You’ve had PCS orders for months. You listed your house, cleaned it up, staged it and waited. But the home still hasn’t sold. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. In today’s challenging housing market, more and more military families are facing this deeply stressful situation. I’ve been there — more than once during my career — and while there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, there are options to consider.
The first step is accepting the situation for what it is. Yes, it’s frustrating. But once you acknowledge the problem, you’ll be better positioned to make a clear-headed decision about the best path forward for your family. None of the options are easy — and few will feel “good” — but one of them may be right for your circumstances.
Here are a few of the most common strategies, with pros and cons to help guide your thinking:
Drop the Price
This could mean bringing cash to the settlement table, especially after factoring in Realtor™ fees and closing costs.
- Pros: You may finally get the home sold and move on with your life.
- Cons: Financial loss is tough to swallow, especially if you're already stretched thin. But keep in mind: every month your house sits empty, you're losing money. If this is your best option — take it and don’t look back. And most importantly, don’t blame yourself.
Rent It Out
Explore your local rental market and run the numbers. Can you at least break even? If not, tax deductions for depreciation and expenses may help.
- Pros: Generates income and keeps the property occupied.
- Cons: Becoming a landlord is a job in itself. Screen tenants carefully. A bad renter can cost more than a price drop. Be sure to use rental listing services like MilitaryByOwner.com, Moresam.net, or even Craigslist. Always verify income, run credit checks, and contact past landlords.
Split the Family Temporarily
One spouse can PCS while the other stays behind to sell the house.
- Pros: Keeps the home market-ready and reduces the complexity of renting.
- Cons: Living apart is hard. The emotional and logistical strain on your family may outweigh the financial benefit.
Leave the Service
If you’re retirement eligible — or close — it may be worth evaluating whether leaving the military is a viable option.
- Pros: Stability and staying in your home. Potential access to private sector or federal jobs.
- Cons: Big life decision. But depending on your local job market, it could be a smart move. Check out USAJobs.gov or Military.com for leads.
Defaulting on Payments
This is not a recommended path. Defaulting can destroy your credit, threaten your security clearance, and leave long-term financial damage — including potential IRS bills from forgiven debt.
- Pros: May feel like an escape hatch in a desperate moment.
- Cons: The long-term consequences usually outweigh the short-term relief. Your career, finances, and integrity are too valuable to risk.
Bigger Than One Family
These options are just band-aids on a systemic problem: military families don’t always receive the same home ownership support that some federal employees do. VR SAM® has long advocated for career servicemembers to receive parity — including a guaranteed buyout program and full reimbursement for real estate losses during PCS moves.
If this issue matters to you, speak up. Raise your voice to:
- Your chain of command
- Your representatives in Congress
- Your fellow servicemembers
- Veteran advocacy organizations like the VFW, MOAA, and American Legion
You serve your country with honor — you shouldn’t have to carry the burden of home ownership alone. Until systemic change comes, we hope these options help you find the best path forward for your family.
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