American Veteran Properties recently welcomed new agent Ashley Kerzner to its team. Like AVP’s other agents, Kerzner is also a veteran, who understands the specific needs and experiences of the clients.
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American Veteran Properties recently welcomed new agent Jenah Wieczorek to its team of real estate professionals who have military connections and an understanding of their needs.
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SAVANNAH, GA — December 27, 2022 — Caitlyn Rowe with American Veteran Properties has been awarded the nationally recognized Military Relocation Professional
Certification by the National Association of Realtors (NAR). This prestigious certification is awarded to real estate professionals who work with current and former military
service members and their families to find housing solutions that serve the unique needs of military life and make the best use of their benefits.
The certification provides NAR’s members with resources to help current and former military service members at any stage of their military career and is an approved
elective for NAR’s Accredited Buyer’s Representative designation.
“I am honored to receive this certification, knowing it is for something so important to me and the company I represent,” said Rowe. “This is an incredible asset to utilize as I work with my clients to find their perfect home.”
In addition to earning the certification, Rowe has also been named the Top-Producing Agent at American Veteran Properties by President and CEO Eric Lukkarinen.
“Caitlyn’s hard work and dedication to her clients here at AVP has been crucial to the success of our team. As a military spouse, she understands the specific needs of the
military community and ensures our clients an easier, faster, and less stressful experience,” said Lukkarinen.
American Veteran Properties is a full-service real estate agency which offers the highest quality advice and support for military members to make the best decision for themselves and their families, in addition to helping military members enjoy homeownership while building and growing personal wealth.
For more information, please visit www.americanveteranproperties.com, call 912-385-3000, email sales@americanveteranproperties.com or visit them on social media.
HINESVILLE, GA – NOVEMBER 17, 2022 – American Veteran Properties (AVP) welcomes new agent Brad Berens to its team of real estate professionals. Like AVP’s other agents, Berens is also a veteran, who understands the shortage of affordable military housing in our region and how the military’s Basic Housing Allowance and VA loans can be successfully and responsibly utilized to build financial security.
Before becoming a Realtor, Berens was a U.S. Army soldier who was born and raised in San Diego, California. After graduating college from San Jose State University, he served on active duty as a Satellite Operator and Maintainer with the 706th Military Intelligence Group and National Security Agency (NSA) in Fort Benning and Fort Gordon. When he left the military he decided to pursue his passion for AVP’s philosophy and values and relocate to the Ft. Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield area.
“Joining AVP was a no brainer for me when transitioning out of the military because it provided me with the opportunity to pursue my passion for real estate while still serving the community I love,” Berens said. “I have first-hand experience and understanding of the constant demands and stress that come with being a service member. My main goal is to make your home buying or selling process as easy and stress free as possible for you and your family. I am excited to put my work ethic, customer service, and no quit mentality on display in order to help you achieve your real estate goals and needs.”
“We’re very positive about Brad joining our team,” said Eric Lukkarinen, Founder and CEO of AVP. “After only one month working as one of our agents, Brad has achieved two sales, one listing and many more pending. I know that, as veterans, we share the same core values and work ethic, and this combined with his talent for real estate makes him a great fit for AVP.”
American Veteran Properties is a full-service real estate agency which offers the highest quality advice and support for military members to make the best decision for themselves and their families, in addition to helping military members enjoy homeownership while building and growing personal wealth.
For more information, please visit www.americanveteranproperties.com , call 912-385-3000, email sales@americanveteranproperties.com or visit them on social media.
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For media inquiries, please contact Kristyn Beasley at kristyn@lesleyfrancispr.com or 229-393-6457 or Lesley Francis at lesley@lesleyfrancis.com or 912-429-3950 or the team at 912-417-LFPR (5377).
HINESVILLE, GA – NOVEMBER 10, 2022 – With Veterans Day approaching, a local veteran owned company is launching an advocacy campaign to raise awareness of the housing crisis and seek emergency funding from the Department of Defense for active military families at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield.
American Veteran Properties is not profiting from this advocacy campaign but is extremely concerned about the discrepancy between Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) in Hinesville and the cost of housing for families. Every day, more military families at Fort Stewart are living in RVs or hotels or expensive short-term rentals, doubling up with two families living in single family homes and struggling to make ends meet. This advocacy campaign is being launched to help our troops afford local housing through increasing their BAH to appropriate levels through contacting Congressman Buddy Carter or their Home of Record Congressperson.
The statistics reveal why low BAH rates at Fort Stewart personally affect the military community. The recent inflation of the housing market means that the cost of homes for sale and rental prices have skyrocketed. This means that average rental prices in Hinesville, GA are now just under $1,800 a month and the average mortgage on a small home is $2,100. A Corporal at Fort Stewart (E4) has a BAH of $1,491 a month making it nearly impossible to find affordable housing. While the soldiers are given access to on post housing, the list to receive a home on post is so long that military families are having to find other places to live. A Colonel at Fort Stewart (06) has a basic housing allowance of $2,232 a month meaning that it is almost impossible for them to find affordable family housing commensurate with their rank. By comparison, military families in Beaufort, South Carolina, which is home to the Marine Air Station (MCAS) and was one of the 28 military bases across the USA awarded the BAH emergency increase last month, is in a much better position. Residential housing rates are similar to Hinesville but an E4 receives $2,172 and an 06 receives $3,336. More information about BAH rates can be found https://www.travel.dod.mil/
Eric Lukkarinen, Founder and CEO of AVP says, “Every day our agents see military families struggling with lack of affordable housing. We are not seeking to profit from this campaign but to encourage congress to grant Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield the BAH emergency increase through this advocacy and education campaign.” He continues, “Our military naturally has other priorities than teaching service members how to leverage their home loan and BAH to their benefit. In fact, if used recklessly, these can lead to financial instability and foreclosure, which is why we are offering any service member access to our free ‘Fatigues to Financial Freedom’ educational seminars.”
Eric Lukkarinen was a soldier in the U.S. Army until 2001 and has over 20 years’ experience in residential real estate. During that time, he saw firsthand how difficult the housing and especially the real estate market can be for service members and their families. Constant relocating and unfamiliarity with new areas makes it difficult for service members to find a way to own a home and actively participate in owning property. Eric realized he could help fill a need faced by service members and veterans, initially in the Savannah and Hinesville areas: near Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield. With that mission in mind, Eric started American Veteran Properties. He launched a new type of real estate company to help military families reasonably enjoy homeownership and build financial security. His primary residential focus has been on military sales with use of VA loan packages and overall income-producing real estate management with specific experience regarding military PCS/relocations.
To contact Congressman Buddy Carter, Georgia’s first district representative, visit www.buddycarter.house.gov/contact/. For more information on writing to Congress or to find your local representative, please visit www.congress.gov/contact-us. For more information about American Veteran Properties and to register for the free seminar, please visit www.americanveteranproperties.com/fatigues-to-financial-freedom .
American Veteran Properties is a full-service real estate agency which offers the highest quality advice and support for military members to make the best decision for themselves and their families, in addition to helping military members enjoy homeownership while building and growing personal wealth. For more information, please visit www.americanveteranproperties.com , call 912-385-3000, email sales@americanveteranproperties.com or visit them on social media.
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For media inquiries, please contact Kristyn Beasley at kristyn@lesleyfrancispr.com or 229-393-6457 or Lesley Francis at lesley@lesleyfrancis.com or 912-429-3950 or the team at 912-417-LFPR (5377).
RICHMOND HILL, GA – APRIL 27, 2022 – The Vets United 2022 resource festival, organized by Team Savannah for Veterans and sponsored by American Veteran Properties, is set for 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, May 21 at J.F. Gregory Park in Richmond Hill. This family friendly event will feature live music, food trucks, vendors, and a variety of veteran-centric organizations and groups, such as the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (CVMA) 25-2, SD Gunner Fund, American Legion, Fight the War Within, Provisions for Patriots, and many others. In addition, there will be bounce houses, a dunk tank, and other activities for children to enjoy.
In addition to his support in the form of title sponsorship, American Veteran Properties owner Eric Lukkarinen will be giving away a Remington 700 SPS rifle, worth approximately $960. There is no cost to enter the drawing. Attendees should stop by the AVP table to sign up for this free opportunity to win the rifle, though participants must be age 18 or older to enter. The drawing will take place at 5 p.m., at the conclusion of the festival, and the winner need not be present at the time his or her name is drawn. If necessary, the winner will be notified by phone or email.
Event coordinators and Team Savannah for Veterans Leaders Chris O’Malley and Thomas Nash look forward to welcoming fellow veterans and their families to the festival, which they think attendees will find helpful.
“We’re proud to put this event on as something that will benefit members of the military community and allow them to explore the resources available to them,” O’Malley said. “Plus, it’s a great opportunity for families to come enjoy a spring day outdoors, check out the vendors, grab lunch, let the kids play – just have a little fun.”
Lukkarinen, also a veteran, signed on as the event’s title sponsor as a way to show his appreciation for military members as well as the organizations that serve them. He added the free rifle giveaway to encourage attendees to circulate, explore the booths staffed by veteran-based businesses and organizations, and make connections.
“This will be a great event. I’m looking forward to talking with a lot of veterans, their families, and people excited to support veterans. As a former soldier myself, I’ve seen how helpful programs like this one are to both active and former military members,” Lukkarinen said. “Come on by AVP’s booth, chat with us, let us get you signed up for the free rifle giveaway, and learn more about how we help military families in this community.”
American Veteran Properties offers the highest quality advice and support for military members to make the best decision for themselves and their families, in addition to helping military members enjoy homeownership while building and growing personal wealth. For more information, please visit americanveteranproperties.com, call 912-385-3000, email sales@americanveteranproperties.com or visit them on social media, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn.
For more information on the Vets Untied 2022 resource festival, to sign up as a vendor, or to become a sponsor, please visit https://ts4v.com/vets-united.
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For media inquiries, please contact Hollie Barnidge at hollie@lesleyfrancispr.com or 912-272-8651, Lesley Francis at lesley@francis.com or 912-429-3950 or the team at 912-417-LFPR (5377).
RICHMOND HILL, GA – APRIL 27, 2022 – American Veteran Properties recently welcomed new agent Chloe Castillo to its team of seasoned real estate professionals. Like AVP’s other agents and staffers, Castillo’s military connection makes her a great fit for the agency.
Castillo’s husband, James, served 10 years in the U.S. Army, eight of which were spent in the 3/160th SOAR unit. As a military family, the Castillos and their three children have relocated several times, a few of which meant finding a new home in a very short period of time. Chloe found those experiences stressful and difficult for her family, so she’s eager to help ensure a smooth and easy transition for other military families facing the same challenges she dealt with. Before earning her real estate license and launching her career, Castillo worked in the medical field for 13 years. She is ready to put her market knowledge and experiences as a military spouse to work for AVP’s clients and looks forward to making new connections.
“I am here to help you every step of the way so that your closing process is smooth and enjoyable. I’m excited to combine my skills, passion, and energy with American Veteran Properties to build lasting relationships with clients and better our community,” Castillo said.
AVP owner and CEO Eric Lukkarinen was a soldier himself in the U.S. Army until 2001. After completing his service, he was a Realtor for 20 years, amassing sales experience with a concentration in buyer and seller residential transactions. Lukkarinen loved serving his country, but always had an eye on the future and an entrepreneurial inclination, which drove him to officially launch AVP last year.
With his team, Lukkarinen teaches military veterans how to take advantage of their benefits to make their families comfortable while building upward mobility and growing their personal wealth. It’s an extremely important concept that, if utilized correctly, can greatly improve a service member’s quality of life and set them up for a nice life following their exit from the military, according to Lukkarinen.
“We’re really happy to have Chloe on board with us at American Veteran Properties. As a military spouse whose family is used to service life, I know that Choe and I share the same values and work ethic. I’m confident she will work hard to ensure her clients have wonderful experiences when buying, selling, and renting homes with our company, and I know Chloe prioritizes the care and preservation of families, just like the rest of my team,” Lukkarinen said.
American Veteran Properties offers the highest quality advice and support for military members to make the best decision for themselves and their families, in addition to helping military members enjoy homeownership while building and growing personal wealth. For more information, please visit americanveteranproperties.com, call 912-385-3000, email sales@americanveteranproperties.com or visit them on social media, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn.
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For media inquiries, please contact Hollie Barnidge at hollie@lesleyfrancispr.com or 912-272-8651 or Lesley Francis at lesley@lesleyfrancis.com or 912-429-3950 or the team at 912-417-LFPR (5377).
RICHMOND HILL, GA – APRIL 11, 2022 – American Veteran Properties recently welcomed new agent Phillip Smith to its team of seasoned real estate professionals. Like AVP’s other agents and staffers, Smith’s military connection makes him a great fit for the agency.
Before becoming a realtor, Smith was a U.S. Army soldier whose last duty station was Fort Stewart in Hinesville. He and his family are no strangers to moving, having relocated four times over the course of his military career when Smith was assigned to posts in Tennessee, California, Hawaii and, finally, in Coastal Georgia. Given his decades of service, Smith is very familiar with the ways in which VA benefits – such as Basic Housing Allowance and VA loans – can be successfully utilized to maximize returns. He’s ready to put his knowledge in both sectors to work for AVP’s clients and looks forward to continuing to serve the community.
“Rest assured, as your realtor, I will strive to ensure you not only have a fulfilling experience, but I’ll also help educate you on your military benefits so you can make the best possible decisions. This is the way for me to continue my service and dedication to the military,” Smith said. “I have all the resources to help ease families into their new community. I also have the knowledge and resources to help you as a service member, past or present, utilize your military benefits when buying your home. I look forward to helping our clients find their next home! We’ve got you covered.”
AVP owner and CEO Eric Lukkarinen was a soldier himself in the U.S. Army until 2001. After completing his service, he was a Realtor for 20 years, amassing sales experience with a concentration in buyer and seller residential transactions. Like Smith, Lukkarinen loved serving his country, but always had an eye on the future and an entrepreneurial inclination, which drove him to officially launch AVP last year.
With his team, Lukkarinen teaches military veterans how to take advantage of their benefits to make their families comfortable while building upward mobility and growing their personal wealth. It’s an extremely important concept that, if utilized correctly, can greatly improve a service member’s quality of life and set them up for a nice life following their exit from the military, according to Lukkarinen.
“We’re really happy to have Phil on board with us at American Veteran Properties. As brothers in service, I know that we share the same values and work ethic. I’m confident Phil will work hard to ensure his clients have wonderful experiences when buying, selling, and renting homes with our company, and I know he prioritizes the care and preservation of families, just like the rest of my team,” Lukkarinen said.
American Veteran Properties offers the highest quality advice and support for military members to make the best decision for themselves and their families, in addition to helping military members enjoy homeownership while building and growing personal wealth. For more information, please visit americanveteranproperties.com, call 912-385-3000, email sales@americanveteranproperties.com or visit them on social media, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn.
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For media inquiries, please contact Hollie Barnidge at hollie@lesleyfrancispr.com or 912-272-8651 or Lesley Francis at lesley@lesleyfrancis.com or 912-429-3950 or the team at 912-417-LFPR (5377).
RICHMOND HILL, GA – FEBRUARY 10, 2022 – American Veteran Properties will launch its new “Fatigues to Financial Freedom” program on Thursday, March 3 with a seminar from 6-7 p.m. at the Waterford Landing Clubhouse, 731 Waterford Landing Road.
The free program is focused on showing military members how to build personal wealth and achieve financial security by taking advantage of their benefits, such as VA loans, and capitalizing on them to generate future wealth.
AVP is owned by former 3rd ID Soldier Eric Lukkarinen. He and his staff – comprised of veterans and military dependents – understand service members’ unique situations, needs and aspirations. “Fatigues to Financial Freedom” demonstrates to military members that financial freedom is within their grasp, and it does not have to involve risk-taking, advanced deal making, or gimmicky schemes. AVP’s tried and tested method for building wealth has been proven useful time and again. By providing knowledge and support, American Veteran Properties ensures America’s heroes can take care of their families while facing less stress and anxiety when it comes to finances.
“Our goals are to guide our service members toward owning multiple homes that are income-producing, thus providing security, financial opportunity, and supplemental retirement income,” Lukkarinen said.
Military members who are interested in learning more about the process are encouraged to register today for the free March session, where they’ll learn from experienced professionals who have successfully utilized the program and are eager to see others benefit. To reserve a space, visit americanveteranproperties.com.
American Veteran Properties offers the highest quality advice and support for military members to make the best decision for themselves and their families, in addition to helping military members enjoy homeownership while building and growing personal wealth. For more information, please visit americanveteranproperties.com, call 912-385-3000, email sales@americanveteranproperties.com or visit them on social media, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn.
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For media inquiries, please contact Hollie Barnidge at hollie@lesleyfrancispr.com or 912-272-8651 or Lesley Francis at lesley@lesleyfrancis.com or 912-429-3950 or the team at 912-417-LFPR (5377).
RICHMOND HILL, GA – FEBRUARY 4, 2022 – American Veteran Properties, a residential real estate brokerage specializing in serving military families and helping them build personal wealth, is pleased to announce its expansion in the Coastal Empire region with the addition of property management services.
The agency, owned and operated by local industry veteran and former 3rd ID soldier Eric Lukkarinen, specializes in buying, selling, new construction, investing, and consulting on residential real estate and other property ventures. The company will also soon introduce training programs and seminars.
“We are thrilled to be able to serve our clients in new ways that will allow them to settle into new duty stations with the peace of mind that their property is being looked after properly by a company that prides itself on transparency and fairness,” Lukkarinen said.
AVP’s owner points out that his property management operation will do things differently than other, more traditional companies. They strive to take the stress of being a landlord from the homeowner/investor by handling routine issues that crop up. In addition, AVP will not keep the additional fees that renters are often charged, such as pet deposits and late fees.
“When the renters are charged a pet fee, for example, that pet fee will go straight to the pocket of the homeowner — not AVP. We’re not going to charge our homeowners for every last thing we have to take care of at their houses. We approach our business relationships with our homeowners as more of a partnership,” Lukkarinen said.
The team of agents at American Veteran Properties works with veterans and their families to help them amass personal wealth through the acquisition and subsequent rental of residential property. When a military member who owns a home is assigned a new duty station, he or she can rent out the house and then purchase a new home – covered by Basic Allowance for Housing – at the new duty station. The process repeats until the veteran owns several homes that he or she can either sell for profits or use to continue generating rental income. In time, the homes pay for themselves many times over.
American Veteran Properties offers the highest quality advice and support for military members to make the best decision for themselves and their families, in addition to helping military members enjoy homeownership while building and growing personal wealth. For more information, please visit americanveteranproperties.com, call 912-385-3000, email sales@americanveteranproperties.com or visit them on social media, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and LinkedIn.
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For media inquiries, please contact Hollie Barnidge at hollie@lesleyfrancispr.com or 912-272-8651 or Lesley Francis at lesley@lesleyfrancis.com or 912-429-3950 or the team at 912-417-LFPR (5377).