A significant shift in seller attitudes toward VA loans is highlighting important changes in Florida’s real estate market, according to military relocation specialist Victoria Perez of Tropic Shores Realty LLC. The move from widespread VA loan rejection to broader acceptance is expanding opportunities for military families across the region.
“Previously, especially when I first started in real estate, so many sellers were scared of accepting an offer with a VA loan because they thought it was just so difficult to close. But the truth is, it’s not,” said Perez, who has specialized in military relocations for eight years after experiencing military life firsthand as an army spouse.
The Florida real estate market has experienced a notable transformation in VA loan acceptance over the past several years, with sellers becoming more educated about different loan products. This shift has removed a significant barrier that once limited military families’ housing options and negotiating power.
According to Perez, several preferences are shaping the current military buyer market. Military families are prioritizing value over proximity, often choosing to commute up to 45 minutes to MacDill Air Force Base rather than pay higher prices in Tampa. “Military families when they’re relocating to MacDill Air Force Base, they will call me to relocate to Hernando County or Pasco County or even Citrus County, which is very rural and much less expensive to buy their home instead of buying it in Tampa.”
Cost-consciousness drives decision-making more than convenience, with families seeking “more bang for your buck” in outlying counties. The willingness to trade commute time for housing value marks a shift in military family priorities, especially as housing costs have increased nationwide.
Timing flexibility remains important, with military families operating under both planned and last-minute relocation scenarios. “Sometimes it’s Go, go, go, and sometimes it’s very last minute, and sometimes months and months ahead,” Perez explained, noting the unpredictable nature of military moves.
Perez noted that military buyers are increasingly prioritizing affordability and space rather than urban amenities. Families can secure “a beautiful three bedroom, two bath, single family home” for $300,000 to $350,000, with new construction available under $400,000.
“I get a lot of phone calls from people up north saying, I’ve seen these houses for $300,000 to $400,000, is that correct? Absolutely correct. You can find a beautiful home between $300,000 and $400,000 in Hernando County. You could even buy a brand new construction home for less than $400,000,” she explained.
The preferences of military families are particularly influential in changing market dynamics, Perez says. Agent education has played a key role in this transformation, with real estate professionals becoming more knowledgeable about VA loan benefits and processes.
“Thankfully, recently, I’ve noticed over the last couple of years that sellers are a lot more open to it. And I think that’s because agents are educating their sellers and saying, here are the different loan products, here’s what it means if you receive an offer from each one of these.”
This educational shift has practical implications for military families, who no longer face the widespread rejection of their offers that characterized earlier market conditions.
For those looking to appeal to today’s military buyers in the Florida market, Perez offered practical advice about embracing VA loans as legitimate financing options. The key is understanding that VA loans, despite their reputation, are actually “one of the best loan products they have out there.”
Real estate professionals should focus on educating sellers about the reliability and benefits of VA financing, rather than perpetuating outdated stigmas. This approach opens markets to a significant buyer pool while providing military families with fair access to housing.
Looking ahead, Perez predicts continued growth in military family relocations to cost-effective areas like Hernando County, particularly as new developments such as the 2,500-unit Sandal Key project attract families seeking affordable housing with resort-style amenities.
“It’s going to draw in quite a bit of family, similar to what Epperson did in Wesley Chapel. So we’re looking for quite a bit of influx of people moving into the county based on that new community,” she said.
Victoria Perez is a Military Relocation Professional at Tropic Shores Realty LLC. With eight years of experience in real estate, she specializes in working with military families and veterans. Her personal military experience, including five years living overseas in Germany during her husband’s army service, gives her unique insight into military family needs during relocations.
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