Why Work with a Military Relocation Professional (MRP)?

Buying or selling a home is stressful enough for civilians, but there's an extra level of complication for military personnel. They may have to make a decision and close a deal on short notice. If they're buyers, they may not know much about their new community. They don't know how long they'll live in their new home before the next PCS.

If buying a home while on active duty, the buyer might not even be in town for open houses, the VA-approved inspections, and all the essential activities that lead up to a home sale. That's why they should strongly consider working with a Military Relocation Professional (MRP) such as the Military Home Search team. Keep reading to learn how MRPs can help military homebuyers.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.

What Is a Military Relocation Professional?

An MRP is a real estate agent who has demonstrated they understand the issues unique to military homeowners. To become an MRP, an agent has to be a member in good standing of the National Association of Realtors. They must complete the required MRP certification process, which includes an exam.

Many MRPs are military spouses, family members, or former service members themselves. Personal military connection or not, all are serious enough about military clients to invest the time and money required for certification.

Why Work with an MRP?

An MRP genuinely understands why a military home sale or military home purchase is different. Here are some of the benefits they offer.

• Language. For starters, they know the acronyms. No one has to explain to them what PCS, RAP, and BAH are. They're familiar with the Personally Procured Move Program (formerly DITY) and can help decide how best to use it.
• Benefit support. VA loans are available in most cases, and they increase buying power. An MRP can help evaluate the terms and recommend VA lenders.
• Decision support. For anyone thinking about buying, an MRP can help run the numbers to decide if buying is better than renting. Many are familiar with rental opportunities as well as homes for sale.
• Short timeline focus. They understand that a PCS buyer or seller needs to act quickly and is often in a solid position to help them. They can do all the legwork to find a house, write a purchase agreement, and negotiate the final terms in days.
• Boots on the ground. A buyer may have to commit to a home they've only walked through online. A seller may not complete the transaction before shipping out. Most service members can't fly back and forth for different steps in the process. An MRP can be there for inspections, repairs, and even closing if the buyer/seller can't make it.
• Local market knowledge. An MRP will know where the schools, parks, and amenities are in a neighborhood for a buyer. They'll understand the commute. They'll be familiar with the local market trends.
• Networking. Most MRPs have a network and know other MRPs throughout the country. They may be able to identify buyers coming into the old location or sellers leaving the new one. They generally know moving companies that understand military moves. They have access to tools and resources that are designed especially for MRPs.
• Thinking ahead. An MRP will look ahead to the next move, especially for a buyer. How easy will it be to sell the next time there's a PCS profitably? Will it be possible to turn the home into a rental property?

Choosing an MRP

Some real estate agents are better than others, and the same is true of MRPs. Here are two questions to help narrow down the choice.

• How many transactions have they closed for service members? This may be more important than how long they've been in business or how many overall home purchases they've handled. The more PCSs they've worked through, the more they understand all the ins and outs.
• What networks do they have? If they have a vast network of lenders, movers, and MRPs, both local and distant, they're in better shape to find help in the various circumstances that can arise.

Are You Looking for an MRP?

Buying or selling a home while on active duty is complex, but there's no reason to go it alone. A good MRP has been through many PCSs and can guide the way for anyone buying a home while in the military. Military members with relocation experience and first-time military homebuyers should both consider working with an MRP.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.