Finding a place to live can be a stressful and tedious process when you PCS to a new duty station.
You and your family have to decide if you want to buy or rent a house, what town you want to live in, whether or not you want to live in a rural or urban area, and you have to figure out what amenities you need and want.
However, there are several things you can do to make this process an easier one.
First, do your homework on the housing market. Begin looking for a home several weeks before you leave. Chances are others are PCS'ing at the same time as you, especially in the summer months. Plan ahead. Have houses waiting to be seen upon your arrival. The military only pays for ten days of temporary living allowance to allow families to find a place to live.
Second, look for a local real estate rental agent who knows the area well. Tell them what you want and let them do all the legwork.
Third, ask questions about neighborhoods and schools before you select a house.
Finally, research homes in the area and determine what amenities you want. Tell your agent your needs and wants. If you know that you have an elderly family member who needs ADA accessible accommodations, be sure to let the agent know. Also be sure to tell them must haves for your home. For example, you may have asthma and you need air-conditioning. Make sure you ask for a home with central air, as a large portion of local homes in the area do not have air-conditioning. Let the agent know if you have pets. Be sure to tell the agent if you have canopy beds, or large shelving units that will require high ceilings.
Be prepared and your PCS move will be a smooth one.
Below is a list of real estate and rental agencies to check out:
Family Real Estate Service, 475-1884 3808 Yakima Ave, Tacoma
www.familyrealestate.net/steven_weinman.htm.
Park 52 Property Management, 473-5200 5210 S Puget Sound Ave, Tacoma
www.park52.com.
Parkwood Property Management, 6219 Mt.TacomaDriveSW Tacoma,588-2266,
www.parkwoodrentals.com.
Kalles Properties, Inc., 2702 E. Main #A Puyallup, 848-9393
www.kallesproperties.com.
Coldwell Banker Hawkins-Poe, P. O. Box 64550 Tacoma, 274-9190, www.cbhrentals.com.
Northwest Properties Agency, 9527 Bridgeport Way SW Lakewood, 584-3633 http://www.nwp2.com.
Willow Properties, Inc., 6514 Steilacoom Blvd. SW Lakewood, 581-5199
www.willowproperties.com.
Compass Property Management, 6314 So. 19th Street - Suite 3, Tacoma, 566-8388, www.cpmwa.com. (Second location in Gig Harbor).
Double Z Inc. Property Management, 14401 Pacific Ave. S. Tacoma, 531-9431 www.doublez.net
NWHomes4You, LLC, 103 W. Meeker, PO Box 116, Puyallup, 770-5280, www.nwhomes4you.com
Evergreen Residential (Property) Management, Inc., 2601 70th Avenue West, Suite B., University Place, 589-2413, www.evergreenresidential.com
MGM Property Management, LLC, 5775 Soundview Dr, Ste 102 A, Gig Harbor, 851-8189,
www.mgmnw.com
Prudential Contact Corp., 507 31st Avenue SW Puyallup, 604-0492 http://www.contactrentals.com
Windermere Real Estate, (253) 671-8900, 6221 Tacoma Mall Blvd, Tacoma. Visit the Web site at www.windermere.com, to get a list of office locations.
Other sites to check out: