PCS Moving Checklist for Military Families
Selling Your Home & Moving With Confidence
A Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move comes with deadlines, logistics, and big life transitions.
This printable checklist helps military families stay organized while selling their home, moving with kids
and pets, and preparing for their next duty station.
60–90 Days Before PCS (Planning Phase)
• Review PCS orders and reporting date.
• Meet with a PCS-experienced real estate agent.
• Determine listing timeline and pricing strategy.
• Review mortgage payoff and estimated selling costs.
• Discuss VA loan eligibility restoration or assumptions.
• Begin decluttering and packing non-essential items.
30–60 Days Before Listing
• Deep clean the home and complete minor repairs.
• Improve curb appeal with simple exterior updates.
• Schedule Household Goods shipment (TMO/DPS).
• Decide what travels with you vs. movers.
• Update pet vaccinations and gather vet records.
• Request school or homeschool records for children
Listing & Showing Period
• Keep home clean and clutter-free for showings.
• Store pet items discreetly during visits.
• Secure valuables and important documents.
• Maintain flexible showing availability.
• Set up remote communication if you PCS before closing.
• Arrange lawn care and property maintenance if vacant.
2–3 Weeks Before Moving
• Submit change of address through USPS.
• Transfer or cancel utilities.
• Update insurance policies and subscriptions.
• Prepare important document folder (orders, IDs, records).
• Confirm travel plans and pet-friendly accommodations.
• Pack travel essentials for kids and pets.
Closing While PCSing
• Review documents electronically.
• Arrange mobile or remote notary if needed.
• Confirm secure wiring instructions.
• Stay in communication with your agent throughout closing.
After Arrival at Your New Duty Station
• Confirm sale closing and receipt of funds.
• Update driver’s license and vehicle registration.
• Register kids for school or local homeschool groups.
• Locate nearby vets, doctors, and community resources.
• Take time to explore and settle into your new community.
PCS Pro Tips
• Start preparation earlier than expected — military timelines move fast.
• Declutter before movers arrive to reduce stress.
• Flexible timelines can attract stronger buyers.
• Work with a military-experienced agent for smoother remote selling.
Copyright 2026 Triad MLS, Inc. All rights reserved. IDX information is provided exclusively for personal, non-commercial use, and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed. This site will be monitored for ‘scraping’ and any use of search facilities of data on the site other than by potential buyers/sellers is prohibited. All Sale data is for informational purposes only and is not an indication of a market analysis or appraisal. Properties marked with the Triad MLS, Inc. icon are provided courtesy of the Triad MLS, Inc.’s, Internet Data Exchange Database.
Listings marked with a Doorify MLS icon are provided courtesy of the Doorify MLS, of North Carolina, Internet Data Exchange Database. Brokers make an effort to deliver accurate information, but buyers should independently verify any information on which they will rely in a transaction. The listing broker shall not be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, or misprints, and they shall be held totally harmless from any damages arising from reliance upon this data. This data is provided exclusively for consumers’ personal, non-commercial use. Copyright 2024 Doorify MLS of North Carolina. All rights reserved.
Listings courtesy of Canopy MLS as distributed by MLS GRID.
Based on information submitted to the MLS GRID as of October 9 All data is obtained from various sources and may not have been verified by broker or MLS GRID. Supplied Open House Information is subject to change without notice. All information should be independently reviewed and verified for accuracy. Properties may or may not be listed by the office/agent presenting the information.
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998, 17 U.S.C. § 512 (the “DMCA”) provides recourse for copyright owners who believe that material appearing on the Internet infringes their rights under U.S. copyright law. If you believe in good faith that any content or material made available in connection with our website or services infringes your copyright, you (or your agent) may send us a notice requesting that the content or material be removed, or access to it blocked. Notices must be sent in writing by email to DMCAnotice@MLSGrid.com.
“The DMCA requires that your notice of alleged copyright infringement include the following information: (1) description of the copyrighted work that is the subject of claimed infringement; (2) description of the alleged infringing content and information sufficient to permit us to locate the content; (3) contact information for you, including your address, telephone number and email address; (4) a statement by you that you have a good faith belief that the content in the manner complained of is not authorized by the copyright owner, or its agent, or by the operation of any law; (5) a statement by you, signed under penalty of perjury, that the information in the notification is accurate and that you have the authority to enforce the copyrights that are claimed to be infringed; and (6) a physical or electronic signature of the copyright owner or a person authorized to act on the copyright owner’s behalf. Failure to include all of the above information may result in the delay of the processing of your complaint.
