We want to keep you updated on some of the efforts we are making to mobilize various entities. We need your continued support by asking your friends to make their feelings known on this forum. This letter is to a regional chairman of the Mortgage Bankers' Association.

Hi ,

This is Joe Gladden, VR SAM® (Veteran Realty Serving America’s Military, Inc.). Our friend suggested I email you in regard to a concept that we believe has import to the Mortgage Bankers Association, as well as a number of other Trade Associations, non- profits, and most certainly our Military Families.

VR SAM® is a partnership of retired military officers and spouses who serve Military Families real estate needs in the NOVA area. Since we have experienced more military moves that we care to remember, we are very aware of the unique challenges our Military Families face. We also work with a number of other Federal Agency employees such as CIA, FBI, NCIS, etc. As such, we are keenly aware of the dramatic differences in home owner benefits / assistance provided to these other agencies compared to our uniformed military personnel. In most cases employees of the other agencies receive substantial reimbursement of their settlement costs and have a safety net (buyout) of sorts when they are forced to sell their home in a down market. This has always been the “elephant in the room” for Military Families. Everyone is aware of it, but no one is willing to take it on. We see daily the great pain our Military Families are experiencing in this current down market. It forces them to make very hard, painful decisions such as foreclosure, leaving their families behind, or just leaving the military!

I invite you to click on the two links below to see examples of pain our Military Families are experiencing:
http://vrsam.conforums.com/
http://vrsam.blogspot.com/

We believe our Military Families who make great sacrifices to serve our country should have parity in benefits with their fellow Federal Employees. We believe they should not be shut out of the American Dream they defend. We believe that there are cost effective ways to make this happen. Furthermore, we believe that it is in the best interest in the many trade associations in the real estate industry to support this concept. We believe that the Military market represents the single largest professional group of “potential” real estate transactions in the world…and we should open the door to allow them to realize that potential while meeting their needs.

I have attached a detailed article written for, and published by, military.com several months ago. It proposes how we could make such a program work. Imagine what a 30% increase in Military buyers would do to turn this market around…and how it would benefit the entire economy as a whole!

We are looking for organizations who want to get on board this “win” for the industry, “win” for the government and taxpayers…and huge “win” for our deserving Military Families. I would look forward to discussing this further with you or any appropriate members of the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I can be reached at: 703 754-3036 or C: 703 585-3305. Email: homesformilitary@vram.com

Sincerely,
Joe Gladden
Managing Partner, VR SAM®