Honoring the Veterans and Military Families I’ve Been Privileged to Help

Every Veterans Day, I think about the men and women who have served our country and the families who have supported them. I also think about the veterans and military families who have trusted me to help them find a place to call home.

I grew up surrounded by family and friends in the military. Helping service members, veterans, and their families buy and sell homes became one way I could give back.

When Northern Connection featured this part of my work in November 2021, I shared something that still holds true today:

“Working with veterans and military members in this way is something I can do to give back to the men and women who have served our country.”

The people in that article, along with the clients who have shared their experiences since, remind me why this work matters.

Showing up when it matters

Amanda and her husband, Steve, an Army veteran, first found me through a listing in Beaver County. They were looking for a home during a snowstorm, with little time to spare.

“It was during a snowstorm, and my husband and I were in a time crunch to find a home, and she still showed up for us,” Amanda shared in the article. “After our first meeting with her, she was like family to us.”

Finding a home in a new town can be stressful. My job is to help people understand their options, keep things moving, and know they have someone they can call.

Looking beyond the first impression

For Army veteran Kevin and his wife, Katie, buying their first home meant learning what to look for beyond the things that made a house appealing.

They loved one home at first sight, but as we looked more closely, I pointed out issues they hadn’t noticed. We kept looking rather than moving forward with a home that wasn’t right for them.

“This was our first home, and Deb’s guidance through the process was invaluable. If we ever decide to move in the future, Deb will be our first choice.”

Helping someone buy a home also means being honest when a property raises concerns. I want my clients to feel good about their decision long after closing day.

Finding home from far away

Some of the families I’ve helped began their search from another state or another continent.

Cara and her husband were living overseas when they bought a home in a Pittsburgh suburb. Neither had been to Pittsburgh before. Through virtual walkthroughs, a 13-hour time difference, and the holiday season, we worked together to find a home that fit their family.

Jarred’s family was moving from Dubai to Pennsylvania. They were buying a house they had never seen, in a state they had never visited. When they were transferred again, they called me to help sell that same home.

Catherine was also buying from out of state. She described how much it helped to have someone paying attention to the details and making the process feel personal and comfortable.

These moves require trust. I’m grateful when a family puts that trust in me, especially when they can’t be here in person.

Helping through the unexpected

Sometimes a home purchase needs more than careful planning.

When Navy veteran Nate’s home needed exterior work to pass the appraisal, I helped paint the windows so we could keep his purchase moving forward.

For Navy veteran Steven and his family, a delayed closing raised concerns about where they would stay. We worked out a way for them to move into their new home on the original date, even though closing had been delayed.

“Deb seemed to have a contingency plan for everything,” Steven wrote. “She was a godsend through the entire process and we couldn’t be more grateful for her help.”

Not every challenge is that visible. Sometimes what a client needs most is time to talk through a decision or ask another question. Kaleb described our work together as feeling “as if we had known her for years.” That kind of comfort and trust is what I hope every client experiences.

With gratitude, on Veterans Day and always

These stories stay with me because of the people behind them. Each family had different needs, questions, and circumstances. Being invited to help with such an important part of their lives is an honor.

To the veterans and military families who have trusted me with their homes, thank you.

And to everyone who has served our country, thank you for your dedication, your sacrifices, and your service. You deserve our gratitude on Veterans Day and throughout the year.