MADISON, N.J., March 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/
-- Realogy Holdings Corp. (NYSE:
RLGY), the largest full-service residential real estate services
company in the United States, and
PCSgrades, a ratings and review platform focused on real estate and
relocations for military and veteran families, conducted a new
survey that found 93% of active-duty service members and their
spouses said the pandemic made a permanent change of station (PCS)
even more challenging, with nearly half (46%) expecting to relocate
this year. The survey examines some of the biggest hurdles military
members face when relocating, as well as the type of support they
value most, going into what is expected to be an even busier 2021
PCS season following many moves that were put on hold amid the
pandemic last year.
Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8853651-realogy-pcsgrades-military-and-vet-family-real-estate-services-and-rewards-program/
The new data found that 97% of active-duty service members
and spouses say it is important to work with real estate
professionals who have expertise working with active-duty military
and their families. Today's announced collaboration, Realogy
Military Rewards with PCSgrades, is a home buying and selling
program that pairs military and veteran families, who make up 23%
of all U.S. homebuyers*, with experienced agents from one of
Realogy's well-known and trusted residential real estate brands –
including Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate, Century 21®,
Coldwell Banker®, Corcoran Group® and ERA® – trained to support a
military member's real estate journey. The program also offers
$350 to $7,500* in cash back rewards, based on the home's
sale or purchase price, in most U.S. states when
transacting.
According to the survey, 60% of active-duty service members and
spouses have purchased a home for a duty location and 77% say their
desire to own a home has either increased or stayed the same
compared to before the pandemic. The combined Realogy Military
Rewards and PCSgrades program is committed to increasing the number
of military and veteran homebuyers by providing trusted resources
tailored to the unique needs of military families. The program not
only offers a cash reward and an experienced agent to guide them
through the home buying or selling process, participants will also
benefit from local insights from military and veteran families.
Through PCSgrades' online platform users have access to real-life
testimonials from fellow military and veteran families on topics
like local neighborhoods, base housing, moving companies, schools
and more.
With 83% of active-duty service members and their families
reporting that they are not getting enough relocation assistance
from the military during the PCS process, PCSgrades and Realogy
Military Rewards combine resources under one program to provide the
military knowledge and real estate expertise to address these
issues.
Founded by experienced military community members, PCSgrades
offers firsthand experience in the relocation needs for military
members, veterans and spouses, as well as trusted community
insights. The organization was built on the belief that the
military family takes care of each other.
Military Family Survey: Homebuying / Selling Needs with
Frequent Relocations
Military Families Reveal Time Constraints are Top Frustration
When Relocating
- 93% of active-duty service members and their spouses said the
pandemic made a permanent change of station (PCS) even more
challenging.
- 96% of active-duty service members and spouses face challenges
during a permanent change of station (PCS).
- Time constraints in finding a new home (45%), logistics of the
move (40%) and deployments while adjusting to a new location (30%)
were the top three challenges cited during relocations.
Virtual Homebuying: Military Families Decide on New
Residences Without Stepping Inside
- 89% of active-duty service members and their spouses who have
PCSed have chosen a new home without personally stepping inside and
visiting.
- 77% say their desire to own a home has either increased or
stayed the same compared to before the pandemic.
- Over half (55%) say they are more confident in the ability to
buy a home this year.
Trusted Advisors with Military Knowledge Are
Paramount
- 97% of active-duty service members and spouses say it is
important to work with real estate professionals who have expertise
working with active-duty military and their families.
- Nearly half (46%) ranked fellow military members and spouses as
the top trusted resource for a PCS to a base where they've never
lived before.
- 83% stated active-duty service members and their families are
not getting enough relocation assistance from the military during
the PCS process.
*The National Association of Realtors (NAR) 2020
Generational Trends Survey reports that active military and
veterans represent 23% of all U.S. homebuyers.
Survey Methodology
The survey was conducted by Wakefield Research on behalf of
Realogy and PCSgrades among 250 U.S. active-duty service members
and 250 spouses of active-duty service members, between February 25th and March 3rd, 2021, using
an email invitation and an online survey.
Results of any sample are subject to sampling variation. The
magnitude of the variation is measurable and is affected by the
number of interviews and the level of the percentages expressing
the results. For the interviews conducted in this particular study,
the chances are 95 in 100 that a survey result does not vary, plus
or minus, by more than 4.4 percentage points for the total sample,
and 6.2 percentage points for both the service members and spouses
samples, from the result that would be obtained if interviews had
been conducted with all persons in the universe represented by the
sample.
Quotes:
"Realogy is proud to continue delivering on its more than
30-year commitment to military members and their families,
especially in these uncertain times," said Katrina Helmkamp, President and CEO of Realogy
Leads Group. "Since launching our Realogy Military Reward program,
we've given back more than $5 million
to military families. We look forward to delivering more
high-quality service and unique insights with PCSgrades."
"At PCSgrades, we know first-hand, the biggest challenges and
needs our fellow military and veteran families face when relocating
homes," said Todd Ernst, Founder
& CEO of PCSgrades. "Realogy Military Rewards offers one of the
largest networks of trusted agents experienced in supporting
military members and families. Together, we can truly make a
difference by giving back to our community while sharing reliable
resources and reviews crowd-sourced from the people we trust the
most…each other."
About Realogy Holdings Corp.
Realogy Holdings Corp.
(NYSE: RLGY) is the leading and most integrated provider of
U.S. residential real estate services, encompassing franchise,
brokerage, relocation, and title and settlement businesses as well
as a mortgage joint venture. Realogy's diverse brand portfolio
includes some of the most recognized names in real
estate: Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate, CENTURY
21®, Coldwell Banker®, Coldwell Banker
Commercial®, Corcoran®, ERA®, and Sotheby's
International Realty®. Using innovative technology, data and
marketing products, high-quality lead generation programs, and
best-in-class learning and support services, Realogy fuels the
productivity of independent sales agents, helping them build
stronger businesses and best serve today's consumers. Realogy's
affiliated brokerages operate around the world with approximately
190,700 independent sales agents in the United States and
nearly 130,000 independent sales agents in 115 other countries and
territories. Recognized for ten consecutive years as one of
the World's Most Ethical Companies, Realogy has also been
designated a Great Place to Work three years in a row and
one of Forbes' Best Employers for Diversity. Realogy is
headquartered in Madison, New Jersey.
About PCSgrades
PCSgrades is an online community created by and for fellow
military and veteran families to help each other with their biggest
must-solve relocation needs through crowd-sourced reviews and local
insights. The platform is built on the strongly held belief that
it's the "military and veteran family" that takes care of their
own. Topics include local neighborhoods, military family housing,
real estate agents, mortgage lenders, moving companies, schools,
and more. This free service was created by veterans, service
members, and their spouses to share information with the people
they identify with and trust the most…each other.
PCSgrades also serves as a forum for reputation-based businesses to
earn a stamp of approval directly from the military and veteran
community, providing tools to help shape their online reputation
through an interactive experience with reviewers.
*The cash back bonus is offered in most states. In some states,
a gift card or commission reduction at closing may be provided in
lieu of the cash back bonus. The program is not available for
employer-sponsored relocations or transactions in Iowa or outside the
United States. The cash back bonus is not available in
Alaska, Louisiana and Oklahoma. In Kansas and Tennessee, a MasterCard MAX gift card will be
issued. In Mississippi,
New Jersey, and Oregon, a commission reduction may be
available at closing. The cash back bonus is only available with
the purchase and/or sale of your home through the use of a
program-introduced real estate agent. The actual amount you receive
is based on the purchase and/or sale price of your home. All real
estate commissions are negotiable. Other terms and conditions may
apply. This is not a solicitation if you are already represented by
a real estate broker. Please check with a program coordinator for
details. Program terms and conditions are subject to change at any
time without notice. Additional terms, conditions, and restrictions
apply.
Contact Information:
Kathleen
LeFebvre, Realogy Holdings Corp.,
kathleen.lefebvre@realogy.com
Julia Chappell, Realogy Holdings
Corp., julia.chappell@realogy.com
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SOURCE Realogy Holdings Corp.