Whether it’s a PCS across the country or one to a nearby duty station, military moves often mean buying or selling a home. Military moves can also be under tight timelines and with unique circumstances.
That’s where a Military Relocation Professional (MRP) can make all the difference.
What Is a Military Relocation Professional?
A Military Relocation Professional is a real estate professional who’s completed specialized training through the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). The designation equips them to serve the unique needs of military members, veterans, and their families, especially in the logistics of buying or selling property during a PCS move.
MRPs learn about:
- PCS and TDY timelines and their impact on the home search and sale process.
- VA loan eligibility and benefits and how to navigate them smoothly.
- Local market trends, helping identify homes that fit common military priorities.
MRPs understand that military families don’t just move differently; they have unique needs that set them apart from the general population.
Why Should Military Members Choose an MRP When Buying a Home?
Buying a home while moving across the country or trying to beat the clock to deployment or training cycles can make things more complicated. A Military Relocation Professional can be a great resource because they’re trained to simplify the process.
1. MRPs Know How to Work with the VA Loan
VA loans are one of the best benefits available to service members and veterans, but they come with specific requirements. An MRP is equipped to guide buyers through these steps, from ensuring properties meet VA appraisal standards to communicating with lenders who are experienced in VA financing.
This knowledge can save buyers time, stress, and even money by avoiding common pitfalls that delay closings or complicate offers.
2. MRPs Know How to Navigate a PCS Timeline
MRPs understand the urgency of a military move and know how to manage timelines, whether that means scheduling virtual tours, negotiating flexible closing dates, or coordinating with additional offices to ensure a smooth handoff.
If you’re house hunting from another state or even overseas, they can be your “boots on the ground,” offering virtual walkthroughs and updates so you can make confident decisions from afar, as house-hunting leave isn’t always possible.
3. MRPs Understand Military Lifestyle Needs
MRPs are trained to help clients balance investment considerations with other concerns such as proximity to the base, convenience to local attractions, highly rated schools, and family activities.
They know that buying a home can be a long-term investment. Some military buyers plan to turn their primary residence into a rental investment property, maintaining homeownership for many years to come. Others plan to sell when their next set of orders comes in two to three years.
Photo by fizkes from Getty Images via Canva.com
Why Should Military Members Choose an MRP when selling a Home?
In the same ways that military life complicates buying a home, it adds layers to selling. Here’s how a Military Relocation Professional can smooth the process.
1. MRPs Know Military Homebuyer Behavior
Because MRPs work closely with military families, they understand how service members shop for homes. They know what they prioritize, what questions they ask, and what features appeal most. That insight can help you position your home to attract the right buyers, whether they’re relocating to the area or simply using VA financing.
2. MRPs Handle Fast Turnarounds
An MRP knows how to market a property efficiently to meet a PCS deadline. From pricing the home correctly to staging it to appeal online, they can move fast without cutting corners. They are also well-versed in remote closings or power of attorney situations, which are common in military transactions.
3. MRPs Have Military-Friendly Connections
Many Military Relocation Professionals work with networks of trusted professionals, from VA lenders to inspectors, movers, and title companies who get the unique nature of military moves. That means less time hunting down vendors to keep your home sale on track.
What Sets a Military Relocation Professional Apart?
All real estate agents assist with buying and selling, but MRPs specialize in personalized service built around the realities of military life.
Most are more than their job. Many are passionate about advocating for their military clients, often drawing on their own experience being part of the military community, whether as a veteran, military spouse, or family member. That shared experience fosters trust and makes communication easier, especially when orders change suddenly or the stress of relocation sets in.
How to Find a Military Relocation Professional
When interviewing potential agents, ask:
- Have you assisted other military families buying or selling a home during a PCS move to or from this area?
- How familiar are you with VA loan transactions?
- How comfortable are you with remote home searches or sales?
Asking these questions can ensure that you partner with someone truly equipped to handle your situation, not just someone who advertises credentials.
Partnering with a Military Relocation Professional means working with someone who gets it. They’re familiar with the deadlines, paperwork, and the complex layers of buying and selling a home while moving.
Whether you’re buying your first home with a VA loan or selling a home during your next PCS move, an MRP can help you make confident, informed decisions every step of the way.
