Who is a good Realtor for a military PCS move to Oʻahu?

Someone who knows the bases, the commutes, BAH, and VA financing — and can run the whole purchase virtually. Ryan Adams is an Army veteran and Oʻahu REALTOR® with eXp Realty Hawaiʻi who focuses on military and VA buyers and sellers.

Can I buy a house on Oʻahu before I arrive?

Yes. Video walkthroughs, digital signatures, remote inspections, and e-closing make it common. Many families close before or right after they land.

Should I rent or sell my Oʻahu home when I PCS?

It depends on your rate, equity, expected rent, management costs, and whether you'll come back. Ryan runs both scenarios side-by-side so you can decide on numbers, not feelings.

Where should I live for Schofield Barracks?

Many Schofield families look at Wahiawā, Mililani, and the North Shore side for commute. Traffic patterns matter more than miles on Oʻahu.

Where should I live for Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam?

Common choices include ʻAiea, Pearl City, Ewa Beach, Kapolei, and parts of Honolulu. The H-1 commute is the deciding factor for most people.

Pearl Harbor aerial, from Ryan Adams’s Canva military montage

Military & PCS

Let's sort out the house before your PCS.

Got orders to Oʻahu, or orders out? I know how fast a PCS moves. Let's handle the house part so you can deal with everything else.

Talk about my PCS

Army veteran

My 14 years in the Army.

Ryan Adams in Army uniform wearing parachute equipment

Ryan Adams seated with parachute equipment in a hangar

Ryan Adams during a pinning ceremony in Army uniform

Ryan Adams in Army uniform beside the ocean

PCS to Oʻahu

Coming in

1. Call me before your report date's set, if you can. We'll look at your budget and BAH.
2. Get VA pre-approval with a lender who knows Hawaiʻi so you know what you can buy.
3. We'll pick areas around your base and commute, not just the beach photos.
4. I can show you homes by live video and point out things the camera might miss.
5. We'll coordinate remote inspections and signatures, then work toward a closing that fits your arrival.

PCS away

Heading out

1. Let's compare renting and selling with your actual numbers.
2. If you've got a low-rate VA loan, we'll check whether a buyer could assume it.
3. We'll time the listing around your pack-out and final out.
4. I can help sell it vacant or occupied, including after you've left Oʻahu.
5. You can coordinate signatures from your next duty station.

Your duty station

Let's start with where you'll report.

These areas are starting points, not rules. Tell me your commute times and school needs so we can narrow it down.

Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam (JBPHH)

Common areas: ʻAiea, Pearl City, Ewa Beach, Kapolei, Salt Lake, parts of Honolulu

Let's check your drive at the time you'll actually be on the H-1. The mileage won't tell you enough.

Schofield Barracks

Common areas: Wahiawā, Mililani, Waialua / North Shore

Mililani's worth a look, but check the H-2 around your report time before you settle on an area.

MCBH Kaneohe Bay

Common areas: Kāneʻohe, Kailua, Waimānalo

These Windward areas can shorten your commute, though weather and available homes differ from the other side of Oʻahu.

Fort Shafter

Common areas: Moanalua, Salt Lake, Kalihi Valley, Honolulu

You're close to town here, and condos or townhomes might be worth looking at alongside houses.

Tripler Army Medical Center

Common areas: Moanalua, Salt Lake, ʻAiea, Red Hill

You'll see some of the same areas as Fort Shafter. Tell me your shift times so we can look at the right commute.

What fits your BAH?

Your BAH helps us work out a budget, but it's not the whole picture. I'll look at principal, interest, taxes, insurance and HOA costs with you, plus what you're comfortable paying out of pocket. Then we'll set a price ceiling. Check current Hawaiʻi BAH rates on the official DoD calculator.

Rent vs. sell

If the rent covers your payment, reserves and a property manager, keeping it might make sense, especially if you might come back. If it doesn't, or you need the equity or VA entitlement for your next house, selling may fit better. I'll compare both with your actual numbers.

Buying before you get here

We can use video tours and neighborhood drive-throughs while you're off island, then coordinate inspections, digital signatures and a mobile notary. If a spouse is deployed, ask your lender and legal professional about a power of attorney. You don't have to be here for every step.

Ryan Adams handing keys to a soldier outside a home

If you've got a low rate on your VA loan, let's look at whether a buyer could take it over. Read about VA assumptions.

FAQ

A few questions you might have.

Military imagery is for illustration only. Ryan Adams is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Department of Defense, the U.S. Army, or the VA.