Veteran-owned real estate brokerage opens new location in Norfolk

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — It is grand opening weekend for a veteran and minority-owned real estate brokerage.

Iron Valley Real Estate Hampton Roads is opened for business at 500 West 21st Street Suite 201. 

The seventh location marks a significant milestone for the franchise, founded by four military veterans in 2020 including: Michael Little, Edgar Munoz, Edwin Rodriguez and Eric Edwards.

“I served for 14 years in the United States Navy,” said Little, Iron Valley Real Estate Principal Broker and co-founder. “I achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer. I served aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Harry S. Truman, and the Theodore Roosevelt. We’re all honorably discharged veterans. We’re here to help veterans utilize their VA home loan benefit to the best of their advantage.”

Munoz served eight-years in the U.S. Navy from 1999-2007. Munoz is also a military spouse. 

“We bring a unique set of skills from our military experience including attention to detail, honor, courage [and] commitment are some of the values that we bring to the market. [We want to] make sure that our veterans are not taken advantage of,” said Munoz, Iron Valley Real Estate Prestige Principal Broker and owner. “Our veterans are relying heavily on us to help them. They’re coming from Japan, Europe, [or] across the nation. They don’t know the area.  We’re here to serve our veterans. We’re not looking for a paycheck. The key component [is] helping families here.”

Rodriguez retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer after 23 years of service. His experience as a first-time homebuyer prompted him to pursue real estate.

“[When] I bought my home, I wanted representation,” said Rodriguez, Iron Valley Real Estate Broker and owner. “The agent that helped me … didn’t serve me to the best of their abilities. That was what ultimately led me to get my real estate license to actually serve our veteran community in a better manner.”

The Norfolk location was selected following research conducted by Hunt and Little using MarketView Broker and REIN MLS.

“We realized that there weren’t many brokerages in Norfolk at all,” Little said. “But Norfolk is number three in sales in Hampton Roads. So why aren’t there more brokerages?” 

The newest location will be led by LJ Hunt and Julian Rivera. 

Rivera is a local DJ, an award-winning real estate agent and military parent.

“I’m living vicariously through my son, Julian, who’s currently serving in the United States Navy at Naval Station Norfolk,” said Rivera. “Knowing that this area was underserved by the amount of real estate brokers here … it made sense just to put one in the Norfolk area to potentially help everybody. More importantly, the veterans, active duty and the entire community that better that much better.”