Home-Selling Guide for Active Military Members PCSing: Top 5 Mistakes to Avoid

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders can be exciting and stressful for active military members. When it comes to selling your home in preparation for a PCS, there are specific challenges and pitfalls that, if not navigated carefully, can complicate the process. This guide aims to help you avoid the five most critical mistakes when selling your home due to PCS orders.

1. Failing to Plan for the Time-Sensitive Nature of a PCS

PCS orders often come with tight timelines, making it crucial to act swiftly and efficiently in selling your home.

Mistake to Avoid: Underestimating the time it takes to prepare, list, and market your home, which can lead to rushed decisions or accepting a lower sale price out of necessity.

Solution: As soon as you receive your PCS orders, start preparing your home for sale. Consider working with a real estate agent who has experience with military relocations and understands the urgency and specific needs associated with a PCS move.

2. Overpricing Your Home

Setting the right price for your home is critical, especially when you're on a PCS timeline.

Mistake to Avoid: Pricing your home too high in hopes of maximizing profit can lead to prolonged market time and potentially missing your PCS move date.

Solution: Price your home competitively based on a comprehensive market analysis. An experienced real estate agent can help you understand the current market dynamics and set a price that attracts buyers quickly while ensuring you get fair value.

3. Not Utilizing Military-Friendly Real Estate Professionals

The unique circumstances of a military move require specialized knowledge.

Mistake to Avoid: Choosing a real estate agent or lender who lacks experience with the intricacies of military relocations can result in missed opportunities for military-specific benefits or misunderstanding the urgency of your timeline.

Solution: Select a real estate agent and lender familiar with military moves and benefits, such as VA loans and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA), to ensure they can navigate the PCS process effectively and leverage all available resources.

4. Neglecting Home Preparation and Staging

First impressions are everything, and this holds for selling your home.

Mistake to Avoid: Skipping or skimping on home preparation and staging, thinking it's not worth the investment or time given your PCS schedule.

Solution: Invest the time and effort to declutter, clean, make minor repairs, and stage your home to appeal to potential buyers. A well-presented home can sell faster and for a higher price. If time and resources are limited, focus on high-impact areas like curb appeal, the kitchen, and bathrooms.

5. Ignoring the Potential of Remote Selling Strategies

In today’s digital age, technology offers solutions that can be particularly beneficial for active military members facing a PCS.

Mistake to Avoid: Overlooking the potential of digital and remote selling tools can limit your ability to manage the sale from a distance.

Solution: Leverage technology for virtual tours, digital document signing, and online marketing. Ensure your real estate agent is equipped to handle remote selling scenarios, which can be invaluable if you relocate before your home sells.

Conclusion

Selling your home due to PCS orders doesn't have to be an overwhelming process. Avoiding these common mistakes can facilitate a smoother transition to your new duty station. Planning, choosing the right price, working with military-friendly professionals, preparing your home for sale, and embracing remote selling strategies are key steps to a successful home sale. Remember, leveraging the resources and support systems available to military members can make all the difference in achieving a quick and profitable home sale.