Selling Your Home During a PCS From Fort Knox

Getting PCS orders is exciting — but if you own a home near Fort Knox, it adds a layer of complexity to your move. Selling on a military timeline requires strategic pricing, efficient preparation, and an agent who understands the urgency. As a Marine Corps veteran, Austin Kutz at Compass and Key Group has helped numerous military families sell quickly and confidently when orders come down.

Timeline: From Orders to Sale

The typical military sale timeline near Fort Knox looks like this:

• Receive orders (90+ days out): Contact your agent immediately. The earlier you start, the more options you have.
• 60-90 days out: Get a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA), make any quick repairs or improvements, professional photos, and list the property.
• 30-60 days out: Active showings, negotiate offers, accept contract.
• 0-30 days out: Inspection, appraisal, closing. Your agent can handle much of this remotely if you've already relocated.

Pricing Strategy for Military Sellers

The key to selling on a PCS timeline is pricing right from day one. Overpricing and hoping for the best is a luxury you don't have when you're working against a report date. A competitive price based on current comparable sales will generate more interest and faster offers. The Elizabethtown market is favorable for sellers, with homes typically selling within 35-45 days.

Rent vs. Sell

Some military homeowners choose to rent their home instead of selling. Consider:

• Sell if: You've owned less than 3 years, don't want to be a long-distance landlord, need the equity for your next home, or the market is strong (it currently is).
• Rent if: You've built significant equity and want passive income, plan to return to the area, or the rental market is strong (Fort Knox ensures steady rental demand).

See our military investment properties guide for more on renting out your home.

SCRA Protections

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) provides certain protections for military members, including the ability to terminate a residential lease early with PCS orders. If you're renting rather than owning, SCRA ensures you can break your lease without penalty when you receive orders.

Tax Considerations

Military members may qualify for capital gains tax exclusions even if they haven't lived in the home for the typical 2-of-5-year requirement. The Military Families Tax Relief Act allows service members to suspend the 5-year period during certain qualifying service periods. Consult a tax professional familiar with military benefits.

Remote Selling

If you need to leave before the sale closes, your agent can manage the process remotely — handling showings, negotiations, inspections, and closing coordination. Power of attorney arrangements can be set up for closing if needed. This is where having an experienced military relocation agent makes all the difference.