You need to be able to make an educated decision about what community you will entrust your family with while you're deployed. I'm retired Navy and except for schooling and deployments, I spent my entire career in San Diego, I know the military, I know the area and most importantly...I know how to look out for your best interests.
Did you know:
You may be granted up to 10 days additional leave to find housing at your next duty station?
Military members who make Permanent Change of Station (PCS) moves from one duty station to another or a homeport change certificate have the opportunity to take what we call house-hunting temporary assigned duty (TAD). This is a no-cost set of TAD orders, up to 10 days, which includes weekend/holiday on each end. Typically, the orders are only issued for approximately 8-9 days, as the only way 10 days would be considered is when Friday or Monday is a Federal Holiday. House hunting TAD, like other orders, have to be approved up the chain of command. These orders, like other TAD orders, require endorsement from PSD or local command to confirm travel.
Military members may request (from their commander) this permissive TAD anytime after they receive their written orders. However, because there is no travel entitlement, most military members elect to use this benefit, after signing out of their old base, but before signing into their new base.
In other words, they plan to arrive at their new base 10 days early, which then gives them 10 days for house-hunting, which is not charged as leave. The househunting entitlement only applies to members who will not be living in the barracks after arrival at the new assignment.
After many hours of searching the net as well as the official military websites, I cannot find the exact instruction for this. If you are looking for it, start with your Personnel Services Detachment, they should be able to find everything you need.
If you are coming to the San Diego area and you're planning on buying a home, email me and I'll send you all the information you could ever want.
Here are some of the many absolutely free services I will perform for you, just for asking.
Provide you with information about the communities that surround your duty station including: schools for your children, schools for you and your spouse, crime statistics, price of houses, condos, and town homes.
Provide you with the approximate commute time to and from your duty station as well as the beaches, mountains and other attractions.
Introduce you to reputable lenders that can show you exactly how much you qualify for.
Take you to the homes that fit your needs wants and affordability and help you negotiate an offer.
Guide you through the home buying process from beginning to end.
