PCS Housing Guide



Got orders and trying to figure out where you’re going to live? Start with two decisions. Will you buy or rent at your next duty station? And if you already own a home, will you sell it or keep it as a rental?

I’m Gary Bourgeois. I spent 23 years in the Army National Guard, and today I help military families work through the housing numbers before they commit to a move.

Jump to: Housing allowance | Buyer roadmap | Seller roadmap

Look up your housing allowance

Use the Defense Travel Management Office’s Basic Allowance for Housing lookup. Have your new duty-station ZIP code, pay grade, and dependent status handy. Use the result as one input in your housing budget.

Look up your BAH

Buyer roadmap: Should we buy or rent at the next duty station?

  1. Write down your dates. Start with your report date, your target move date, and how long you expect to stay.
  2. Compare the same area. Put monthly rent next to the estimated cost of owning, including taxes, insurance, any HOA dues, and a maintenance budget. Compare what you’d need upfront for each option.
  3. Run a shorter timeline. If you get orders sooner than expected, what would it cost to sell or move out? Would the numbers still work?
  4. Talk to your lender before you tour. If you’re keeping your current home, tell your lender about the payment and any VA loan on it.
  5. Plan the move with your agent. Discuss virtual tours, inspections, and how you’ll handle closing if you’re still out of state.

Read more: Can you have two VA loans at the same time?

Seller roadmap: Should we sell or rent out the current home?

  1. Ask for a preliminary sale estimate. Tell a local real estate agent you’re moving on orders and deciding whether to sell or rent out the home. Ask for a likely sale price range and, if available, a seller net sheet showing what you might walk away with after your mortgage payoff and selling costs.
  2. Ask for a preliminary rental estimate. Give a local property manager the address, basic details, and expected move-out date. Ask what similar homes rent for and what they charge to find a tenant and manage the property. Ask what they can estimate upfront and whether a walkthrough or detailed analysis carries a fee.
  3. Build in a cushion. Set aside money for repairs, vacancies, and the time it might take to find a tenant.
  4. Check how the old house affects the next one. Ask your lender what they’ll need to review if you carry the current mortgage into your next purchase.
  5. Make a plan for move-out day. Decide who will handle keys, repairs, and showings if you leave before the sale or lease is complete.

Read more: Can you buy before selling your current home in North Texas?

Let’s talk through your PCS housing plan

Tell me where you’re headed, when you need to be there, and what you’re thinking about doing with your current home. We’ll talk through the numbers and what to check before you make a decision.

Email Gary about your PCS move or call 318-840-1221.

Gary Bourgeois · NMLS #2074070
Valor Mortgage Group powered by Barrett Financial Group

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