Relocating can be an anxiety-filled, overwhelming undertaking for anyone who has to suffer through it. Often, though, it’s especially tough for military families and even has its own name: Permanent Change of Station (PCS). Military families typically have to relocate often, and the relocation is sometimes to the other side of the world. Because our military families deserve all the help they can get, we offer these 6 tips for military families relocating to the Los Angeles area.
1. Find a Trusted Real Estate Agent
For military families relocating to the Los Angeles area, a very important first step is to find a trusted real estate agent who has experience in the area. A good agent can help you establish a realistic timeline and plan out the steps of your move, as well as, of course, helping you find your new home in time to move in.
A local real estate agent will have a firm grasp on Los Angeles real estate market conditions. And that will make house hunting and the purchase process both more effective and less stressful. Military families may find it difficult to shop for houses in the new area and so will have to rely on the expertise of an agent. So make sure you find a good one early in the process. To discover more, call (805) 257-5780.
2. Keep Important Documents Handy
Military families relocating to the Los Angeles area can further reduce the inevitable stress by keeping important, necessary documents easily accessible. So don’t just dump them in a box along with the dishes where you’ll have to dig for them when they’re needed. Instead, store these documents in a separate area and container where you can access them easily and quickly.
The items and documents you will need to keep separate include:
- Orders
- DD-214
- Social Security card and other forms of ID such as driver’s license and passports
- Marriage, divorce, and naturalization certificates
- Housing information and inventory of belongings
- Insurance information
- Medical and immunization records for all family members
- Vehicle titles and proof of insurance
- Employment and school records
3. Don’t Buy Household Items
One way for military families relocating to the Los Angeles area to make the move much is easier is simply to avoid buying or stocking up on household items. For at least a month or two before the relocation, don’t buy additional cooking or cleaning necessaries, toilet paper or toiletries when they begin to run low. You can always stock back up on these items when you get in your new home. The less you have to move, the better it will be.
4. Prepare Your Kids
As hard as relocating is for adults, it’s even tougher for kids. So make sure you prepare your kids for the relocation by discussing it with them long before the actual move. It also helps to reassure them that you love them and that they will make new friends at their new home. This will help smooth out the inevitable emotional roller coaster kids experience with a move. And check out the website Military Kids Connect – a great online resource designed to help military kids deal with the challenges of military life and frequent moves.
5. Be Prepared for Delays
No matter how well they plan and orchestrate the move, things will go wrong for military families relocating to the Los Angeles area. And one of the most common problems is furniture, household goods, and belongings not arriving at the new home when you do. So it pays to be prepared for this contingency.
The best thing is to pack your essentials and take them with you. This would include toiletries, what you need for sleeping, and some basic,easy-to-prepare food items. This way, you will be able to survive in your new home until everything arrives.
6. Vet Your Agent
We mentioned above that military families relocating to the Los Angeles area should find a good local agent first thing. But there’s actually a little more to it than that. The agent you choose must not only have experience in this area but must possess the professional agility and adaptability to meet the unique needs of military families. Your agent should understand the specialized timelines and requirements and have experience with VA loans, as well as being familiar with the jargon (like PCS) and the difficulty of frequent moves. Our agents are experienced and ready to help. Discover more! (805) 257-5780