How to Buy a Home When You've Received a PCS

Getting your Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders to the DMV is a thrilling milestone. The area is a fantastic place for military families to live, work, and thrive. But if you are planning to purchase a home here, the logistics of coordinating a real estate transaction while simultaneously packing up your entire life can feel overwhelming.

While a lot of advice focuses on what to do if you can take a house-hunting trip, the reality is that many military families simply don’t have the time or ability to visit beforehand.

If you are navigating a PCS and need to secure a home from afar, you need a highly strategic approach. Here is how to successfully buy a home in the Alexandria and Metro DC area when you receive your orders.

1. Focus on Resale Value for a Short Tour

Many service members hesitate to buy a home if they know they will only be stationed in the area for three or four years. However, the DMV is a unique micro-market.

Because there is a constant influx of military, government, and contractor personnel moving in and out of the region, homes here historically hold strong resale value. Buying a home allows you to use your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) to build your own wealth through home equity. We help our military clients specifically target neighborhoods and properties that offer the highest resale potential when it is time for your next PCS, turning your temporary home into a powerful financial asset.

And when the time comes to sell your home, we have you covered there, too! Find out how The Goodhart Group helps military families sell their homes.

2. Win with a VA Loan in a Competitive Market

The VA loan is one of the most powerful, hard-earned benefits you have, offering 0% down payment options and competitive interest rates. However, in a fast-paced market, some sellers mistakenly believe VA offers are “weaker” due to strict appraisal rules.

You need an agent who knows how to fiercely advocate for your financing. We know exactly how to package your VA offer, educate listing agents on the strength of your pre-approval, and proactively address any potential appraisal hurdles so your offer stands out against conventional buyers.

3. Master the “Sight Unseen” Purchase

If you cannot make it to Alexandria before your report date, you will likely be buying your home “sight unseen.” This requires an immense amount of trust in your real estate team.

We act as your boots on the ground, conducting exhaustive, hyper-detailed FaceTime or video walkthroughs. We don’t just show you the beautiful updated kitchen; we act as your physical senses. We will tell you if the basement smells damp, if the neighbor’s yard is messy, or if the street noise is too loud. Our goal is to ensure there are zero surprises when you finally walk through the front door.

Learn more about the unique DMV real estate market and what it’s really like to buy a home here with these posts next:

4. Coordinate Closing with Your HHG Shipment

Timing the closing of your new home with the arrival of your Household Goods (HHG) is a delicate dance. If your closing is delayed by even a few days, it can throw off your entire military move schedule and leave you living out of suitcases in a Temporary Lodging Facility (TLF) or hotel.

We work meticulously to build a reverse-engineered timeline that prioritizes a seamless transition. We coordinate with lenders and title companies who are experienced with military timelines to ensure your closing happens right on schedule, giving you the keys exactly when your moving truck is ready to unload.

Planning a relocation doesn’t have to be stressful. Download our relocation guide for a closer look at the process from start to finish.

5. Establish Your Specific Power of Attorney (POA) Early

Military timelines are notoriously unpredictable. It is incredibly common for the active-duty service member to be deployed, in transit, or attending training on the exact day the home officially closes.

If you suspect you might not be physically present to sign the closing documents, you must establish a Specific Power of Attorney (POA) as early as possible. A general military POA often will not be accepted by title companies or lenders. We help you connect with local title attorneys early in the process to ensure your specific POA is drafted, lender-approved, and notarized well in advance, guaranteeing a flawless remote closing.

Let Us Welcome You to the DMV

A PCS move is a massive undertaking, but securing your new home shouldn’t be the hardest part. It is an absolute honor for us to serve the military families moving into our area, and we are here to handle the heavy lifting of your real estate transaction so you can focus on your next assignment.