Working in real estate is both exciting and competitive, especially in today’s hot market! As such, many real estate agents are finding themselves on the lookout for something to give them an edge over their competitors.
If you are a real estate agent looking to differentiate yourself from the rest, becoming a military relocation professional (MRP) is a great way to tap into a high-demand market. Also referred to as military real estate agents, MRPs living near a military installation never find themselves short of clients.
This is because service members and their families are ordered to go through a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) every 1-4 years. Therefore, military relocation professionals are always sought-after for their expertise in assisting military families in finding, securing and settling into a new home.
Whether you are a seasoned real estate agent or someone simply thinking about breaking into the industry, there are some simple steps you need to take in order to become a military real estate agent. Let’s review the importance of MRPs and, at any stage in your real estate career, how to become one!
What is an MRP?
A military relocation professional (MRP) is a specialized military real estate agent tasked with helping service members and their families find homes near their new base. Since MRPs are trained in the world of military real estate, they also can help military families navigate the moving process and standard industry practices.
Why We Need Military Relocation Professionals
There is a lot about military relocation that is different from civilian relocation. There are other processes, regulations, listings, questions and barriers that military members have to face when it is time to PCS. As such, MRPs are very valuable assets in assisting military families during their relocation process.
1. MRPs Have In-Depth Knowledge of Military Moves
Current or future military members need the expertise of military relocation professionals because they will ideally understand their thought processes and concerns (whether it’s through direct experience or dedicated research).
For this reason, many milspouses end up becoming military relocation professionals. This is an excellent career for someone who has intimate knowledge of military moves and how they can affect military members and their families. Having lived the life, milspouses are well-equipped to handle the logistics and provide support.
Want to get a head start on learning about the different types of military moves? Check out our article PCS Military Move in 2023: Complete PCS Guide for more insight.
2. MRPs Can Answer Military Relocation Questions
People who need military real estate help will be asking different questions than the average civilian. Questions such as, “Does the military pay for relocation?” will often arise, and these inquiries require specialized knowledge and personalized answers. This is one question among many that are unique to military families and will often appear for military relocation professionals to answer.
3. They Can Help with Military PCS Paperwork
When it comes to military relocation, there are a lot of rules regarding weight allowance, reimbursement, items people are or are not allowed to bring, and more. With these rules comes more paperwork than there is when civilians choose to move.
PPM Submission Checklist
The Personally Procured Move (PPM) checklist will help potential future clients make sure that they have all the required documentation to submit to the personal property office before going into the logistics of their move.
ATF Form 6
If a military member needs to import firearms, ammo or other weapons into the U.S., this form will have to be filled out and submitted to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This form is significant, as it ensures military real estate clients are not accidentally breaking laws by bringing weapons back into the United States.
DD1351-2 Travel Voucher
The Travel Voucher must be filled out in order for someone to receive reimbursement for expenses related to their military move. This form must be delivered to the finance office. Conveniently, some installations now have virtual forms to make the process more streamlined, but military clients still may need help making sure everything is completed correctly.
SF1038 Advance of Funds Application (PPM)
When choosing the PPM route, military members can complete the SF1038 Advance of Funds Application. By submitting the form, they request a monetary advance to assist them with all of the expenses anticipated throughout their move. They’ll need to complete this form and submit it to the finance office in advance to ensure they receive the potential funds in time.
4. They Are the Boots on the Ground
Unlike in cases of civilian real estate, military families can’t just visit an open house every weekend until they find the home they like. This is because they are preparing to move across the country, and this type of travel just isn’t possible. In cases where permanent housing cannot be secured before they move, service members are often placed in temporary housing until they can find their PCS home.
Therefore, service members often rely on their military relocation professionals to serve as their boots on the ground and scout out the area before they arrive. Since MRPs have in-person knowledge of the area, they can gather the military member’s preferences and find homes within those parameters.
5. They Know Military Real Estate Jargon
Typical real estate jargon isn’t easy to remember or understand on its own. Throw in military real estate terms, and it becomes even more complicated. When you try to get into the world of military real estate, there are tons more acronyms and phrases that you’ll need to be able to keep up with.
Things like LES (leave and earnings statement), BAH (basic allowance for housing), and DLA (dislocation allowance) will be imperative for clients to be informed about in layman’s terms. In addition to MRPs being a convenient expert for military members to have on their side, they are also essential to a seamless homebuying process.
Who Can Become a Military Relocation Professional?
Becoming a military relocation professional is pretty straightforward once you know the requirements and steps involved. In short, anyone who is currently a realtor can take a certification course to become a military relocation professional. If you haven’t obtained your real estate professional license yet, you’ll need to complete that crucial step before you can move on to becoming an MRP.
More Like This: Both MRPs and military members can benefit from knowing How to Spot & Protect Yourself from Real Estate Scams.
Steps To Become a Military Relocation Professional
- Be in good standing with the National Association of REALTORS®.
- Pay for and complete the Military Relocation Professional (MRP) Certification Core Course.
- Complete the “Bringing Military Families Home With MILLIE” and “Understanding VA Home Loans With David Piatek” webinars.
- Score 80% or higher on the end-of-course exam.
- Submit the online application for certification and pay the application fee.
Hot Tip: You can become an AHRN Certified Military Agent right here on our site from the convenience of your home. By signing up as an MRP on AHRN, you will receive real-time inbound leads from PCSing military clients and a real estate agent marketing resource page, among many other beneficial features. Learn more about how to get started here.
Take The First Step!
Congrats! Now, you’re well on your way to becoming a military relocation professional and helping hundreds of military members and their families during hectic military moves. With the help of AHRN’s expansive military real estate listings, you can place your focus where it really matters and let us do the heavy lifting.