Supporting Those Who Served: How Military Relocation Professionals Help Veterans and Active-Duty Families Find Their “Reel” Florida Home
By Jim Armstrong, Momentum Realty | Military Relocation Professional
Transitioning from military service to civilian life comes with both opportunity and challenge. For many veterans and active-duty families, that transition includes finding the right home — one that fits their lifestyle, needs, and future goals. That’s why I recently earned my Military Relocation Professional (MRP) certification — to better serve those who have served our country.
Why Northeast Florida Tops the List for Military Retirees
There are 1.58 million retired military personnel in the United States, and many choose to call Jacksonville and Northeast Florida home. The reasons are clear:
World-Class Health Care: Access to top VA and private medical facilities across the region.
Employment Opportunities: Strong post-military job markets supported by several nearby bases and Department of Defense contractors.
Higher Education Access: Quality universities and colleges for those looking to pursue further education after service.
From St. Augustine to Clay County to Jacksonville, the area offers the perfect blend of opportunity, community, and quality of life.
Financial Benefits: What You Should Know
One benefit that can make relocation smoother is the Dislocation Allowance (DLA).
This allowance helps cover miscellaneous expenses during a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move that other allowances don’t address.
Here’s what to know:
DLA is paid once per PCS move.
It’s based on rank and dependent status.
Most importantly this benefit can be requested in advance, helping offset house-hunting, moving, or even closing costs on your new home.
For many families, this early payment makes the transition faster and less stressful.
Grants for Wounded Warriors and Disabled Veterans
For those who have sustained injuries during service, there are powerful financial resources available:
Special Home Adaptation Grant (SHA): Up to $120,000 for modifying a home to meet accessibility needs.
Specially Adapted Housing Grant (SAH): Up to $24,000 for home adaptation.
Temporary Residence Adaptation Grants: Between $8,700 and $49,000, while waiting for permanent modifications to be completed.
These programs ensure every veteran has a safe, comfortable, and accessible place to call home.
My Mission: Helping Military Families Move with Confidence
After 28 years of federal service, I understand the structure, urgency, and complexity that come with a PCS move. That’s why I’m creating a PCS House Hunting Readiness Kit — a practical guide to help military families prepare for their next move. It covers what to bring, how to organize documents, and strategies to make your home purchase as smooth as possible.
Download it at RFL Guides
Final Thoughts
Becoming a Military Relocation Professional is more than a certification — it’s a commitment to helping veterans and military families find stability, comfort, and opportunity in their next chapter.
To every service member, veteran, and family — thank you for your service.
If you’re planning a move to Northeast Florida or starting your PCS transition, I’d be honored to guide you through it.
Jim Armstrong
Momentum Realty
📞 (904) 671-4161
🌐 ReelFloridaLiving.net
Beyond the Hype: 5 Data-Driven Reasons Northeast Florida is the Smartest Place to Buy a Home
Introduction: The Market is Stabilizing—Here’s Your Opportunity
After years of volatility, confusion, and uncertainty in the housing market, the data is finally showing clear signs of stabilization. This shift away from the frenzy of the recent past creates a unique window of opportunity for savvy buyers who know where to look. While some once-booming markets are now cooling, other regions that offer sustainable, long-term value are emerging as the smartest choices. For those planning their next chapter, particularly a retirement home, the data points directly to Northeast Florida, a region demonstrating the key indicators of sustainable growth—from strong migration to increasing inventory—without the speculative frenzy seen elsewhere.
1. The “New Normal” for Mortgage Rates Is Your Best Friend
After a period of sharp increases and unpredictability, mortgage rates have settled into a stable range, creating a more predictable environment for homebuyers. According to recent data, rates have been hovering around 6.31% for weeks, providing a “sweet spot” for buyers to re-enter the market. Looking ahead, the National Association of REALTORS® forecasts that rates will stabilize near 6% in 2025, establishing a “new normal.”
This stability is further supported by broader economic trends. A weakening job market recently prompted the Federal Reserve to implement its first rate cut after holding rates steady for three quarters, a move that is expected to help keep mortgage rates lower. While the Fed’s rate doesn’t directly set mortgage rates, it influences the broader cost of borrowing for banks, which typically leads to more favorable lending rates for consumers. This newfound stability is crucial; it removes the fear of missing out on a lower rate and allows prospective buyers to plan their finances with confidence, making it an ideal time to begin a home search.
2. Your Buying Power Just Got a Major Upgrade
Even a modest decrease in mortgage rates can have a significant impact on what you can afford. This increased purchasing power is a game-changer for many buyers, especially those in middle and upper-middle-income brackets, which often includes retirees.
Data from a recent Realtor.com® and National Association of REALTORS® collaboration illustrates this point perfectly. A buyer earning $100,000 annually can afford a 6.3% more expensive home if mortgage rates drop from 6.8% to 6.0%. This isn’t just a number on a spreadsheet; it’s the difference between a home with a small patio and one with a screened-in lanai for enjoying the Florida evenings, or the ability to choose a community with the water access or amenities you’ve worked your whole life to enjoy. For those looking for the perfect retirement home, this boost in buying power can make the difference between a good home and your dream home.
3. The South Florida Frenzy is Fading (And That’s Good News for You)
While headlines often treat the Florida real estate market as a single entity, the data tells a more nuanced story. Not all of Florida is booming, and that’s actually good news for discerning buyers. New data on home-purchase loan applications shows significant decreases in several major South Florida markets, including an 8.4% drop in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach area and an 11.6% decrease in the Naples-Marco Island area. In fact, five of the top ten metro areas with the largest application losses nationwide were in Florida.
This isn’t a sign of a failing market but rather a healthy and necessary correction. The speculative, overheated frenzy in South Florida is cooling off. This shift creates a powerful opportunity for buyers to find better long-term value in less crowded, more stable markets. Northeast Florida stands out as the ideal alternative, offering the coveted Florida lifestyle without the inflated prices and intense competition of its southern counterparts. This market rebalancing is pushing savvy buyers to look for regions that exhibit the foundational metrics of sustainable growth—metrics that perfectly describe Northeast Florida.
4. Northeast Florida Ticks All the “Housing Hotspot” Boxes
The National Association of REALTORS® has identified key economic and demographic factors that indicate which housing markets are poised to outperform in 2025. Northeast Florida aligns perfectly with these data-driven indicators, making it an attractive destination for homebuyers and retirees seeking both lifestyle and a sound investment. Key factors include:
Strong Net Migration: Areas with a strong influx of new residents demonstrate a desirable quality of life and benefit from increased housing demand. This trend is particularly evident in Northeast Florida’s Duval and St. Johns counties, which have consistently ranked among the state’s leaders for inbound moves, signaling a strong and sustained desire for the region’s quality of life.
More Homeowners Surpassing Average Tenure: Homeowners who have lived in their homes longer than the typical 16-year average are more likely to sell. This is a positive sign for inventory and is particularly relevant for retirees, who often fall into this category and can bring significant equity from a previous home sale and retirement benefits to fund their dream home purchase in a more affordable market like Northeast Florida.
Faster Job Growth: A robust job market is a sign of a stable and growing local economy. Northeast Florida’s burgeoning healthcare, finance, and logistics sectors are driving job growth that outpaces many other parts of the state, ensuring a resilient local economy that protects property values for all residents and better supports retirees.
While national trends provide a useful framework, it is this specific combination of local strengths that positions Northeast Florida as a particularly intelligent place to invest in a home.
5. More Choices Are Finally Hitting the Market
One of the biggest frustrations for buyers in recent years has been the severe lack of inventory. Fortunately, this trend is beginning to reverse. Housing inventory levels are gradually improving and are expected to increase further in 2025.
This welcomed easing of the “Lock-in Effect” is driven by two main factors: an increase in new construction projects and, just as importantly, more existing homeowners who are encouraged to sell by the stabilizing market conditions. For buyers—especially retirees who may be looking for a specific type of home with particular features for their next chapter—this is critical news. This means having the luxury of choice—to find a single-story layout that avoids stairs, a home with a guest suite for when the grandkids visit, or a property with less yard to maintain, allowing you more time to actually enjoy your retirement.
Conclusion: Your Window Is Open
The data paints a clear picture: the housing market is entering a new phase of stability and opportunity. Mortgage rates have found a sustainable new normal, buyers’ purchasing power has increased, and the market is shifting away from areas of speculative hype toward regions that offer genuine, long-term value. The overheated frenzy is giving way to a more rational market where smart decisions can be rewarded.
With the market finally offering more stability and choice, isn’t it time to look past the old hotspots and discover where your retirement dream can truly become a reality?
Written by Jim Armstrong on October 18, 2025.