Most of the folks that I represent are Soldiers or Airmen who are PCS’ing to Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Most start the process of finding a home well before their report date, sometimes by as much as a year….but usually 4-6 months. I do everything I can to encourage people to start planning early, and to get educated. I will do most of the planning work, and I offer lots and lots of educational materials for experienced as well as first time home buyers at Phil Sharp Homes.com. If you would like a description of the “Home Buying Process From Start to Finish”, reply to this email and I will send it to you.
I mentioned that I like to start planning about 6 months out. What I mean by that is that I like to start looking for and sending you listings about 6 months prior to your house hunting trip. This does three things… 1. It allows me to learn, by your feedback, what appeals to you. 2. It educates you about the market…it takes time to get a good feel for things. 3. Most importantly, it insures that when you come into town house hunting, we have identified and are ready to view every home on the market that fits your criteria. *I typically show 12-20 homes per day on a well planned house hunting trip, and I have never had anyone feel that their time was wasted.
Buying a Home Sight-Unseen is Risky Business…Make a House Hunting Trip!
If at all possible, a house hunting trip prior to your arrival is very worthwhile. Many people are not aware of the fact that military personnel may be authorized TDY for house hunting by their local commander. You have to pay your own way, but it is not charged as leave. The benefit is obvious, it takes about 30 days to close on a home…a long time to spend in the lodge.
A 2-3 day house hunting trip 45 days prior to your report date will allow you to find a home and start the closing clock ticking….so that you can move right in when you arrive. In many cases, we can overnight the closing documents to you at your current location or leave address so that the closing occurs before you get here.
My Staff and I are ready to start preparing for your house hunting trip today. If you would like for us to start looking for and sending you listings, just let me know….or send back the questionnaire that I emailed earlier and we will get to work right away.
Best of Luck on your move to Washington, You will love it here…. Phil