Skip to main content

About

About Us Blog Careers Press

Military Resources

PCS Guide BAH Calculator PFT/CFT Calculator VA Loan Info

Support

Help Center Contact Us Renter's Safety Guide Give Feedback

Legal

Privacy Policy Terms of Service Fair Housing Accessibility

PCS Pal is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense or any government agency.

© 2025 PCS Pal. All rights reserved.

Marketing Strategies to Reach Military Tenants

Last updated:1/15/2025

8 min read

MarketingMilitaryAdvertisingStrategyReach

Military families have unique housing needs and search behaviors:

Often relocate with 30-90 days notice
Search remotely before PCS
Rely heavily on word-of-mouth
Active in military community groups
Value military-friendly landlords
Make decisions quickly

Targeted marketing reaches them where they are and speaks their language.

PCS Pal (You're here!)

Dedicated to military housing
BAH calculator integration
Base proximity search
Military-friendly filters
Target audience: 100% military

Military By Owner (MBO)

Military-focused marketplace
Rentals and sales
Active duty user base

Military.com Housing

Integrated with military.com
Large military audience
Free listings available

AHRN.com (Automated Housing Referral Network)

Official military housing resource
Some bases require registration
Free to list

Must-List On:

Zillow
Apartments.com
Rent.com
Trulia
Facebook Marketplace

Optimization for Military:

Mention "near [Base Name]" in title
Include "BAH-friendly" or "military-approved"
Add "PCS-ready" and "flexible move-in"
Tag with military-related keywords

Facebook Groups (Most Effective):

"[Base Name] Housing"
"[Base Name] PCS Incoming"
"[Base Name] Buy Sell Trade"
"Military Spouse Network"
"[Branch] Spouses"

Join and Post:

Request to join groups
Read group rules
Post your listing with photos
Be available to answer questions
Don't spam - follow posting frequency rules

Facebook Marketplace:

List as rental property
Add to local area
Cross-post to relevant groups
Respond quickly to inquiries

Instagram:

Create property account
Use hashtags: #MilitaryHousing #BAH #PCS #[BaseName]
Post high-quality photos
Stories for virtual tours
Engage with military accounts

TikTok (Emerging):

Short property tours
"Day in the life" of your rental
Military-friendly features
Hashtags: #MilitaryTok #MilSpouse #PCS

Official Housing Offices:

Every military base has housing referral office
Service members often start here
Provides off-base listings
Trusted resource for families

Contact Base Housing Office

Find contact info on base website. Call or email to inquire about off-base housing program.

Complete Registration

Fill out landlord registration form. Provide property details, rental rates, photos.

Property Inspection (Some Bases)

Some bases inspect properties. Ensure property meets health/safety standards.

Get Listed

Property added to referral list. Service members searching receive your info.

Common Requirements:

Property within X miles of base (typically 20-30 miles)
Meets minimum habitability standards
Fair housing compliance
SCRA clause in lease
Reasonable rent (at or near BAH)

Benefits of Registration:

Official endorsement
Referred by housing office

Military community is tight-knit:

Service members trust peer recommendations
Families share housing experiences
Bad landlords blacklisted quickly
Good landlords recommended repeatedly
Word spreads fast in military circles

Provide Exceptional Service:

Quick responses to maintenance
Fair treatment
Understanding of military life
Flexibility with PCS timing
Go above and beyond

Ask for Referrals:

"If you know anyone PCSing here, I'd love a referral! I really enjoy working with military families."

Referral Incentives:

$100-$250 for successful referral
One month rent discount
Gift card
Reduced deposit for referred tenant

Stay Connected with Past Tenants:

Send holiday cards
Occasional check-in
LinkedIn connections
Ask for referrals when they PCS

When Tenant Gives Notice:

"Do you know anyone from your unit who might be interested in this property? Happy to give them first look."

Physical Postings:

Commissary bulletin boards
Exchange bulletin boards
Base libraries
Recreation centers
Chapel community boards

What to Post:

Flyer with photo
Property details
Rent amount (with BAH comparison)
Contact information
Tear-off tabs with phone number

Design Tips:

Eye-catching photo
Large, readable font
Key details prominent
"Military-Friendly!" headline
Professional appearance

Where to Post:

Coffee shops
Grocery stores
Gas stations
Restaurants popular with military
Gyms
Barber shops/salons

Get Permission First:

Ask manager if you can post
Offer to replace periodically
Leave business cards

"For Rent" Sign:

Professional sign (not handwritten)
Large, readable from street
Include: Phone number, "Military Welcome!"
Add "Move-In Ready" or "Available Now"

Set Up Business Profile:

Property management business
Or individual properties
Add photos
Get reviews
Shows in local search

Optimization:

Include "[City] military housing" in description
Add "near [Base Name]"
Update regularly
Respond to reviews
Post updates (available properties)

Create Simple Site:

Use Wix, Squarespace, or WordPress
Photo gallery
Property details
Virtual tour
Contact form
Testimonials from military tenants

SEO Keywords:

"Military housing near [Base]"
"[Base Name] BAH housing"
"PCS housing [City]"
"Military-friendly rentals"
"[Rank] housing [Base]"

URL: militaryhousing[cityname].com or similar

Build Email List:

Capture inquiries
Past tenants
Base housing office
Property tours

Send Updates:

When property available

Blog or Social Media Posts:

"Top 10 Things to Do in [City]"
"Best Schools Near [Base]"
"PCS to [Base]: What to Expect"
"BAH Rates for [Base] 2025"
"Military Family Resources in [City]"

Benefits:

Establishes expertise
Helps with SEO
Provides value to community
Builds trust
Shareable content

YouTube Channel:

Property tours
Neighborhood tours
"Drive to [Base]" videos
Tips for military renters
Testimonials

Virtual Tours:

3D Matterport tours
Video walkthroughs
Live virtual showings
Essential for remote PCS

Military Spouse Podcasts:

Offer to be guest
Share landlord perspective
Housing tips for PCS
Build credibility

Join and Engage:

Spouses clubs on base
Facebook groups
Coffee meet-ups
Volunteer events

Don't Hard Sell:

Build relationships first
Be genuinely helpful
Share expertise
Properties will come naturally

What They Are:

Unit family support organizations
Plan events, share information
Help during deployments

How to Connect:

Offer to sponsor event
Provide resources
Share housing info
Build goodwill

Join Local Chamber:

Business networking
Meet other landlords
Learn about community
Referral opportunities

Local REI Groups:

Network with other landlords
Share strategies
Learn from others
Potential partnerships

Ask Every Inquiry: "How did you hear about this property?"

Common Sources:

Online listing site
Facebook group
Base housing office
Referral (who?)
Yard sign
Other

Keep a Log:

Date of inquiry
Source
Converted to application? Y/N
Converted to lease? Y/N

For Paid Advertising:

Cost: $X
Inquiries: Y
Leases: Z
Cost per lease: $X / Z

Example:

Facebook ads: $100
Inquiries: 15
Leases: 2
Cost per lease: $50

Review Quarterly:

Which sources generated most inquiries?
Which converted best?
Which were free vs. paid?
Where should you invest more?

Optimize:

Stop what doesn't work
Increase what does work
Test new channels
Refine messaging

Week 1:

[ ] List on PCS Pal with military-optimized description
[ ] List on Zillow, Apartments.com
[ ] Post in 3-5 Facebook groups near base
[ ] Contact base housing office

Week 2:

[ ] Create Facebook Marketplace listing
[ ] Put up yard sign
[ ] Post flyers on base bulletin boards
[ ] Email past tenants for referrals

Week 3:

[ ] Optimize Google My Business
[ ] Create Instagram posts
[ ] Network in military spouse groups
[ ] Follow up on inquiries

Ongoing:

[ ] Respond to inquiries within 1 hour
[ ] Track all inquiry sources
[ ] Update availability status
[ ] Build relationships with military community

Listing Optimization
PCS Season Timing
Understanding Military Life
Pricing Strategy
Creating Your First Listing

Was this article helpful? Provide feedback

Trusted by service members

Often first point of contact

Free advertising

Stay Connected:

Update listing when vacant
Notify of rent changes
Respond quickly to referrals
Thank office for referrals
Be a good partner

Provide Feedback:

Let them know when property filled
Share positive tenant experiences
Report any issues
Maintain professional relationship

Benefits:

Zero vacancy gap possible
Pre-screened tenant
Smooth handoff
No advertising costs
Military vouch for you

Directional Signs:

If property not on main road
"For Rent →"
Check local ordinances

Base Newspapers:

Some bases have newspapers
Classified section
Often free or low cost
Military audience only

Community Papers:

Local newspapers near base
Weekly classifieds
Lower-cost option
Older demographic

Open house announcements

Military housing tips

Don't spam (1-2x/month max)

Search Properties
BAH Calculator
Safety Guide