By Thomas Carroll, REALTOR ®
Service members have unique needs and considerations when it comes to real estate. If you are a service member or veteran it is important that your agent understands a few things.
TRUST
Trust is first and foremost when choosing an agent if you are in the military. You will likely be in situations where you cannot view properties, cannot attend closings or may have periods of time where you cannot even make contact with your agent. It is critical that you have someone on your side that you trust will put your wellbeing first in navigating this process. During my time in the military, I bought and sold homes in both North Carolina and Maryland while stationed in South Korea. I could not have done that without people I trusted looking out for me back in the United States.
QUICK TO REACT
Moves happen quick and permissive TDY does not last long. As a member of the military, you are often only given 10 days to find a place to live, a decision that most people take a few months to make. You need an agent that understands the urgency and will to prioritize you to meet your timeline, especially in Maryland because homes move quick!
Having an agent with knowledge about the local area is critical when things are moving quickly. You don’t need an agent trying to educate themselves while they should be finding a place for you to live.
EXPERIENCE WITH VA LOANS
VA Loans are a great tool, but they are different from conventional mortgages. Your agent needs to understand this, not just so they can help you navigate the process, but also so that they can effectively negotiate with the agent on the other side of the transaction. The contingencies surrounding financing are a critical in evaluating and comparing offers. It is a major factor in the decisions that sellers make and you need an agent that knows how to advocate for what you bring to the table.
CONCLUSION
As a member of the military, it really helps to have an agent that understands your situation and knows the local area. As a veteran, REALTOR ® and Maryland native I’m in a unique position to help you as you PCS to and from any of the Maryland’s military bases. So, if you are going to or from Fort Meade, Fort Detrick or maybe even Aberdeen contact me today and we will get started!