Calm guidance for
career-defining moves.
I'm Diane Hibbs. I help pilots think through major housing decisions so they can move forward with clarity and confidence. The biggest question is rarely where to buy. It's whether to move at all, and when. That's where I help, before the house ever enters the picture.
The Strategic Decision
The decision above every house decision
Before choosing a neighborhood or comparing mortgage rates, every pilot faces a bigger question: move to base, or keep commuting? The financial and lifestyle trade-off is real, and the right answer depends on your situation, your seniority, your family, and what you actually want from the next chapter. I walk through both sides honestly, because for some pilots the best advice is to stay put.
Living in base is a revenue position
Short-call premiums, last-minute trips, and open time that commuters physically cannot capture. These compound over a career.
The commute has a daily cost
Non-rev flying means you never know if you are getting on a flight. You arrive early, give yourself options, and accept the mental load of that uncertainty every trip. Most pilots underestimate the grind until they live it.
Some commuters are right to stay put
Not every pilot needs to move. The analysis is personal, and an honest advisor will tell you when staying put makes more sense.
How I Help
Wherever you're based, start with a conversation. It's never too early to start thinking it through.
New to the airline
The first move is the biggest one. Reserve, base, commute, and a brand-new schedule all at once. Before you sign anything or commit to a city, we talk through what actually fits the life you're stepping into.
Trading bases
A base trade resets everything: where you live, how you commute, what your days look like. I help you think it through before you list, buy, or uproot, so the move is a decision you made on purpose, not one you reacted to.
The in-base question
Live in base or keep commuting. It's the call underneath every other one, and it's worth real money and real quality of life on both sides. I'll walk you through the honest trade-offs for your situation, not the generic version.
Anywhere the job takes you
You don't have to figure out who to trust in a new city. Wherever you're headed, I stay involved and make sure you're taken care of, start to finish. One conversation with me covers every move, no matter where it lands.
Pilot Base Trading Hub
The community where pilots share intel on base trades, commutes, housing, and life at every base. Real conversations with pilots who have been there.
Join the GroupWhat Clients Say
Real feedback from real clients
"Diane is truly an outstanding realtor! From the moment I reached out while planning our move to Texas from out of state, she made the entire process feel smooth and stress-free. Her knowledge of the local areas was incredibly helpful, and thanks to her guidance, we found our dream home. Diane went above and beyond every step of the way, and what started as a professional relationship quickly turned into a lasting friendship. We're so grateful for her!"
KT
Captain's spouse, relocated from San Francisco to Houston
"Diane went above and beyond to help my family and I find the right place to call home. She is very responsive, listens to specific needs, and works quickly. 10/10"
TC
New First Officer, military-to-airline transition
Neighborhood Guides
Every airline base, explored
Houston (IAH)
Diane's home base. Deep seniority, no state income tax, affordable housing.
Chicago (ORD)
the Midwest fortress. Strong trip quality and international flying.
Newark (EWR)
The transatlantic gateway. Premium international trips and widebody operations.
San Francisco (SFO)
The Pacific gateway. Asia-Pacific routes, highest-cost base in the system.
Denver (DEN)
Fast-growing Mountain West hub. Outdoor lifestyle, 300 days of sunshine.
Los Angeles (LAX)
West Coast anchor with strong international operations.
Washington Dulles (IAD)
Transatlantic hub with top-ranked Northern Virginia schools.
Las Vegas (LAS)
No state income tax, affordable housing, growing 737 base.
Orlando (MCO)
Florida tax advantage with year-round warmth and Central Florida lifestyle.
Cleveland (CLE)
Lower cost of living, Lake Erie lifestyle, compact efficient airport.
eXp Realty
ICON Agent
About Diane
One of you, not one of them
Jim is an airline captain based at IAH. He commuted from Shreveport for two years before we decided to build our life in Houston together. I moved from Phoenix. He moved from Shreveport. We both chose base. I help other pilots work through the same strategic decision with clarity and confidence.
My background in medicine trained me to listen carefully, analyze systematically, and guide calmly under pressure. Real estate is the same discipline, applied to different stakes. I bring analytical rigor to what is often a career-defining decision.
Start Here
Thinking about a move?
Whether you are a new hire heading to your first base, a captain trading bases, or a commuter ready to reconsider, I will walk through the decision with you clearly and without pressure.
Every base covered
Whether you are moving to Houston or any other base, I guide pilots through the full decision: financial analysis, neighborhood selection, commute assessment, and the strategic thinking that comes before any house search.
Interactive Tools
Make the numbers work for you
Calculators, checklists, and comparison tools built specifically for the decisions pilots actually face.
Base Trade Decision Calculator
See what commuting really costs you in time
Cost of Living Comparison
Compare housing, taxes, and expenses
Housing Budget Calculator
What your budget buys at each base
Base Trade Checklist
Step-by-step move planning
Relocation Timeline
What to do and when
Which Base Is Right for You?
Interactive quiz for base fit