Join the Navy and see the world! While this slogan enticed adventurous young people to join back in World War II, traveling and moving around the world is still part of most military careers. Many members of all branches of the military move across the country and even across the globe at least once during their time in service, with many completing multiple permanent changes of station (PCS). If you are getting ready for a PCS to a new duty station, it’s essential to understand the various types of military moves and when to execute them yourself. Commonly known as a Do It Yourself (DITY) move but officially named a personally procured move (PPM), moving things yourself gives you the most control over your items and the timeline of your move. Key Takeaways A PPM and a DITY move both refer to military moves in which the service member makes all moving arrangements. The military can reimburse moving expenses, but you must submit receipts to the travel office. The DD2278 form is required to be approved for a PPM or DITY move. DITY moves are only authorized for CONUS (continental United States) military moves. What is a DITY Move? What is a PPM Move? A DITY move and a PPM are the same, although the military officially uses the term PPM to refer to a move where the military member arranges and executes the move. After finishing your move, you submit documentation to receive your Dislocation Allowance and other reimbursements for the cost of the move as a part of your PCS entitlements, such as moving and packing supplies, truck rental, shipping fees, and gas. A PPM differs from a household goods move (HHG), which is scheduled and contracted through a third party that the military pays directly. In an HHG move, you coordinate with the travel office, but they take care of finding the movers, signing the contract, and making payments. You can combine both types of moves to do a partial DITY move, allowing you to move a portion of your household items yourself and the rest via a contracted moving company. Anyone in the military with authorized moving expenses as part of their PCS orders is eligible for a DITY move. The exception is when you are moving outside the continental United States (OCONUS). All OCONUS moves require that the military arranges and pays for shipping household goods because of the complex timelines and customs requirements. There are a handful of obstacles when navigating a CONUS vs. OCONUS PCS move. It’s important to note that Hawaii and Alaska are considered OCONUS moves. A DITY move or PPM move is best if you can easily arrange transport of your household items. You should consider how much you need to move, the logistics of renting and packing a moving truck, and if you want to drive the truck yourself.   Preparing for a DITY Move If you decide to try a DITY move, you can take steps to make the entire operation much smoother. Before making any arrangements, complete a DD2278 form, which is your official request for a PPM. The travel office requires this form to ensure you are entitled to reimbursement and understand what is and isn’t covered under your PCS orders and move. In some cases, you can request an advance of your reimbursement to help pay for some upfront moving costs. If given an advance, make sure to save the receipt to submit to receive the remainder of your reimbursement after the move. When preparing for a move, start by researching your new home base and city. Will you live in military housing or out in town? Are you interested in renting or buying? Is this a place where you could do multiple military tours, or will you be moving again in a few years? You have a lot to consider when finding the right home in a new city. If you move with dependents, consider the job market, schools, and access to activities and extracurriculars. If you plan to move firearms or other controlled items, check local regulations for required permits, licenses, or registration. These requirements can vary from state to state, so do your research and take the proper steps before moving to a new state. Once your PPM is approved, create a to-do checklist leading up to the move, including reserving a moving truck, packing your belongings, and mapping out your route. Depending on your comfort level, you might even want to hire professional packers or movers to help the day of loading and unloading. Many of these steps require reservations and perhaps a deposit. Keep all your receipts since you need them for reimbursement when submitting your final paperwork. Executing a DITY Move (PPM) Moving day calls for plenty to take care of and keep track of, so a plan goes a long way. Make a checklist of precisely what you need to do, from picking up the truck to pulling into the driveway of your new home. Conducting a home inventory and taking pictures before and after your move can help keep track of your item’s condition. In a PPM, the movers are not necessarily responsible for broken or damaged goods like in an HHG move. However, if you contracted professional movers to help pack items or load the truck, they might have specific clauses in that contract to help you deal with damaged items. If so, you’ll coordinate with the movers directly rather than the travel office. Find a Trusted Real Estate Agent Thats me - Your Military Relocation Professional. Click here to learn more. DITY Move Reimbursement To receive reimbursement for your moving expenses, you must submit a copy of your military orders showing your move entitlement and a copy of your completed DD2278. You’ll also need weight tickets for your household items that show the empty weight at your initial location and the full weight of your shipment. If you use a moving truck, you can get this at a weigh station before and after loading up. If you contracted a moving company, ask them for these weight tickets before moving day so they know to provide them. You should also submit receipts for moving-related expenses, such as gas used to drive the truck, packing materials, and tolls. You will do all of this through the travel office, although the administrative department at your command can often help point you in the right direction of required forms and contacts. If you received an advance of your reimbursement, you’ll need to provide the receipt and paperwork showing this advance. Understanding Your PCS Allowances You need to know the weight allowance used to calculate your reimbursement. The exact amount depends on your rank and whether you are accompanied by dependents or unaccompanied. Your professional books, uniforms, and materials are considered separately from the rest of your household goods, so put them in their own clearly labeled shipping boxes. You can exceed your weight allowance during a PPM but are only reimbursed for the additional cost. Should You Do a DITY Move? If you move a short distance and can physically handle the demands of packing up your entire house and driving a moving truck, a DITY move might be the best option. You’ll have more control over the move, have access to your household items faster, and might even be able to save some money if you can keep expenses below the reimbursement rate. If you want someone else to take responsibility for the actual work of moving so you can focus your attention elsewhere, stick with a military-arranged HHG move instead. Although you may need to wait a bit longer for your household items, you will need less coordination on the day of moving, which can be less strenuous. In some cases, such as OCONUS moves, you cannot do a DITY move. If you are preparing to move overseas, expect to do an HHG move and have professionals take care of the logistics. The Bottom Line Deciding between a DITY move/PPM and a traditional HHG move takes careful consideration and planning when moving while in the military. Work with your travel office to determine which best fits your move to your new duty station.Written by Rachael Fisher Updated on January 7, 2025

When it comes to buying a home, timing can make all the difference. While spring and summer are traditionally the most popular seasons for real estate transactions, purchasing a home in the winter offers unique advantages that buyers should consider. You won't feel rushedOne of the most significant perks of buying a home in the winter is that you won't feel rushed. With fewer people house hunting during this season, you can take your time to explore different properties, carefully evaluate your options, and make a well-informed decision. The slower pace allows you to avoid the frenzy often associated with peak buying seasons, leading to a more relaxed and thoughtful home-buying experience. Sellers may be more willing to negotiateAnother advantage is that sellers may be more likely to negotiate during the winter months. Many sellers who list their homes during this time are often motivated by necessity rather than choice. Whether due to job relocations, financial needs, or other personal reasons, these sellers may be more willing to negotiate on price and terms to close the deal quickly. This increased flexibility can result in better deals for buyers. Historically home prices are lowerAdditionally, home prices may be lower in the winter. With reduced competition among buyers and fewer bidding wars driving up prices, you might find that homes are listed at more attractive prices compared to other times of the year. This presents an excellent opportunity for buyers looking to maximize their investment and secure a property at a lower cost. Mortgage incentivesMoreover, mortgage rates tend to remain favorable throughout the year, but shopping for a mortgage in winter might offer additional benefits. Lenders may have fewer applications to process, allowing them to provide more personalized service and potentially faster approval times. This can be particularly advantageous for buyers eager to move forward with their purchase. The Bottom Line In conclusion, buying a home in the winter offers several perks that can benefit buyers significantly. From not feeling rushed and having better negotiation power with sellers to potentially securing lower home prices, winter could be an ideal time for savvy investors and homebuyers alike. So bundle up and start exploring; your perfect winter home awaits!

When it comes to selling a home, one of the first steps many homeowners take is to look up their property’s value online. Websites like Zillow, Redfin, and Realtor.com offer instant home value estimates that can be incredibly appealing for a quick snapshot of what your property might be worth. But how accurate are these online home values? Let's delve into the factors that influence these estimates and determine whether they are fact or fiction. Sellers: The First Step For sellers, knowing the value of their home is crucial for setting a competitive price. Online valuations provide a starting point, but it's important to remember that these estimates can vary widely. For example, two different websites might give you two very different numbers for the same property. This discrepancy can create confusion and may lead some sellers to either overprice or underprice their homes. The Home's Condition One significant factor that online estimators often overlook is the condition of the home. These algorithms rely heavily on publicly available data such as square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and lot size. However, they can't account for recent renovations, outdated fixtures, or necessary repairs. A home that's been recently updated with modern amenities will likely fetch a higher price than one that hasn't seen any upgrades in decades. Conversely, if your property requires substantial repairs, its market value might be lower than what online tools suggest. Neighborhood Trends Neighborhood trends also play a critical role in determining a home's value. These trends include factors like school district quality, crime rates, and proximity to amenities such as parks and shopping centers. While some online valuation tools incorporate neighborhood data into their algorithms, they may not capture the nuances of local market conditions. For instance, an area experiencing rapid gentrification might see home values skyrocket in a short period, something an algorithm might not immediately catch. Accurate Comparable Sales Comparable sales (or "comps") are another vital component in determining a home's market value. These are recent sales of similar properties in the same area. Online estimators do use comps to some extent, but they may not always select the most relevant ones. For example, an algorithm might compare your single-story ranch home to a nearby two-story colonial simply because both have three bedrooms and similar square footage. A human real estate agent would likely make more nuanced comparisons based on architectural style and other finer details. The Bottom Line So, are online home values accurate? The answer is both yes and no. They can provide a useful ballpark figure but should not be solely relied upon for making significant financial decisions. For sellers looking to set an asking price or buyers trying to decide on an offer, consulting with a local real estate agent is essential. An experienced agent will conduct a comprehensive market analysis that takes into account the home's condition, neighborhood trends, and accurate comparable sales. In conclusion, while online home valuation tools offer convenience and speed, they lack the precision needed for making informed real estate decisions. Sellers should use these estimates as a starting point but should always seek professional advice for a more accurate assessment of their property's worth. Understanding the limitations of these tools will help you navigate the complex world of real estate with greater confidence and success.