Whether you’re in the military and you’re going to be moving, you’re married to someone in the military, or perhaps you’re a real estate professional, and you want to expand your client base, knowing what a Military Relocation Professional is can be helpful. This can be an important component of finding an agent experienced in working with military families, for example.
Below we talk more about what a Military Relocation Professional is and what you should generally know about this credential.
An Overview of a Military Relocation Professional
Also known as an MRP, the Military Relocation Professional certification is available to real estate professionals who would like to work with current and former military service members. This is a certification for licensed Realtors.
When an agent gets their MRP designation, they’re been educated in how to best serve the needs of military members and veterans as they find housing solutions. What’s unique about working with an MRP is that they also understand how servicemembers and veterans can take full advantage of any and all benefits available to them.
There are programs for both U.S. realtors and professionals who work in real estate internationally.
A Military Relocation Professional is someone who is specialized in military real estate, so they can help you if you’re looking for homes at a new base, as an example. These professionals have a deep understanding of best practices as far as they relate to military moves.
The Benefits of Working with MRPs
Some of the many benefits of working with MRPs include:
- These are professionals with in-depth knowledge and expertise regarding military moves. Regular agents and realtors without this understanding may not be well-suited to working with military members and their families. Military relocation professionals understand how moves can impact members and their families and what the less direct implications can be.
- There are a lot of logistics that apply to a military move that don’t apply to civilian moves. For example, there’s something called a Dislocation Allowance that may be available, which could reimburse you for some of the costs of relocation under certain circumstances.
- These real estate specialists can help with the extra paperwork that’s often required as part of military moves.
- Working with an MRP means you’re going to have access to someone who thoroughly knows the market. You may be moving across the country. You could have a short amount of time available before you need to go from temporary lodging to permanent housing, so having someone on the ground with a deep knowledge of the area is essential.
- There’s a lot of jargon in military real estate that isn’t part of the civilian world. For example, there’s the leave and earnings statement (LES), basic allowance for housing (BAH), and the dislocation allowance (DLA). As you can imagine, working with an agent who doesn’t know these terms could be detrimental to you.
How Does Someone Become An MRP?
Anyone currently a realtor is eligible to take the certification course required to become an MRP.
There are some requirements. First, you have to be in good standing with the National Association of Realtors. You also have to pay for and then subsequently complete the Military Relocation Professional Certification Core Course.
You have to complete two webinars—“Bringing Military Families Home with MILLIE” and “Understanding VA Home Loans with David Patek.” Once you’re ready to take it, you have to score at least an 80% on your end-of-course exam.
Then, you submit an application for certification, which includes a required application fee.
There’s a distinction to make between a designation and a certification.
To earn a designation, you have to go through a more intensive, longer process. It’s more expensive too. A certification costs less and takes less time, and if you’re already a member of the National Association of Realtors, this is all you should need.
When you’re a Military Relocation Professional, you can provide information that helps your clients whether they’re renting, buying, or selling. You’ll also be able to explain the basics of VA financing, and you get access to marketing and tools available only to members.
If you’re a veteran or military member, choosing an MRP can be an excellent way to help you narrow down a larger potential pool of real estate agents to work with. When you’re interviewing potential realtors, along with asking about the MRP certification, you should also ask them about their specific experience working with service members and their families.