Orders are in hand. The report date is circled on the calendar. And somewhere between out-processing, scheduling the movers and figuring out where the kids will start school, there is a house in Spokane that needs to be sold, rented or otherwise handled.
If you are stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base and facing a permanent change of station this summer, you are in good company. The warm months are the busiest time of year for military moves, and that has real implications for how you plan a home sale. Here is how to think through the timing.
Why Summer PCS Season Changes the Equation
Summer is a natural moving window for many households, military and civilian alike. Longer days, school calendars and good weather all push activity into late spring and summer. Around Fairchild, that means:
That mix can work in your favor or against you depending on your home, your price and your preparation. The one thing it does not do is slow down. Starting early is the single biggest advantage you can give yourself.
Step One: Decide Whether to Sell or Keep the Home
Before you think about listing dates, make the bigger decision. Many military homeowners weigh selling against keeping the home as a rental. Neither path is automatically right.
Questions to ask if you are considering renting
That last question is especially important if you used a VA loan. VA loan entitlement rules can affect whether and how you can use the benefit again while still owning a home purchased with it. Talk through your specific situation with a lender experienced in VA financing before you decide.
Tax treatment of a sale or rental also varies by situation, and there are provisions that can apply specifically to service members. A tax professional can help you understand how each choice would affect you.
Step Two: Map Your Timeline Backward
Once you have decided to sell, work backward from your report date. A realistic timeline accounts for:
Because every step has some uncertainty, build in a cushion. Nobody can guarantee exactly how long a sale will take, so plan for a range rather than a single date.
Selling After You Have Already Moved
Many service members find that their house is not sold by the time they need to leave. That is common, and it is manageable with planning. Selling a vacant home remotely typically involves:
A vacant home also needs attention to seasonal maintenance. If a summer listing stretches into fall, think about winterizing irrigation, keeping the heat on at a safe level and making sure someone can respond to a problem quickly.
Preparing a Home for PCS-Season Buyers
Many buyers during PCS season are relocating from out of the area, and some will be buying from a distance themselves. That shapes what helps your listing stand out:
Summer is also a great time to show off outdoor spaces. Keep the lawn watered, the landscaping trimmed and any patio or deck clean and inviting.
Protecting Yourself on the Buying Side
If you are buying at your next duty station while selling here, coordinate the two transactions carefully. Your lender will need to know whether your current mortgage will be paid off before the new loan closes. A contingent offer, a rent-back or a short gap in housing might all be options, each with trade-offs.
If you are leaving a rental home in Spokane rather than selling, review your lease and your rights as a service member with your installation's legal assistance office.
You Do Not Have to Figure It Out Alone
The Bonds & Co. works with military families and veterans on both sides of the move, including those arriving at Fairchild and those heading out. We understand the pressure a report date puts on a sale and can help you plan the prep, pricing and logistics around it.
If orders are in hand or on the way, reach out to our team. Let's talk through your timeline, your options and what a smooth PCS move could look like for you.
