Military families get to know their realtors. When they form a strong relationship with an agent, they share the realtor’s information with family and friends. The military is like one big family. People move to the same base, become friends, separate when they get new orders and may relocate to the same base again.
Networking
It doesn’t matter if friends end up at the same base. They probably know someone who is currently stationed at Ft. Eisenhower or has lived there in the past. These individuals will happily provide the name of the realtor they used for their military relocation. All you have to do is ask. Military families understand the challenges of moving because they do so frequently. However, don’t overlook online referrals when making this selection. They are an excellent source of information during a move.
Talk with Agents
Once you have a few names of agents to consider, reach out to each person on the list. Schedule a call with each agent and reserve at least 15 minutes. Having time to get to know one another and ask all questions is essential. Agents who have worked with military families won’t find this request unusual. They want to help you find the right home, so you will share their information with family and friends who may move to the area.
When talking with each agent, ask about their experience with military relocations and their business practices. Pay attention to their demeanour. Are they willing to answer questions and help clients rent or buy a house? When talking with each agent, discuss your priorities when it comes to a home and provide this with the expected timeline for your arrival. Learn whether they work independently or with a team and ask about their network of professionals, as these professionals may be needed to help close a deal.
What Not to Ask
Military members may have questions they want the real estate to answer and become disappointed when they can’t or won’t provide these answers. People must understand that agents cannot legally answer certain questions as they must comply with fair housing laws. They can’t share information about who lives in a neighbourhood because doing so could be considered stereotyping or discrimination. Many websites today can provide the demographics for different cities or areas with cities. Use those to gather more information.
These sites can also be used to learn whether a neighbourhood is safe, or people may contact the local police department to gather this information. Finally, real estate agents cannot provide information on local schools, but they can help buyers learn where to turn for information. Niche.com and School Digger are two sites’ parents might use to get more information.
Buying or renting a home can be stressful. When military members relocate to a new area, this process can be more challenging. They may not have the opportunity to visit homes before deciding, so they need a trusted agent to help with this task.
Look for an agent who regularly works with military families to make the process easier. Receiving orders and being required to relocate comes with enough stress. Finding the right residence shouldn’t make it more challenging. The right agent will do everything possible to ensure a home is found and the move is simplified.