After a year practicing law in New York City, Chris Chin decided he needed a change and chose to serve his country.

“In 2009, I commissioned in the U.S. Army reserves as a judge advocate, which means I’m a lawyer for the Army,” said Chris Chin, who works part time as a real estate agent for Coldwell Banker Prime Properties.

In 2014, Chin was mobilized to Fort Drum. He describes it as "one of the best experiences of my life."

While there, he did legal work while soldiers were deployed to Afghanistan. He returned to civilian life a year later. He and his wife married, had a child, and purchased a home using a VA loan.  

“I think a lot of people assumed that it was a ton of paperwork,” said Chin, reflecting on his home buying experience.  

Some difficulty during that process motivated his next mission of becoming a real estate agent.

“I felt there was maybe a stigma towards veterans using their VA loan,” said Chin.

Chin took advantage of a program offered by Coldwell Banker Prime Properties. The company is trying to attract veterans and their spouses to become agents by covering the cost of their licensing classes.

“They gave back so much, and we want to give back to them, too,” said Richard Barger, the director of marketing for Coldwell Banker Prime Properties. "So basically, taking on the financial burden for them, allowing them for the training and the coaching and kind of guiding them through the process that they need."

Licensing can cost more than $3,000. Participants pay up front. They’re asked to make a two-year commitment to the company and are reimbursed when they begin selling homes. Four have completed the training. 10 are in the process.

“So it basically ranges from ages getting right out of the military at ages at like 27, 28, up to age 60,” said Barger.

Chin’s wife is also taking classes to become an agent. He believes military families can bring a unique sensitivity to real estate -- a desire to connect buyers with communities.  

“People who have been on active duty for many years who moved all the time, I think it gives them a fresh perspective of trying to find that home that works for family,” said Chin.