Relocating to Scott AFB? Start Your Metro East Home Search Here.
Pat McMahan is Broker/Owner of McMahan Realty Group and lists military relocation among his specialties. This page is built to help you organize an off-base home search around PCS timing, using the same Metro East search tools and city pages available throughout this site.
Official base processes — lodging, in-processing, housing office questions — are handled through Scott AFB. The links further down go directly to those resources. Pat's role is real estate representation for an off-base purchase.
What to Do First After You Get Orders.
- 01Review official Scott AFB newcomer and housing resources
Start with the base's own newcomer, finance, and housing office information. That is the authoritative source for requirements, lodging availability, and in-processing steps.
- 02Establish rough timing and whether buying fits this PCS
Compare your report date, any house-hunting window, and how long you expect to be assigned here. Renting first is a legitimate outcome of that comparison.
- 03If financing, coordinate with your lender early
Get your budget and pre-approval in place before touring. Program eligibility and terms come from your lender.
- 04Decide the geography, commute, and gate you'll consider
Pick the gate and travel hours you expect to use, then decide how far from the base you're willing to look before you shortlist homes.
- 05Search current MARIS listings and contact Pat for representation
Use the property search on this site to review what's actually on the market, then reach out. Pat will follow up directly.
Off-Base Home Search Areas Near Scott AFB.
These are search areas, not rankings. Compare actual homes against your commute route and gate, your budget, the property type you need, and your own requirements — not a list. Drive-time varies by gate and hour, so test the route from any address you're seriously considering.
A larger St. Clair County city on I-64 west of the base, with a substantial share of newer construction alongside established neighborhoods.
O'Fallon home searchA smaller city directly adjacent to Scott AFB, with a compact downtown, established neighborhoods, and newer subdivisions on its edges.
Mascoutah home searchThe St. Clair County seat west of the base, with a historic downtown and a wide mix of older housing stock and newer construction.
Belleville home searchBuying During a PCS.
Work from your report date and any authorized house-hunting window. Your timeline determines whether buying before arrival is realistic for this move.
Talk to a lender early so you know your budget before you tour homes. Loan programs, eligibility, and terms come from your lender — not from us.
Decide on price range, property type, bedroom count, lot needs, and anything non-negotiable before you start comparing listings.
Inspections, appraisal, and lender conditions all take calendar time. We map those dates against your report date up front.
Shipment scheduling and lodging remain official military processes handled through the installation — see the official resources below.
PCS travel and closing dates can shift. We build the contract timeline with that in mind and keep you updated as dates firm up.
Send your report date and what you're looking for through the contact form. Pat will follow up directly. General buyer process details are on the Metro East buyer guide.
Using VA Financing.
If you plan to use VA financing, coordinate early with your lender and your agent so the search, offer, and closing timeline are built around that program's process from the start.
Loan eligibility, entitlement, and terms are determined by your lender and the VA. McMahan Realty Group does not provide lending, legal, tax, or military-benefit advice, and nothing on this page should be treated as such.
Scott AFB Official Newcomer Resources.
These official pages are the authoritative source for base-specific requirements, availability, and current procedures. Verify anything time-sensitive directly with them.
- Scott AFB newcomers & passenger terminal
Newcomer information, including temporary lodging resources for incoming and outgoing PCS personnel; house-hunting use is subject to availability.
- Scott AFB Finance — PCS in-processing
Current PCS in-processing guidance, including BAH recertification and TLE processing information.
- Military & Family Readiness Center
Installation PCS and relocation assistance programs.
- MilitaryINSTALLATIONS — Scott Air Force Base
Directs incoming personnel to review housing options and contact the installation housing office about on- and off-installation availability.
- Scott AFB contact & installation resources
Lists the base Housing Office and other installation support contacts.
McMahan Realty Group is not affiliated with or endorsed by Scott AFB, the U.S. Air Force, or the Department of Defense. Official base links are provided for convenience only.
Scott AFB Relocation Questions.
Frequently asked questions about real estate in the Scott AFB area, Illinois.