Nobu Hata

By Nobu Hata

Hi guys, I originally wrote this post for Conference Live last week, but it bears repeating on Veterans Day.  It hits close to home for me with a brother who served two tours in Iraq, then bought a home via DVA loan last year.  Thank a Vet.  Help a Vet.  It’s the least we can do.

There are, as of October 2010, over 39,000 disabled veterans of the Iraq War in the United States.  Of those, 20 percent suffer from brain and spinal cord injuries, and 30percent from mental health disabilities.  With those sobering statistics, the Equal Opportunity Forum at NARdiGras 2010, kicked off.  Those veterans are not only part of the biggest Fair Housing protected segment in the country, but the fastest growing emerging market for REALTORS®.  Every state is affected by the military and their veterans, guys, so it’s time we step it up!

Get acquainted with va.gov – and search “SAH” or “Specially Adapted Housing.”  Grants are available for folks to build housing, plus retrofit and adapt current housing – even pay down mortgages.  Get to know the DVA loan program while  you’re there!

Part of NAR’s Game Changers Program is the Heroes Welcome Home program.  As a member, this program is an incredible benefit; as an association, it’s a value-add.  Free to use, it’s the hub for all things “Heroes” for us REALTORS®.  Use it to your advantage!

These returning vets deserve the best that we can provide.  Be mentors, not only in housing issues, but in credit, mortgage, and lifestyle issues as well.  It’s the least we can do, for so many who gave so much.

Nobu Hata is a sales associate for Edina Realty in Minneapolis, and a founding member of the Minneapolis YPN group, the YoPros. Visit his Web site at www.nobuhata.com.