PCS Pay-it-Forward® is a FREE program for military families committed to creating a smooth transition from one duty station to another by increasing access to resources and support.
Our mission is to eliminate the need for interim housing and reduce the number of families falling victim to sight unseen rental scams on their PCS Move.
Started in 2018, PCS Pay-It-Forward® has grown to serve over 100 military communities and provide support to over 50,000 military members nationwide.
I have used this platform to help provide education on the rental and purchase process, as well as help match members that are inbound with outbound members looking to either rent their property or help their landlord find another military family to replace them.
In 2018 we helped three military families purchase homes in Las Vegas completely sight unseen!We were completely humbled and honored that these families trusted us to be their boots on the ground, and that they trusted someone they hadn’t met in person yet to guide them through such a big purchase.
Becoming an ambassador has been amazingly rewarding. After seeing firsthand how little information is pushed to our Military Families on how to have a successful PCS move, I feel it is my mission to go door to door to help them. PCS Pay It Forward gives me a platform to reach a much larger audience.…
Hawaii is one of the more stressful duty stations for military to PCS to, from pets having to be quarantined, being overseas, the higher cost of living, and the difficulty in finding housing… Ever since becoming Ambassadors we have helped 100’s of military families ease their worries and frustrations by providing resources and support. We…
As a military spouse, finding my place in the career space has always been hard. When I found real estate, I found my home! Serving our military community was a natural place for me and the PCS Pay-it-Forward initiative is the perfect place for me to massively affect positive change in the lives of hundreds!
A member of my PCS Pay-it-Forward group PCSing from Hawaii contacted me via FB Messenger to ask if I could show them a rental in Summerville. It took 2 weeks and about 20 homes, but we found them a new build home in the same neighborhood where her sister lives in their budget, in a…
Being an ambassador has given me the gift of providing hope to military families. My initial connection with each one is met with a tone of anxiousness. With most not knowing if housing that will meet their personal needs for their families and pets even exists, and the fear of being stuck in interim housing…
Once a year Pay-It-Forward (PIF) Ambassadors come together to network, learn, and continue to grow as real estate professionals. PIF is a young company and internet-based network of real estate agents and thanks in part to COVID, some of our agents had never met their fellow ambassadors in person. To the uninitiated, the Pay-It-Forward family…
Military Home-buying Horror Stories: Scammed in Alaska Alaska Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Matthew O'Brien, survival, evasion, resistance, and escape specialist with the 212th Rescue Squadron simulates combat search and rescue tactics in Southcentral Alaska by practicing UHF/VHF radio communications Jan. 21, 2021, as part of Operation Noble Defender. Noble Defender is a North American…
The shifting influence of the pandemic continues to impact PCSing in the military community in various ways. In addition, duty assignments and PCS procedures and doctrines have varied between branch compounding the problem as services experiment with best practices as the COVID has continued to evolve. At Pay-It-Forward Inc. it’s our mission to create better…
Moving in the military can be extremely stressful. Moving in the military while also being unorganized can be a disaster. Ask any season military spouse what they suggest to relieve stress from your PCS and they will tell you that organization is key! This is why we put together a streamlined checklist of essential items…
Deciding where to retire after your military service is a tough decision. For Veterans who are receiving military retirement pay, it is important to consider how those funds will be taxed before you make a plan to move. So we have compiled a list of states that will not tax your military retirement income! If…
Whether you are looking to boost your credit score to buy a house or a car, there seems to be no shortage of companies and programs out there willing to charge military families to repair their credit. First, did you know that the VA Home Loan has no minimum credit score requirements? Right! Find out…
Younger Veterans are driving a noticeable increase in VA Home Loan purchases as Millennials and Gen Z are starting to purchase homes at an astonishing rate. We are on a mission to educate 1,000 Veterans about their VA Home Loan benefit, join the movement at Savvy Veteran Homebuyer. While non-military first-time homebuyers are struggling…
The VA Home Loan has gotten a bad reputation with home sellers, largely because sellers are scared of VA appraisals. Why? Let’s talk about it. First, want to know the best way to handle sellers’ concerns over a low VA appraisal? Join Savvy Veteran Homebuyer to learn how to position your offer so that a…
There are a number of benefits to using your VA Home Loan. To learn all the perks of the VA Home Loan and to connect with other aspiring military homeowners just like yourself, join Savvy Veteran Homebuyer, where we are on a mission to help 1000 aspiring Veteran homeowners realize their American Dream. Here’s why…
The VA Home Loan has gotten a bad rap with sellers. This is largely due to outdated misinformation perpetuated by sellers and real estate professionals. Take a minute to join our free education program for aspiring military homeowners, Savvy Veteran Homebuyers. So let’s dive in! Why are sellers wary of the VA Home Loan?…
We often get asked what to expect from a VA appraisal when you’re purchasing a home with your VA Home Loan. It’s a good question, because if you are new to buying homes and using your VA loan benefits, then this is an area that can be misunderstood and result in frustration or disappointment. Fear…
Just because the VA Home Loan has strict lending guidelines regarding the condition of the property that you are buying, doesn’t mean that it’s not possible to purchase a money pit. Before we give you a list of questions you should consider about the condition of the property that you are purchasing, don’t forget to…
Have you been pre-approved for a VA mortgage, but are wondering how you are going to ensure that the home you purchase will meet VA guidelines? Here is a list of items that the VA will look for to ensure that the property meets lending guidelines for the VA Home Loan. Mechanical systems must…
The home buying process can be daunting for any first-time buyer and it is no different for military families using the VA Home Loan. You will not only juggle finding the right house, but you’re also juggling financing and real estate agents. There is a lot to know, which is why we created our Free…
Sooner or later, it’ll be time for that big decision: whether your spouse should re-enlist. Should they serve a bit longer, or transition back to the civilian sector? Although it can be an easy choice for some, it can be quite difficult for others. It’s not always the right decision, and if you’re not on…
In the new normal of living with the threat of the novel coronavirus, social distancing has become key – especially indoors. So how are you supposed to go about selling your home when you don’t even know if you’re supposed to allow anyone inside? Like most everything else in the current state of the world,…
You read that right alright. Not only can you use your VA loan to buy a house, you can use it to build one as well. Qualified military borrowers can use VA entitlement toward a new construction mortgage. The hard part is finding a lender who isn’t scared away by upfront construction costs and is…
It’s time to put your big boy (or big girl) pants on and get out of debt. Ignoring debt doesn’t make it go away. Trust me, my husband tried. Luckily for me, however, he was able to get out of it all by himself. But not everyone is as good at adulting as my Finance…
Buying a foreclosure can be a smart move. There’s no better way to get a rock-bottom price for a new home unless your favorite uncle leaves one to you or you’re being absolutely swindled. You can buy a home in pre-foreclosure, at a foreclosure auction, or from the mortgage lender. But even if you are…
One of the most important actions you can do for your financial health is to invest for your retirement. You may receive a military pension, but is that really how you want to live? Or would you prefer a little glamour in your heydays? That’s what I thought. And that’s why it’s important to…
To Build or To Buy? That is the Question The Dream Home. Everyone has a vision of it. Though they tend to differ greatly, most everyone has dreamed up the ideal place they’d like to live and the perfect home to go with it. For some, it’s a beach house in New England, for…
It’s one of those questions that you gloss over if the answer is no, and one that may send you into a panic if the answer is yes, never really having comprehended why it’s being asked of you in the first place. We’re talking about your taxes and that little question that inquires: Did you…
The article that no one wants to write, but someone needs to say. Ah, the internet. It’s amazing how it can be such a wonderful place and also the worst place on earth at the same time. It’s a place where we can share information, send cute videos, spread important news, stay connected with friends and…
7 Steps to Improve Your Credit Scores Do you know your credit score? If not, there are plenty of easy ways to check your credit scores online. Not only will you get the numbers, you’ll also receive information about which factors are affecting your scores the most. Of course, not all credit factors are…
Military families are used to being on the move. Unfortunately, due to our military lifestyle we are constantly having to update our mailing addresses and announce our pending move to our friends and family. Sometimes it feels like once we FINALLY get settled in at our new base it is time to pack our lives…
PCS Pay-it-Forward was just named one of the The Top Helpful Military Facebook Groups by Military.com! Here is what they said, “PCS season is a constant shuffle of families selling, renting and buying houses. It can seem really overwhelming if it’s your first time. If you have been in a spouse group for any amount…
You have heard the term PCS Binder and you think it might be something you need as you prepare for your upcoming PCS, but you still don’t know what it is. This post will tell you everything you need to know about a PCS Binder and how to build the perfect binder for your move!…
#1. Home Prices Continue to Rise In the last two years, housing prices have continued to rise slowly. Last year was slightly less strong than in 2018, as growing home values rose at 3.3% compared to 2018’s 5%, and real estate gurus predict that home prices will only rise by 2.8% in 2020. But still,…
If you’re a military family considering purchasing a home on Oahu it is very important to understand the new changes to the VA Home Loan. Curious how these homes impact your purchasing power? Check it out! Have questions? Ask local military families in our local support group HERE. Don’t forget to to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE for…
If you just got orders to Hawaii you maybe a little overwhelmed with all the ins and outs of island life. Here is a short video about what you need to know before calling Oahu your home. Have questions? Ask local military families in our local support group HERE. Don’t forget to to LIKE and…
If you just got orders to Hawaii you maybe a little overwhelmed with all the ins and outs of island life. Here is a short video about what to expect when looking for off basing housing on the island. Have questions? Ask local military families in our local support group HERE. Don’t forget to to…
RENTING WITH PETS. It’s the bane of every military families existence. Want to increase your chances of getting your rental application accepted? Consider writing a pet resume! For more support and the first shot at pet friendly rentals join your local PCS Pay-it-Forward Support group for your base! List of all bases HERE. Watch, Learn,…
The VA home loans program is by far one of the most beneficial programs for vets, allowing honorably discharged veterans to buy a house without a down payment. That’s right, civilians: without a down payment! But it’s about to get even better. The Blue Water Navy Veterans Act of 2019 became law, expanding VA disability…
Tip 1: Start Now You don’t need to have your VA Certificate of Eligibility to start the VA loan process. You can start contacting VA approved lenders to start the prequalification and preapproval process right now because it doesn’t make sense to start looking for homes before you’ve got a clear sense of what you…
PCSing isn’t a fun task to begin with, but when you add kids, pets, or both to the mix, things can get even more complicated. But good luck with your human children, because today we’re going to focus on our furry friends and making the transition from old place to new as safe and smooth…
You have heard the term PCS Binder and you think it might be something you need as you prepare for your upcoming PCS, but you still don’t know what it is. This post will tell you everything you need to know about a PCS Binder. What is a PCS Binder? There are two schools of…
If you don’t know this unpacking might be a nightmare Sometimes when you move you are focused on getting all your stuff packed and moving to your new location. But unfortunately packing up your house is only half of the process. Once you arrive at your new home and your boxes of stuff are delivered.…
Moving is hard. The emotional toll of saying goodbye to family and friends is hard enough that you don’t have to add the stress of actually moving to realize that picking up your life and starting over isn’t easy. After moving multiple times, I have found there is a science to the moving process. The…
Receiving Military relocation orders can be incredibly stressful. There is a seemingly endless list of tasks that can make even the seasoned PCSer’s head spin. That’s why PCS Pay-it-Forward® has put together these 4 simple steps to a stress-free PCS. Step 1: Preliminary Information Gathering on Your New Duty Station While Google is a wonderful…
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