Has anyone used USAA's Mover's Advantage Program for buying a home? If so, what is your feedback on the program?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 May 2015 13:44:10 -0400

Response by MSgt James Mullis made May 21 at 2015 1:50 PM

MSgt James Mullis — Thu, 21 May 2015 13:50:22 -0400

No, But I've used their car buyers service and it went well.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 1:58 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 May 2015 13:58:48 -0400

I have used it and I think it is a great service. The realtors that work with them are very knowledgeable of USAA's rules and will work to find you exactly what you are looking for. Upon closing on the house, USAA gave me $2k back for using them and their realtor. I do recommend them and this program.

Response by CDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 4:44 PM

CDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 May 2015 16:44:58 -0400

I used it for my first house. The basic process is that they refer you to a realtor that has signed up to work with USAA. The realtor pays USAA a significant percentage of their commission for referring you to them, and then USAA gives you a cash bonus of part of that fee (and they keep the rest for funding the program/profit). USAA's mortgage rates are as good as any you will find, so you aren't being penalized with them. My realtor was knowledgeable, used him both for buying my first house and selling it several years later. I see no downside for using it unless you have a specific realtor you want to deal with who is not participating, or if you are buying a new home and the builder has a significant incentive for you to use their lender (which is why I didn't use the program for my current home).

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 6:00 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 May 2015 18:00:52 -0400

It's awesome, and they pay you to use the service.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 6:01 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 May 2015 18:01:23 -0400

It's awesome and they pay you to use the service

Response by LtCol Daniel Lang made Dec 9 at 2015 10:51 PM

LtCol Daniel Lang — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 22:51:37 -0500

I have used the program 3 different times and loved it. I learned so much more about the program when I became a Realtor. USAA recently in past few months changed the name to "Real Estate Rewards Program". You would be amazed at how many people dont know the program exists. All of the participating agents have to have a minimum of years in the business and have great reviews. In addition each of the agents are required to go through additional training to qualify for the program and they are evaluated by the client after every closing. If I can be of further assistance do not hesitate to ask.

Response by Amy Silverman made Dec 10 at 2015 12:30 PM

Amy Silverman — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 12:30:37 -0500

I have worked with many Military with this program. It's great and you get incentive $$ back! Happy Holidaze! [login to see] , C21 HAwaii

Response by COL Steve Rowe made Jan 7 at 2016 3:36 PM

COL Steve Rowe — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 15:36:36 -0500

Hi. I used USAA's rebate program a few times during my 26+ year Military career, and always thought it was great. I got money back at the end of the transaction! Now that I work as a residential Realtor, I still see the usefulness of it to the eligible USAA member. I do understand now, however, a bit more about the business-to-business referral basis this program uses, and so I realize there are costs to the real estate agencies involved...or more accurately, costs to the commission share the agent ends up receiving. USAA refers the business to a real estate agency at the destination for a referral fee, then rebates a portion of that fee to the member, and retains a portion of the fee. There are a few cases where a really good local Realtor with the right company can match or better the USAA program, netting the USAA member as much or more than USAA can promise. So don't be afraid to ask for Military/Veteran incentive details of reputable, Military-friendly agents in your next PCS or retirement location. The bottom line is, if the USAA member buying or selling a home also gets a nice little something as an extra reward for their service, then it is a good thing!

Response by MSgt Lionel (Leo) Rondeau made Jan 9 at 2016 7:29 PM

MSgt Lionel (Leo) Rondeau — Sat, 09 Jan 2016 19:29:08 -0500

I've used it for each of my three home purchases and two sales. It has worked out well for me and the extra support was fantastic.

Response by Ann Markley made Feb 3 at 2016 1:02 PM

Ann Markley — Wed, 03 Feb 2016 13:02:50 -0500

I just represented a Seller and the other agent's buyers were using USAA for their loan program and and communication was difficult during the transaction on both parts and not sure if anyone else has had this issue with no call back, emails etc.. on how the loan is progressing. I like to be involved in the entire process to make sure it closes on time and usually work with local lenders that I can actually meet and speak to after 5:00 pm and on weekends. Any comments on USAA working on their communication...

Response by Erik Fender, BA, ABR, CIAS made Feb 5 at 2016 4:49 AM

Erik Fender, BA, ABR, CIAS — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 04:49:23 -0500

I have been a USAA Relocation Realtor for over 5 years. The program is designed for USAA members to find an experienced Realtor to help them with their home buying or selling. USAA Realtors are very professional and help make a very stressful time easier. If anyone out there is looking for a Realtor, anywhere in the USA, please contact me and I can help get you in touch with someone in your area!
~Erik Fender, Broker Associate
Coldwell Banker United Realtors
Charleston, SC
PH: [login to see]

Response by 1LT Melanie Toler made Jan 21 at 2017 7:06 PM

1LT Melanie Toler — Sat, 21 Jan 2017 19:06:40 -0500

I used the program to sell and recommend all members steer clear!! Agents that USAA certifies and recommends are good agents, BUT, that is where the positive part ends. Participation requires these agents to pay USAA 45% of their share of the commission. That was never disclosed to me and I expect USAA to be more ethical and transparent than that. Moreover, it is 20% more than the average referral fee with agents.
Answer this question: If you are an agent and you are working with a buyer, are you going to push the USAA home or the one right next door where you get almost twice the amount of commission? Any one who says they work just as hard to sell my house is either naive, stupid or dishonest. After 8 months, and no contract on our home, we released the USAA agent. That's when we learned about the contract she had with USAA to pay them 45% of her commission. We called USAA two different times and asked for a callback from a supervisor to discuss the program, but never received a call back.
We hired another agent not with USAA and in less than one month, we have a contract on our home. Supposedly, you receive assistance from a USAA real estate person, but that equates to a standard monthly email to ask if all is going okay. Whoop-ti-do! When you try and call that person, you get voicemail and perhaps get a return call a week later. That's not very timely. When I did finally link up, I never received what I would call real answers from the USAA person. So, there is really no added value!
I wrote a letter to the current CEO and got no response from him....not so much as a"Thank you for your feedback, we will look into it." The agent may pay USAA but the reality is the member(in a seller situation) is paying USAA.
As I said, steer clear as a seller. And, by the way, I'm a 40+ year member of USAA and have bought 12 homes and sold 12 homes in and out of Texas, Kansas, Ohio, Arkansas and Colorado. No expert,but certainly not a novice!