Providing Great Service for Your Military Clients

Louisiana REALTORS® • May 11, 2023

When it comes to moving or finding a home, military personnel and their families frequently face specific difficulties, especially if they are being transferred to a different base or duty location. A qualified and skilled REALTOR® can be quite helpful in guiding military customers through the complexity of the housing market in this situation.


Understand Military Relocation

The unique requirements and difficulties associated with a military move should be known to REALTORS® who work with military customers. When it comes to housing allowances, perks, and other financial concerns that may be relevant to military families, they should be aware of the rules and regulations of the military.


Provide Local Knowledge

If your clients are relocating to an unknown area, military personnel and their families frequently have a limited amount of time to choose a new home or rental property. A REALTOR® who is educated about the neighborhood and the real estate market can offer insightful advice and assist customers in quickly narrowing their search.


Assistance with VA Loans

Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a loan program for veterans who want to buy a home. A real estate agent who is knowledgeable about the VA loan procedure may assist military customers in understanding their options, including eligibility criteria, loan restrictions, and other elements that may affect their ability to buy a property through this program.


Support Throughout the Home-Buying Process

Purchasing a home may be difficult, particularly for military families who may be juggling additional challenges resulting from their service. From choosing the ideal house to negotiating a fair price and navigating the closing process, a realtor with experience working with military clients can offer direction and help.


Help with Long-Distance Transactions

For clients stationed abroad or otherwise unable to be present in person for the transaction, military personnel and their families may need to buy or sell a home remotely. A REALTOR® with long-distance transaction knowledge can assist customers with managing the process remotely, including setting up virtual tours, remote inspections, and other crucial services.

 

Become a Military Relocation Professional

For real estate professionals who desire to work with active-duty and retired military personnel, the Military Relocation Professional (MRP) certification is required. The MRP certification program instructs REALTORS® on how to assist U.S. service members, their families, and veterans in locating the housing options that best suit their needs and in utilizing all of the resources and assistance that are available. In order to achieve these skills and this designation the following steps are required:

  • Complete the six-hour Military Relocation Professional (MRP) Certification core course either online(link is external)* or in a classroom(link is external) setting.
  • Pass the exam at the end of the core course with an 80% or better score (for the online course only).
  • Be a member in good standing of the National Association of REALTORS®
  • Submit the application fee online
  • Pay for the cost of the course (costs vary based on format and sponsor)
  • Pay the application fee ($195)

 

REALTORS® who specialize in working with military clients can provide invaluable assistance in helping military families find and purchase a home. By understanding the unique needs and challenges of military clients, providing local knowledge and support throughout the process, and helping clients navigate the complexities of the VA loan program, realtors can make the home-buying process much easier and less stressful for military members and their families.

REALTOR® Resources

2026 Legislative Session Scoop - Week 1 Recap

By Louisiana REALTORS® • March 13, 2026
Louisiana’s 2026 Regular Session opened this week with several developments that matter directly to REALTORS ®, property managers and housing providers, alongside some broader political shifts worth watching. HB 292: Security Deposit Return Timelines Rep. Delisha Boyd’s HB 292, which addresses procedures for returning residential security deposits, was deferred to next week. This provides additional time for stakeholders to engage with members on practical impacts for lease administration, move out inspections and documentation standards. We’ll continue working to ensure any changes to deposit law are clear, workable and do not expose housing providers to unreasonable liability. Land Use and Development: St. James Parish Decision The Louisiana Supreme Court’s recent St. James Parish decision significantly tightens the standards for overturning local land use decisions, reinforcing that zoning and permitting authority rests with parish and municipal governments as long as their decisions are not arbitrary or capricious. For real estate and development, that means more predictability if projects are aligned with adopted plans and ordinances, but also higher stakes in local elections, planning processes and parish-level negotiations. Governor’s State of the State In his State of the State address, Governor Jeff Landry reiterated his push to phase out the state income tax, expand the LA GATOR and MJ Foster scholarship and workforce programs, and replace vehicle inspection stickers with a QR code system. These programs frame a debate around long-term competitiveness, workforce readiness and household cost of living which are all key drivers of housing demand and migration patterns. Business & Market Trends The business community is focusing the session on insurance, workforce and energy. Commercial and property insurance costs remain a top concern for employers and property owners, and we are monitoring civil justice and insurance reform proposals that could affect market stability and availability. At the same time, Louisiana is seeing more than $100 billion in announced industrial and data center projects, which could reshape local markets, labor conditions and housing needs in multiple regions of the state. Please view the weekly bill tracking report at the link below provided by our lobbying team over at Harris, DeVille and Associates.
Louisiana real estate regulations are designed to protect consumers

How Real Estate Regulations and Recent Policy Updates Protect Louisiana Homebuyers

By Louisiana REALTORS® • March 11, 2026
Learn how Louisiana real estate regulations, disclosure laws, and licensing standards help protect homebuyers and create safer, more transparent transactions.

2025 Awards Nominations

By Louisiana REALTORS® • March 9, 2026
Nominations are open now through April 24, 2026, for the Louisiana REALTORS® 2025 REALTOR® of the Year & the 2025 Lawrence R. DeMarcay, Jr. Distinguished Service Award. Both awards are aimed to showcase an individual who has volunteered their time in service to the real estate industry. Recipients of the awards will be recognized during the Spring Legislative Conference. (Registration coming soon!) Please see the below links with the selection criteria and consider submitting a nomination today. Contact Donna Teekel at (225) 224-0704 or dteekel@larealtors.org with any questions.
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