Military moves are expensive! Somehow, despite Dislocation Allowance (DLA), reimbursement from a Personally Procured Move (DITY), and even a complete household goods move by military movers, little costs add up. In addition, there’s the house-hunting trip and boarding and daycare during the move for anxious pets and busy children. Then, you can’t forget the cost of replacing your curtains, area rugs, and other such items that no longer fit your new space, as well as replacing the random pots, pans, and coffee machines that magically disappear en route.

The summer season is sweating our way, but for many military families, summertime is not evocative of sandy beaches, or big boats, or even over-glamorized stay-cations. Rather, the approaching summer months herald the arrival of the 18-wheeler moving truck. The truck itself is neither problematic nor challenging; it is the effort required to engage with the truck at both the departure and the destination locations that is duly daunting to military families—most often, the military spouse.

First, you make the decision to sell your home. This decision is generally made after many thoughtful, analytical, and emotional conversations.

Then, you must determine whether to sell with or without a realtor’s assistance–another decision requiring careful consideration and reflective dialogue.

In a perfect world, landlord/tenant relationships would be easy for military homeowners. And while most relationships are amicable, there are instances when things go awry. We have discussed various ways to prepare for new tenants and to how to create a positive landlord/tenant relationship, but we have yet to delve into ways to prepare and protect you as a landlord in the event that the relationship breaks down.