A Permanent Change of Station (PCS) is part of military life. One of the unique benefits of military service is experiencing different parts of the country and the world.
Unlike temporary duty assignments, Permanent Change Station or PCS orders are usually longer-term assignments that are between 2 to 4 years. Chances are your home for the next 2 to 4 years is going to be Guam. Do not fear, Guam is a lovely and hospitable place and a great place to raise a family. If you love adventure Guam has some of the best natural beauty the world has to offer!
Looking for a new home in a place you have never been or are not familiar with can be overwhelming. We’ve put together this simple checklist, which is designed to help you find the right rental property on the island for you and your family.
Find out where you want to live. You will likely be stationed in Andersen Airforce Base or Big Navy, determine if you want to live on or off base. Once you narrow your search to a specific area, it would be wise to look up local schools and determine what type of community you would like to live in.
Use the results of your research to help you decide whether you want to live close to base or further away. Perhaps a short commute to base is a priority or maybe it is more important for you to have a bit of space away from base. You might be more interested to live in an area that is closer to nature, or perhaps in central Guam, where all the action is.
Work within a budget. Your Overseas Housing Allowance will likely fluctuate and change when you move. Determine what your new OHA budget is and decide if you prefer to live under your allowance or if you’re comfortable with paying a portion of your monthly rent out of your own pocket. With this new number in mind, you can begin to determine what type of home you would like to rent.
Determine a home type. Decide what best suits you and your family, whether it be a single family home, an apartment, a townhouse or a simple room (if you’re single). Be open to downsize if your new budget more comfortably suits an apartment, especially if you’ve grown accustomed to a spacious family home. Consider living further away from base as well to accommodate your budget.
Brace yourself for a hefty security deposit. Moving can be rather costly, and a security deposit is a part of the moving expenses. It is often a substantial amount of money and must be well thought of and prepared for in advance. Research on the laws regarding how much a landlord can legally require in a deposit and be prepared to set aside some money ahead of time, this is generally not covered under your housing allowance, it is best to check and to be aware.
Begin your home search. You can begin your search online with Ellen’s Realty Property Search tool. It has an advanced search feature where you can enter your budget, home type, number of rooms and other preferences to narrow your search results. This way you save time sifting through rental properties that are not well suited to your needs.
Once you have determined your needs, get connected with one of our Real Estate Agents(insert hyperlink). They will find a property that best suits your needs and budget. They will also help you with the contract and negotiating with your future landlord. Whether you are trying to maximize your housing allowance or trying to find the best way to save money, an agent can help you get into your ideal home.
Get to know your potential landlord. Unlike buying a home, where your interaction with the homeowner or their agent ends when the deal is closed, renting a home is quite the opposite. When you rent a property, you also commit to a relationship with the landlord or property manager for the duration of the lease. Our agents have a lot of experience with local landlords and generally have or can establish great relationships to make sure the rental process goes smoothly and avoid conflicts.
Finding a new home for you and your family can be quite a challenge in itself. It is essential to have a seasoned real estate agent take care of it and help you every step of the way. You can get connected with one of our agents here!