Colorado Springs Military Relocation Specialists

FREE RELOCATION GUIDE

“Homeownership remains at the heart of the American Dream. That’s especially true for veterans and the military community, who continue to own homes in greater numbers than their civilian counterparts.
Just call Mark J Main at 719-460-6145 and he will get to work finding your perfect home. His excellence in customer service, buyer satisfaction and experience in serving the unique needs of military families make him a top professional in the industry.

Mark will connect you with a loan officer that will work directly with you to find the best finance option for your purchase–whether it be a VA Loan, conventional mortgage, U.S. Department of Agriculture or Federal Housing Administration loan.”

PCS Guide

According to the Military Officers Association of America, the 10 steps to get ready of PCS season are:

1. You Are in Command 
   Take charge.
   Don’t go it alone: Take advantage of military and civilian resources—ask others military families about their experiences or references for resources in your new community
2. Get Organized and Prepared for Your Move
   Begin the minute you receive verbal and/or written orders.
   Helps to reduce stress and maintain control over the situation.
3. Assess your Situation and Needs
   Remain positive: Make a list of things you and your family are looking forward to and make a list or scrapbook of the good memories you will be taking with you.
   Review your financial situation, income (spouse employment needs), debt, cost of living, taxes, and establish a budget
   Determine personal vs government transit costs associated with the relocation:Relocation cost estimates (e.g., allowances, travel/transportation, lodging, mileage).
   Determine housing costs at new location (broker/real estate, selling a home, renting, buying a home, government housing, allowances, subsistence, etc.). Update personal affairs information (wills, powers of attorney).
   Determine child care, school-age children, and adult educational needs. Remember, overseas moves are more complex so allow sufficient time and resources to address unique issues and conerns.
4. Develop a Plan and Checklist(s)
   Set-up a system to execute your plan: use a notebook or planning device or pre-established checklists for your planning.
   Everybody plans: Involve spouse, children and or other family members in the planning process for the new home so they will feel less helpless about the move.
5. Establish a schedule
   Be optimistic, but realistic—don’t try to do everything at once. Break larger tasks into smaller components. Spreading smaller tasks over a longer time period makes things more manageable and less stressful. Remain flexible. Even the best plans change. Remain open to change and new opportunities and readjustment will be a more positive experience.
6. Household Goods
   Inventory and photograph your belongings.
   Determine method of moving (e.g., government move, partial government move, DITY or self-move).
   Determine requirements for storage and moving pets and vehicles.
7. Gather information on the new location
   Housing market
   Cost of living
   Schools for children
   Employment for spouse
8. Don’t forget to make time for family and individual needs and feelings
   Talk it out: Find time to sit down as a family and discuss your feelings about the move.
   Keep familiar patterns or routines as much as possible, particularly old routines such as mealtimes and bedtimes. Familiarity provides security. Stress can negatively affect the body and the mind and make you more vulnerable to illness. Families need to give themselves a little extra “tender, loving care (TLC)” at moving time by eating the right foods and getting enough exercise and sleep.
   Have funand take breaks: Incorporate fun activities along the way.
9. Say Good-byes
   Say your good-byes: It’s important to deal with good-byes and express feelings of sadness so you can move on emotionally as well as physically. Keep an eye on the children—moving can be especially traumatic for them.Help children to find ways to meet new teachers and friends but don’t push at their new location. Most children adjust just fine. However, parents should keep an eye out for possible danger signals such as a child spending too much time alone, loss of interest in favorite things, loss of energy or appetite, or other behavior pattern changes.
10. Welcome to Your NewHome
    Say hello to your neighbors and get to know your community
    Explore the new environment: Get up, get out, and get involved; the best medicine for loneliness is people and the best way to overcome the feeling of being uprooted is to put down roots in the new location.

See more at: http://www.moaa.org/Content/Benefits-and-Discounts/Transition-and-Careers/Relocation-Information/Getting-Ready-for-PCS-Season.aspx#sthash.IcvQ9sXx.dpuf