How do I find a real estate agent who understands military moves and VA loans in Colorado Springs?
Short answer: Look for an agent who understands that a PCS is a relocation on a deadline, not just a home purchase. That means knowing real commute times to your building on base (not just to the gate), what VA loans require of a home, which lenders know VA loans well, and how to plan for your next set of orders, including whether the home would work as a rental. The MRP (Military Relocation Professional) certification shows an agent has training in military moves. Ask questions that reveal experience, too.
Why military moves are different
A PCS is a relocation, and it comes with its own dynamics. You have a report date, often a short window to find a home, and sometimes no chance to see it in person. So much is up in the air, and you're trying to create consistency quickly, for yourself or for your household. You want to know about the commute, the schools if they matter to you, the lifestyle, and how to get plugged in fast.
An agent who understands military moves can relate to that and help you make those decisions with confidence.
What an agent who understands military moves knows
Your commute ends at your building, not the gate
Choosing a home near a base is only part of the commute. There's a whole other distance from the front gate to wherever you work on base, and the gate you use matters.
At the Air Force Academy, for example, Air Academy High School and Douglass Valley Elementary are both on Academy grounds, and school staff, students, and parents enter through the South Gate. That traffic can back up the South Gate at certain times, so the North Gate may work very differently as part of your daily commute. DoD ID card holders can use either gate.
Routes differ by installation, too. If you're at Peterson or Schriever Space Force Base, you may be driving Powers Boulevard. Fort Carson is typically an I-25 commute. You just need to know these things before you choose a home. See how long typical commutes are in Colorado Springs.
The places your life revolves around
An experienced agent asks what you and your household like to do, then helps you understand how close a home is to those things.
When we've moved, I've always plotted out the nearest Costco, Trader Joe's, and Orangetheory Fitness, because those things mattered to me. We also looked for a pool where our daughter could swim. It didn't decide everything, but it helped me understand where we'd actually spend our time, because proximity was part of our quality of life. Some people choose a longer commute to be closer to the things they do. Others choose to be closer to work so the daily drive is easier. Those are the trade-offs you end up making, and it helps to make them on purpose.
What VA financing requires
A VA loan comes with its own details. An agent who understands military moves knows how the VA funding fee works and the breaks available with a larger down payment, and what to look for in a home so it meets VA minimum property requirements. They should also be able to recommend lenders who are well versed in VA loans. See how to choose a lender for a VA loan.
Planning for your next set of orders
Military buyers need honest conversations about what the market is doing, because orders can come sooner than expected. My guidance is to plan on holding a home for about five years, because you need time to build equity. If that's not your situation, think carefully before buying, or buy with the plan to rent it out when you leave.
That's where cash flow comes in. A good agent helps you look at a home as a potential rental from the start: the area, the likely rent, and the costs that affect your numbers, including metro district taxes and HOA dues. Kristen and I have rented out our own homes for about 20 years, and we share those lessons with clients so they're set up to do the same. We can also recommend property management companies.
Buying from a distance
Many PCS buyers can't be here to tour homes. An agent who understands military moves should be comfortable with video tours, remote inspections, and remote closings. See how to buy a Colorado Springs home from out of state.
What the MRP credential means
The Military Relocation Professional (MRP) certification from the National Association of REALTORS® trains agents to work with current and former service members, their families, and veterans, and to help them make full use of their benefits. The coursework covers how military relocation affects housing choices, including rent-or-buy and sell-or-rent decisions.
The MRP is a good baseline. It shows an agent has invested in training. Experience with actual military moves and VA purchases shows the rest.
Questions to ask when you interview agents
- How do you work with a PCS timeline? Listen for a clear plan built around your report date.
- What would my commute look like from this home to my building on base, and through which gate?
- What do you look for to make sure a home meets VA minimum property requirements?
- Which lenders do you work with who know VA loans well?
- If I get orders in three years, how would this home work as a rental? Listen for honest numbers, not reassurance.
- What is the market doing right now, and what does that mean for how long I should plan to stay?
How we recommend professionals
Team Hobbs Realty does not receive referral fees from the lenders, property managers, or other professionals we recommend, and we have no affiliated businesses or ownership in any of them. Our recommendations are based on experience working with them over time.
How I hold myself to these standards
I'm a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate and retired Air Force officer, and my family made more than 10 military moves. We bought homes from a distance, sold them on a deadline, and decided whether to keep them as rentals when orders came. I also hold the MRP certification. Hold me to every question on this page.
What could change the answer
Your needs depend on your situation: the length of your assignment, whether you're buying remotely, whether this is your first time using your VA benefit, and whether you might keep your current home as a rental. If you're retiring or separating, the plan may be about settling in for the long term instead of preparing for the next move.
When to talk with a professional
Talk with an agent and a VA-experienced lender as soon as you know you're coming to Colorado Springs, even before you have a report date. For questions about renting out your home or taxes on a future sale, a CPA can help.
If you're PCSing to Colorado Springs, let's plan your move around your timeline, from the commute to your building to what happens when your next orders come.
Related questions
- How do I choose a lender for a VA loan in Colorado Springs?
- Can I successfully buy a Colorado Springs home from out of state?
- Can I keep my Colorado Springs home as a rental and use my VA benefit again?
- Is there a VA loan limit in El Paso County?
- How do I find the best real estate agent in Colorado Springs?
- How long are typical commutes in Colorado Springs, and which areas work best for different job locations?
About the author
Weldon Hobbs is a Colorado Springs real estate professional and co-founder of Team Hobbs Realty, affiliated with The Platinum Group, REALTORS®. He is a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate and retired Air Force officer who made more than 10 military moves with his family. He holds an MBA and the PMP, Certified Financial Coach, SRES®, and MRP (Military Relocation Professional) credentials. He is not a loan officer and works alongside lenders experienced with VA loans.
Sources
- National Association of REALTORS®, Military Relocation Professional (MRP) Certification: https://www.nar.realtor/education/designations-and-certifications/military-relocation-professional-mrp
- United States Air Force Academy, Getting On Base: https://www.usafa.edu/visitors/getting-on-base/
- Academy District 20, Air Force Academy Base Access: https://www.asd20.org/military/air-force-academy-base-access/
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, VA funding fee and loan closing costs: https://www.va.gov/housing-assistance/home-loans/funding-fee-and-closing-costs/