If you’re a member of the military, you know the importance of making a move quickly, efficiently, and with as little fuss necessary for you and your family. Getting settled comfortably and quickly into a new community is a frequent and important part of the military lifestyle.

As a former Marine and one who has experienced military moves in the past, I was excited for the opportunity of earning a VAMRES certification to my real estate broker’s license, to enable me to be a resource to relocating military personnel. It’s a great opportunity to serve those who serve!

A VAMRES-certified broker (VA Military Relocation Specialist) has the expertise and experience necessary to help you navigate some of the more finer-tuned components of a military move, and the ability to refer you to VAMRES-recommended Loan Expert.

Interested? Here are 5 steps to buying your new home with a VA Military Relocation Specialist team (VAMRES Realtor and Home Loan Expert):

1. Determining eligibility – connect with your VAMRES Agent and Home Loan expert to get your eligibility quickly and identify the kinds of loans for which you qualify. Many times you can use your VA loan eligibility to purchase your home with no money down (and you can use your entitlement more than once).
2. Viewing, selecting, and inspecting the home – locate an experienced VAMRES Realtor who is well-connected the local real estate market and can help you find the best neighborhood and home for you. With VetMove.com,  you may also quality for a free home inspection!
3. Requesting the loan – work closely with your Loan Expert to get pre-approval before submitting an offer. In a hot market, this is a big advantage!
4. Appraising the property – Once your offer is accepted, your VAMRES Home Loan Expert will order the appraisal and start the full loan process.
5. Closing the sale – Your VAMRES Home Loan Expert and Realtor will help you navigate the process and confirm the closing transaction once your loan has been approved.

The Puget Sound area is home to a number of military bases, including the Bremerton Naval Shipyard and Joint Base Lewis McChord, covering the span of Pierce, Thurston, and Kitsap Counties. There are many fine communities and neighborhoods in these counties, and I’d be happy to show you around!

Doug Lawrence is a certified broker with Keller Williams Realty in Gig Harbor, WA.

Photo credit: Stuart Miles and freedigitalphotos.com