PCS to Scott AFB? A Home Buying Checklist for Military Families Moving to the Metro East

When PCS orders to Scott Air Force Base come through, the clock starts. You have a report date, a household to move, and a lot of decisions to make about a place you may have never seen. The good news is that a Metro East home search can be planned almost entirely before you arrive, if you take it one step at a time.

To every service member, veteran and military family reading this the day before Veterans Day: thank you. Here is a practical checklist to make your move to the Scott AFB area smoother, whether you plan to buy, rent or are not sure yet.

Step 1: As soon as orders arrive

• Confirm your report date and how much flexibility you have around it.
• Contact the Scott AFB housing office to understand on-base availability and wait times, so you can compare it with living off base.
• Start your household goods move through your branch's official moving process as early as you can. Peak moving season fills up fast.
• Decide on a rough budget. Factor in your housing allowance, but also commute costs, utilities and how long you expect to be stationed here.

Step 2: Decide whether to rent, buy or hold

Buying is not always the right answer for a military move. It depends on how long you expect to be at Scott, your plans after this assignment, and whether you might keep the home as a rental when you PCS out.

Chris will run a rent, buy or hold analysis with you. If a short tour makes buying the wrong move, he will tell you, and if buying makes sense, he will show you the numbers for keeping it as a rental after you leave.

Step 3: Get pre-approved, especially for a VA loan

• Request your VA Certificate of Eligibility if you plan to use your VA home loan benefit. Your lender can often help with this.
• Get fully pre-approved, not just pre-qualified. A strong pre-approval letter matters when you are competing for a home from out of state.
• Ask your lender about timing. Make sure your closing timeline works with your report date.

VA buyers sometimes worry about losing out to cash or conventional offers. Chris writes VA-ready offers designed so VA financing does not put you at a disadvantage, and he knows how to position appraisal terms.

Step 4: Compare communities by commute and housing

Most Scott AFB relocations look at a handful of nearby communities. Each one trades off commute, home style and price differently:

Chris also works Collinsville, Troy and Edwardsville if your situation points further out. Every household weighs these factors differently, so plan to look at homes in more than one community.

Do a commute reality check

Drive times at noon do not tell you much about a 0600 report time. Chris checks drive times to each Scott AFB gate at the hours you will actually be commuting, because each community behaves differently at rush hour.

Step 5: Tour remotely before you arrive

If you are still stationed somewhere else, you can do much of your search from there:

• Live video tours on your schedule. Chris walks each home on video, opens closets, and shows you the street and the surrounding homes, not just a highlight reel.
• Narrow the list early. Use video tours to rule homes out, so your in-person trip is spent on real contenders.
• Time zone friendly. Chris answers his own calls and texts, so you are not waiting on a call center to call back across time zones.

Step 6: Make your house hunting trip count

If you are taking house hunting leave, the goal is to see the right homes and be ready to write an offer before you fly out.

1. Send Chris your dates and your must-haves as soon as you know them.
2. Bring your pre-approval letter and know your top price.
3. Expect a planned tour route grouped by community, so you can see many homes in a short window.
4. Decide in advance what would make you write an offer on the trip.
5. Plan for inspection and appraisal timing after you leave, with Chris handling those steps locally.

What to look for in a home for a military move

Because military households often move again in a few years, it helps to think about the next move while you buy this one:

• Resale and rental appeal. A layout and location that works for a wide range of buyers and renters gives you options when you PCS out.
• Condition over cosmetics. A newer roof, furnace and water heater can matter more than finishes when you may not be here long enough to do big projects.
• Commute at your hours. A home that looks close on a map can still mean a long drive at 0600.
• Storage and flexibility. Space for gear, a home office or a guest room can make the next few years easier.
• Ongoing costs. Property taxes, HOA dues and utilities all affect whether the home would cash flow as a rental later. Ask about each one before you write an offer.

Step 7: Plan for closing and move-in

• Coordinate your closing date with your household goods delivery window.
• Set up utilities and internet in advance of your arrival.
• Arrange temporary lodging in case closing and arrival do not line up exactly.
• If you are selling a home at your current duty station, ask about timing both transactions together.

Leaving Scott AFB? The same plan works in reverse

If you are PCSing out of the Metro East, Chris can help you decide whether to sell or hold your current home as a rental, and market it while you prepare to move. The selling page explains how he markets every listing.

Start your PCS plan

Send Chris your report date through the Military PCS page, and he will build a tour plan around your house hunting window. Or call or text him directly.

Talk to Chris directly

Have orders to Scott AFB? Call or text Chris at 618-800-2673 or start your PCS plan at ckreusa.com. Christopher Kelly, REAL Broker LLC.

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy a home near Scott AFB before I arrive?

Yes. Many military buyers narrow their search with live video tours and then use a short house hunting trip to see finalists in person and write an offer. Inspections and appraisal can be handled locally after you leave.

Is a VA loan offer competitive in the Metro East?

It can be. A well written VA offer with a strong pre-approval and smart appraisal terms helps you compete, and Chris knows how local listing agents view VA financing.

Which towns are closest to Scott Air Force Base?

Shiloh has the shortest drive to the base, and O'Fallon, Belleville and Fairview Heights are also nearby. Commute times at your actual report time matter more than distance, so check drive times at rush hour.

Do you offer a military discount?

Yes. Active duty, Guard, Reserve, retired and veteran families receive a dedicated commission discount on every transaction, buying or selling.