I'm PCSing this summer. Do I have to move into my new home right away to use my VA loan?

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Short answer: generally yes, but the VA builds in flexibility for military families. A VA loan must be used to buy a primary residence, and the standard rule is that you occupy the home within 60 days of closing. That said, PCS orders and deployments are exactly the kind of situation the VA anticipated: Spouse occupancy: If you can't occupy the home yourself because of active-duty status, your spouse can certify occupancy on your behalf, which satisfies the requirement. Delayed occupancy: If you have a specific, documented reason you can't move in right at 60 days (finishing out a lease, waiting on report-date timing, minor repairs), your lender can evaluate approving a later occupancy date case by case. None of this means you can't get a purchase moving before your report date. It just means your loan file needs a clear plan for who is occupying the home and when, especially if there's a gap between closing and your move. Gene can walk through your PCS timeline with you and structure the file so the occupancy piece is handled correctly from the start.