Finding a home is not just about the house; it's about making the right investment. For military personnel, this choice often comes with limited information and time.
Enter Debbie Meyer, a realtor and military relocation professional with Berkshire Hathaway, who assists service members relocating to Sarpy County and the Omaha Metro.
"They're relying on me to be boots on the ground for them, and I take that very seriously," says Meyer. "I'm not here to sell someone a home but to help them get a good investment."
Since 2010, Meyer has served over 400 active and retired military members, with 90% of her transactions involving military personnel.
Her dedication stems from a family history of military service. Her paternal grandfather served in the Navy in World War II’s Pacific Theater. At the same time, her maternal grandparents were spies in the Philippines, a time that included her grandfather's survival of the Bataan Death March.
As a part of her upbringing, hearing stories of both the men and women serving along with the adversity and sacrifices made by everyone inspires her to do her best for military members.
"Most people say 'thank you for your service' to just the military person, but it's the whole family. So, for me to find someplace they can call home and be comfortable is a special thing for me," Meyer explains.
And she’s teaching that appreciation to the next generation as Meyer now works alongside her daughter, Joele Engel.
“It is so rewarding to help and guide Joele, the next generation of our family in real estate,” says Meyers. “She has learned the special challenges active duty and those utilizing VA financing have and how to navigate those for a smoother transaction for our VA clients. It also means so much to help her find her special strengths and niche.”
These unique challenges include tight schedules, financial considerations, and finding the right community.
"It's a hurry up and wait situation, where they want to be prepared, but until their hard orders drop, they don't want to get into a contract," she explains, offering video calls to help potential buyers view properties while they await their final relocation orders.
Meyer also dispels myths about VA financing, citing Ellie Mae data showing higher average closing success rates than conventional mortgages.
As a member of the Offutt Advisory Council, Meyer proudly shares, "One of the recurring themes is that our community here gives more support to the members of our base than most communities." The Omaha Metro was named a Great American Defense Community in 2023.
To help military families settle in, Meyer also provides a monthly events calendar, a perk she says many appreciate and use to get involved.
"When it comes time to leave, they are surprised to find they enjoyed their time here," she says, adding that many even retire in the Omaha Metro. “It says a lot for our community that they would choose our location to retire and finish raising their kids and grandkids versus where they come from.”
omahahothomes.com
402-320-7916