Team is here to help!
Tips for a Smooth PCS Move
6 Deals to Remember When PCSing
When it comes to the military move, there are certain truths we all know. Moving dates are subject to change. Something you love will get broken. Babies don’t sleep well in hotel rooms. And you’re going to have some out-of-pocket expenses.
But you can find all sorts of deals to help lessen some of those pesky PCS expenses. Here are 6 deals to look into before, during and after your PCS move:
1. Storage
Are you planning a Do-It-Yourself or Personally Procured Move (PPM)? Do you need to stash some of your stuff in storage? Before you store, remember to use the military discounts available from companies like PODS Moving and Storage, CubeSmart, Oz Moving & Storage and SMARTBOX. Local storage facilities near you may offer discounts for military so make sure you ask wherever you go.
2. Transportation
If a DITY move is in your future, you're probably going to need to rent a moving truck as well. Penske and Budget Truck Rental offer military discounts on truck rentals to get you and your belongings where your orders take you.
3. Organization
Whether you're trying to set aside the personal items you don't want the movers to pack or you're attempting to figure out how to make the most of the space in the world's smallest closet, PCS moves go so much more smoothly when you're organized.
It's also essential to keep important documents such as copies of military orders, birth certificates, powers of attorney and packing checklists organized before, during and after your move. Store them all in one place by creating a PCS binder as soon as you start the moving process.
Stores like Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft and Michaels have military discounts that can help with any organizational needs you might have.
4. Home Décor
Whether you sold some of your belongings so you would have less stuff to move, you're upgrading to a larger house, or your PCS is just a good excuse to redecorate, you're probably going to be shopping for items to decorate your new home. Whatever you're looking for, there's likely a military discount to help you out, including Costco, Home Depot, Lowe's, Kirkland's and Blinds Chalet.
5. Home Improvement
Unless you live in a perfect world where grass doesn't grow, pictures hang themselves and appliances don't break, you're bound to face some home improvement tasks when you reach your final destination. Both Home Depot and Lowe's offer a year-round military discount to help you either spruce up the house you're trying to sell or turn your new house into a home.
6. Homeowners or Renters Insurance
Don't forget to look into homeowners or renters insurance to keep your home and personal property protected.
6 Deals to remember when PCSing
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