PCS to Little Rock AFB Checklist | Military Relocation Timeline

PCSing to Little Rock Air Force Base is manageable if you have a clear timeline and know who to call. This checklist covers everything from when to start your home search to what to bring to closing — with specific guidance for Central Arkansas and LRAFB. Ashley Watters is a military spouse and REALTOR® who has worked through this process with dozens of LRAFB families. She knows what gets missed and when things need to happen.

6–12 Months Before Report Date

• Research Central Arkansas communities — Read our neighborhoods near LRAFB guide and individual city pages for Jacksonville, Cabot, Sherwood, and Conway
• Pull your credit report — Free at AnnualCreditReport.com. Dispute any errors now, not 60 days before you want to close
• Determine your VA loan eligibility — If you’ve served 90+ days active duty, you almost certainly have VA entitlement. Request your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) through VA.gov or ask Ashley to connect you with a VA lender who can pull it
• Research LRAFB BAH rates — Check current Little Rock BAH rates for your pay grade and dependency status. This is your housing budget ceiling
• Research LRAFB schools — See our schools near LRAFB guide and decide if school district is a priority factor in your community selection
• Contact Ashley — A 30-minute virtual consultation 6–12 months out costs you nothing and may save you months of wrong-direction research

4–6 Months Before Report Date

• Get pre-approved for VA financing — Not pre-qualified. Pre-approval means the lender has reviewed your income, employment, and credit. Sellers in competitive markets won’t consider offers without it
• Choose your target community — Jacksonville (shortest commute), Cabot (best schools), Sherwood (best of both), Conway/Vilonia/Greenbrier (Ashley’s home market, best amenities)
• Set up MLS alerts — Ashley can set automated alerts for your target zip codes, price range, and specs so you see new listings the day they hit
• Research rental alternatives — If your timeline is tight or you want to see the area before buying, know that good rentals in Jacksonville move fast. Have a backup plan
• Check into LRAFB on-base housing waitlists — If on-base housing is your fallback, contact the housing office at LRAFB to understand current wait times

2–4 Months Before Report Date

• Make offers — In Central Arkansas, good homes at the right price still move in days. Your pre-approval needs to be current (within 60–90 days) and your agent needs to be responsive
• Understand VA offer strategy — VA offers aren’t weak. Ashley knows how to write VA offers that compete effectively, including asking for seller-paid closing costs (VA buyers can’t pay certain fees)
• Schedule home inspection — VA appraisals are not home inspections. Always get a separate inspection even on newer homes
• Lock your interest rate — Work with your VA lender on rate lock timing relative to your expected close date
• Coordinate with your gaining unit — Confirm your report date and whether you have any flexibility. A one-week difference can mean the difference between closing before you arrive vs. closing remotely

30–60 Days Before Report Date

• VA appraisal ordered — Your lender orders this after your offer is accepted. VA appraisals in Arkansas typically take 7–14 days. The appraiser must be VA-approved; your lender handles this
• Title search underway — Your title company will search for liens, easements, or title defects. Ashley can refer you to experienced Central Arkansas title companies familiar with VA transactions
• Homeowner’s insurance quote — Required before closing. Get quotes from 2–3 providers. Arkansas homeowners insurance rates are lower than coastal states but can vary significantly by property
• Final walkthrough scheduled — Typically within 24 hours of closing. Verify the property is in the agreed condition
• Wiring instructions verified by phone — Wire fraud is real. Always verify your title company’s wiring instructions by calling the number on their official website, never from an email

Closing Day

• Bring valid government-issued ID
• Bring your checkbook (in case of last-minute small adjustments)
• Closing funds wired 24–48 hours in advance (if applicable)
• VA loans have a funding fee that is typically rolled into the loan (disabled veterans are exempt)
• Sign, get keys, done — you own a home in Central Arkansas

Buying Remotely Before Your Report Date

Many LRAFB families need to close on a home before they physically arrive in Arkansas. This is absolutely doable and Ashley handles remote purchases regularly. The process:

• Ashley does virtual showings via video call — she walks through properties with you in real time and answers questions live
• Offers can be signed electronically
• Final walkthrough can be done virtually or by a trusted local representative if you authorize it
• Closing documents can be signed via remote online notarization (RON) in Arkansas
• Keys can be held at the title company or with Ashley until your arrival

Call or text Ashley at (501) 951-9200 to start the process — no matter where you’re currently stationed. She can begin virtual consultations, set up MLS alerts, and get your VA pre-approval moving before you’ve even received official orders.

Continue your research: Full PCS guide to LRAFB | BAH rates 2026 | VA loan specialist | Best neighborhoods near LRAFB