From Orders to Ownership: January 2026 Update for Military Realtors

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From Orders to Ownership: January 2026 Update for Military Realtors

As 2026 gets underway, military real estate professionals have a unique window to reset strategy, support military families, and turn early-year momentum into a successful selling season. With evolving military policies, updated housing allowances, and potential changes to PCS norms on the horizon, now is the time to sharpen your market insights and outreach approach.

A Strategic January for Military Realtors

January isn’t just a new month — it’s planning season. Many service members will receive new orders, while others begin preparing for spring and summer moves. For military realtors, this means reconnecting with past clients, building referral pipelines, and updating educational resources on the latest military benefits and policies.

What’s New in 2026: Policies & Allowances Affecting Your Clients

📈 Housing Allowance (BAH) Updates — Good News, with Nuance
Service members’ Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) rates are increasing by an average of about 4.2% in 2026 compared with 2025 figures. This adjustment helps many families absorb rising housing costs and can support stronger buying power — but some areas may see flat or even slightly lower allowances depending on local market conditions.

💰 Pay & PCS Allowances — Smoother Moves Ahead
Across the board, military basic pay and key allowances — including Dislocation Allowance (DLA) — are up for 2026, giving families more flexibility when relocating. Increased DLA helps cover out-of-pocket costs associated with moving, a particularly impactful boost for budget-conscious buyers and renters.

📜 PCS Reduction Initiatives — Toward Greater Stability
In a notable shift, the Department of Defense has launched efforts to reduce the frequency of permanent change-of-station (PCS) moves over the next several years. The goal is to enhance geographic stability for service members and their families while trimming costs. Under planned implementation guidance, the military services are evaluating how to cut discretionary PCS moves by significant percentages through fiscal 2030, with phased reductions beginning now.

This potential reduction in PCS frequency could have major implications for military real estate:

• Couples and families may stay in one location longer, shifting dynamics between rentals and purchases.

• Realtors may find increased opportunities to support long-term homeownership decisions rather than short-term transitions.

• Communities near larger bases could see more stable demand — a strong story to tell buyers and sellers alike.

🗳 Future Legislation to Watch: The ‘STAY Act’
A bipartisan bill introduced to Congress aims to review tour lengths and reduce frequent PCS moves — another sign of momentum toward enhancing family stability. If passed, this could further encourage military clients to consider homeownership and community investment.

What This Means for Your Business

Be the Expert on Policy and Home Financing
In 2026, your clients will benefit from your command of how military benefits interact with real estate:

• Explain BAH impacts on monthly budgets and mortgage qualification.

• Clarify PCS policy changes and what they might mean for relocation planning.

• Connect with lenders who specialize in VA loan nuances and updated allowance figures.

Anticipate Shifts in Buyer Behavior
With moves potentially less frequent, some military buyers may:

• Seek longer-term homes rather than temporary housing solutions.

• Prioritize growth communities near stable employment or school districts.

• Request more detailed financial forecasts tied to changing pay and allowance landscapes.

Supporting Sellers in a Dynamic Market

Sellers in the military community face unique pressures — tight timelines, orders to new bases, and the emotional toll of relocation. Help them by:

• Pricing homes with current military pay/allowance insights.

• Strategizing marketing that reflects military timelines and buyer behavior.

• Coordinating logistics with lenders and inspectors who understand military schedules.

Stronger Together in 2026

Military real estate isn’t just about transactions — it’s about service. As policies evolve and benefits adjust, your expertise becomes even more valuable to service members and their families navigating relocation and homeownership. Proactive planning now will put you ahead as PCS season accelerates.

Here’s to a year of confidence, clarity, and community-building in every home you help make into someone’s future.

PRINTABLE RESOURCES

Reset Your Energy and Feel Lighter With a January Liver Reset

January is the perfect time to reset, rebalance, and support your body after the indulgence of the holidays. If you’re doing Dry January or simply craving a fresh start, focusing on liver health can make a powerful difference—and it’s one of the most overlooked wellness rituals.

That’s why I’ve made Pique’s Liver Detox Protocol part of my January reset. Inspired by over 3,000 years of Traditional Chinese Medicine, this gentle daily ritual supports your body’s natural detoxification processes without harsh cleanses or deprivation.

The protocol includes two simple moments a day: Electric Turmeric in the morning and La Ginger in the evening. In the morning, Electric Turmeric feels warming, grounding, and nourishing—like a calm reset before the day begins. At night, La Ginger is bold and soothing, supporting digestion and overnight renewal.

Within weeks, I noticed steadier energy, less bloating, clearer skin, and an overall lighter feeling. It didn’t feel like a detox—it felt like alignment. Two small rituals, big results.

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ON THE BLOG

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