To Rent or To Sell in Jacksonville, FL After PCS Orders
It’s a situation all too familiar for military families. One day you’re all settled into your life and the next you get PCS orders and must move quickly out of the area. If you own a home, what should you do? Rent or sell?
This is a question we get asked all the time and here’s what we do to help people sort through this stressful situation.
Look at Selling
First, we look at selling your house. We’ll run a net proceeds sheet to see what your bottom line will look like at closing should you decide to sell. The net proceeds sheet consists of your current mortgage payoff amount, annual property taxes, any HOA balance, real estate commissions, and other miscellaneous closing costs. It’s important to know what you would actually walk away with at closing should you decide to sell.
Look at Renting
Next, we look at what your property will command in rent right now. To do this, we look at what similar properties have rented for in the last year. We look at homes that have the same number of bedrooms, square footage, and amenities. We will break it all down for you and send you a list so we can then discuss what you would feel comfortable renting your home for.
Look at The Future
Once we have a better understanding of what your house would sell for and what it would rent for, we present both options to you so we can discuss in terms of your specific situation.
If you are looking to buy a home where you are moving to, you may want to sell your house here in Jacksonville so you can pull that equity out as cash for a down payment on your next home. Or you may want to rent your home here and build long-term equity, which a lot of homeowners do.
We discuss whether you think you’ll return to Jacksonville anytime soon. And if so, would you want to move back into the same house? Would it still suffice for you or will your family have grown by then? And is the neighborhood appreciating or depreciating?
Decide What’s Right for YOU
Ultimately, it’s a personal decision based on your goals and your family’s goals. One of the beautiful things about Hover Girl Properties is that we help homeowners sell their houses and we help people rent their houses through our property management division. That means we are never driven by ulterior motives. We simply want to help you make the best decision for you and your family.
Whether you’re moving to Spain, Japan, Hawaii, or San Diego, your situation is unique. You can find a lot of opinions out there on social media or amongst friends and family, so it’s always a good idea to talk to an unbiased expert who isn’t going to bring emotions into the conversation. We just want to give you all the information we can to hopefully destress an otherwise stressful time.
Tips for Moving after PCS Orders
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Read and Understand Your Orders:
- Review your PCS orders thoroughly for entitlements and instructions.
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Organize Important Documents:
- Use a binder or digital folder for orders, receipts, and contacts.
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Contact the Transportation Office:
- Schedule your move date and discuss shipment options.
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Declutter:
- Sell, donate, or dispose of unnecessary items.
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Inventory Your Belongings:
- List items and their condition; take photos for insurance.
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Label Boxes Clearly:
- Include contents and room designation on each box.
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Separate Essentials:
- Keep important documents, valuables, and essentials with you.
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Supervise Packing:
- Be present to ensure proper packing and inventory accuracy.
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Plan Your Travel:
- Prepare your route and accommodations if driving.
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Inspect Upon Arrival:
- Check delivered items for damage or missing pieces and report issues.
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Update Your Address:
- Notify the post office, banks, and other institutions.
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Utilize Support Services:
- Connect with family support centers at your new base.
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Stay Organized:
- Keep your moving binder accessible and maintain good records.
These concise tips can help streamline your PCS move and ease your transition to a new duty station.