PCS Toolkit | Evie Hansen — Military Relocation Specialist San Antonio

12+ Months Out Orders on the Horizon

Research San Antonio neighborhoods near your base Use our Neighborhood Finder → to get matched by commute, schools, safety, and budget

Look up your BAH rate for San Antonio BAH Calculator (DoD) → — San Antonio BAH covers a solid range of homes depending on your rank

Review your VA loan entitlement — especially if you've used it before VA Home Loans (va.gov) → — bonus entitlement allows multiple VA loans simultaneously in many cases

Start building or reviewing your credit score 620+ minimum for VA loan; 740+ for best conventional rates. Pull a free report at AnnualCreditReport.com →

Connect with a military-specialist Realtor in San Antonio early Contact Evie → — she'll set up automated search alerts so you see homes as they hit the market

Research school districts if you have children NISD (Lackland area), NEISD / Judson (Fort Sam / Randolph area), Schertz-Cibolo ISD (Randolph NE corridor). Ask Evie which neighborhoods feed into the best campuses.

Get a general sense of San Antonio home prices in your target area Alamo Ranch / Helotes: $280K–$450K · Stone Oak: $350K–$600K · Schertz / Cibolo: $270K–$400K · New Braunfels: $280K–$450K

6 Months Out Orders Received

Get pre-approved for a VA loan or conventional mortgage Evie can refer you to trusted military-friendly lenders who understand BAH, housing allowances, and rapid-close timelines

Notify your current landlord — review your SCRA lease-break rights SCRA Rights (DOJ) → — PCS orders typically allow penalty-free lease termination with 30 days written notice

Begin virtual home tours with Evie Evie does live video walkthroughs, neighborhood drive-alongs, and detailed voice notes so you can buy remotely with confidence

Contact your TMO / PPPO to initiate your government move Do this NOW if coming from OCONUS — overseas HHG shipments take 6–16 weeks. The earlier you schedule, the better your pickup date options.

If OCONUS: initiate your POV (vehicle) shipment through the VPC Schedule at PCSMyRide.com → — your vehicle and HHG ship separately. Texas arrivals typically route through the Dallas/Fort Worth VPC.

Begin selling your current home if applicable Contingency offers (buy contingent on your current home selling) are commonly accepted in military markets. Ask Evie about bridge strategies.

Request a house-hunting trip (HHT) if authorized by your orders Use every authorized day — Evie will pack your schedule with showings to help you find the right home before you have to report

Update DEERS information on MilConnect MilConnect →

90 Days Out Getting Real

Make an offer on your San Antonio home Evie handles everything remotely — virtual tours, e-signatures, remote closings. You don't have to be there in person.

Lock in your mortgage rate with your lender Rate locks typically last 30–60 days. Coordinate the lock timing with your expected closing date.

Schedule your home inspection and VA appraisal VA loans require a VA-assigned appraiser — Evie will coordinate this. VA MPRs (minimum property requirements) must be met.

Know your HHG weight entitlement by rank E1–E5: 8,000–12,000 lbs · E6–E9/O1–O3: 13,000–14,500 lbs · O4+: 17,000–18,000 lbs. Overweight = you pay the difference.

Start decluttering aggressively before pack-out day Heavy items (bookshelves, exercise equipment, old furniture) eat into your weight allowance fast. Sell or donate anything you wouldn't buy again.

If OCONUS: prepare your POV for shipment Vehicle must be clean inside and out (customs requirement), gas tank under ¼ full, no personal items inside, no leaks. Check VPC-specific requirements at PCSMyRide.com →

Arrange temporary housing in San Antonio if your closing date doesn't align with your report date Ask Evie for short-term rental and extended-stay recommendations near base. On-post lodging fills fast — book early.

30 Days Out Final Countdown

Confirm closing date and wire instructions with your title company ⚠️ Wire fraud is real — never wire funds based on an email alone. Call your title company directly using a number you looked up independently to verify instructions.

Confirm HHG pack-out date and review your inventory estimate Make sure the moving company accounts for everything. Disputed items are much harder to claim after the fact.

If OCONUS: confirm your POV (vehicle) shipment status and estimated Dallas/Fort Worth VPC arrival date Track at PCSMyRide.com → — plan to drive to DFW for pickup. Bring your title, military ID, and VPC release documents. VPC won't release without them.

Submit change of address with USPS USPS Mover's Guide →

Update address with your bank, investment accounts, and key subscriptions

Set up Texas utilities before your arrival date CPS Energy (electric/gas), SAWS (water), and your internet provider. Evie can recommend preferred internet providers for your specific neighborhood.

Update myPay / DFAS with your new San Antonio address myPay →

Pack a personal "go bag" — keep it with you, never on the truck Military ID, orders, passports, closing documents, medications, phone chargers, a few days of clothes, car keys, irreplaceable valuables, cash

Move Week Go Time

Take timestamped photos and video of all belongings before the movers pack a single box Walk every room. This is your evidence for damage claims — do not skip it. Store photos in the cloud, not just on your phone.

Review and sign the HHG inventory sheet (DD Form 1299 / GBL) Read it before you sign. Note any pre-existing damage on the sheet — don't let the movers mark items "scratched" or "dented" without your agreement.

Do a final walkthrough of your current home after the truck leaves

Return all keys, garage openers, mailbox keys, and any HOA access items

Attend closing — in-person or remote e-sign with Evie Evie coordinates with title to make remote closings seamless. You'll receive keys (or a lockbox code) the same day.

Keep all critical documents on your person during travel — not in checked bags Orders, military IDs, passports, closing docs, VPC release paperwork (if OCONUS), medications, car title

After Arrival Welcome to San Antonio

Coordinate HHG delivery to your new home Call your carrier to schedule the delivery window ASAP after you have keys. Note any damage on delivery — you have 75 days to file a claim at Move.mil →

If OCONUS: pick up your POV from the Dallas/Fort Worth VPC Check readiness at PCSMyRide.com → before making the trip. Bring military ID, title, and the VPC release paperwork. Plan for a full day — lines can be long.

Apply for your Texas Homestead Exemption This is a big one — reduces your property's assessed taxable value, saving you hundreds per year. File with your county appraisal district after January 1 of the year following your purchase. Texas Homestead Exemption →

Register your vehicle in Texas Required within 30 days of establishing residency — TxDMV.gov →. Active duty members may be exempt from state property tax on vehicles.

Get a Texas Driver's License Required within 90 days. Visit your local DPS office — bring your current license, proof of Texas residency (utility bill or closing docs work), and Social Security card.

Update DEERS and ID cards at your installation

Update myPay / DFAS with your Texas address myPay →

File damage claims for HHG within 75 days of delivery Move.mil claims → — don't wait. The clock starts at delivery, not when you unpack the box.

Update voter registration in Texas VoteTexas.gov →

Reach out to Evie — she knows the best spots in San Antonio 🌮

Your PCS Toolkit

Your Move,
Phase by Phase

Where to Live
Near Your Base

Southwest San Antonio

Northeast San Antonio

Northeast Corridor

Links You'll
Actually Need

BAH Rate Lookup

VA Home Loans

Military OneSource

Move.mil

SCRA Rights

myPay / DFAS

JBSA Official

Texas DMV

POV Shipment (PCSMyRide)

Texas Homestead Exemption

Let's Make Your PCS
The Easiest One Yet