http://www.homevestors.com/blog/ The HVA Blog en-us Copyright 2008 Homevestors of America, Inc. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 01:35:09 CDT Fri, 19 Mar 2010 01:35:09 CDT 1 http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=931 <blockquote>Private blog entries can only be read directly on the <a href="http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=931">HomeVestors.com website</a>. Click on this entry to be taken directly to it. An active user account is required.</blockquote> http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=931 Mon, 15 Mar 2010 07:00:00 CDT http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=935 <blockquote><p>The nominations for HomeVestors' Ugliest House of the Yearcontestare open until March 26, 2010.</p> <p>Contests are being held in 19 markets across the country. The response has already been exciting. We are getting a lot of nominations of ugly houses in many of your markets.</p> <p>In addition, we continue to get good press from <a href="http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20100311/LIFE03/100311055/%E2%80%9CUgliest-house-in-central-New-Jersey%E2%80%9D-contest-now-under-way">Central New Jersey</a>to <a href="http://www.azbiz.com/articles/2010/03/12/construction_real_estate/doc4b9a6a55975ed180372085.txt">Tucson, Arizona</a>. We cannot wait until the exciting part begins - the voting and announcing the winners!</p></blockquote> http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=935 Sat, 13 Mar 2010 06:00:00 CST http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=934 <blockquote>Private blog entries can only be read directly on the <a href="http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=934">HomeVestors.com website</a>. Click on this entry to be taken directly to it. An active user account is required.</blockquote> http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=934 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:00:00 CST http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=932 <blockquote><p>Our search for the Ugliest House in 19 markets across the US continues. We have some reallyugly houses nominated, but dowe have theugliest?If you have not nominated your ugly house, you still have time. The deadline for entries is March 26, 2010. For details, go to <a href="http://theugliesthouse.com">theugliesthouse.com</a></p> <p>The contest continues to generate a lot of PR, even though it is only in the nominations stage. For example, here is an article in <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/othercities/memphis/stories/2010/03/08/tidbits1.html?b=1268024400%5E2976181&s=industry&i=commercial_real_estate">The Memphis Business Journal</a>.</p> <p>Voting starts soon. Get your nominations in now!</p></blockquote> http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=932 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:00:00 CST http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=930 <blockquote><p>Congratulations to our newest franchisee, Bob Stolz from Mendham, NJ. They will be buying Ugly Houses in Essex County, NJ, and helping a lot of first time homebuyers and investors find houses.</p> <p>Also, Congratulations toDA Jim Wiley and Bill McKenna.</p> <p></p></blockquote> http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=930 Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:45:00 CST http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=929 <blockquote>Private blog entries can only be read directly on the <a href="http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=929">HomeVestors.com website</a>. Click on this entry to be taken directly to it. An active user account is required.</blockquote> http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=929 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 07:30:00 CST http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=928 <blockquote>Private blog entries can only be read directly on the <a href="http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=928">HomeVestors.com website</a>. Click on this entry to be taken directly to it. An active user account is required.</blockquote> http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=928 Sat, 06 Mar 2010 06:00:00 CST http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=927 <blockquote>Private blog entries can only be read directly on the <a href="http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=927">HomeVestors.com website</a>. Click on this entry to be taken directly to it. An active user account is required.</blockquote> http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=927 Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:45:00 CST http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=926 <blockquote>Private blog entries can only be read directly on the <a href="http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=926">HomeVestors.com website</a>. Click on this entry to be taken directly to it. An active user account is required.</blockquote> http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=926 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 06:00:00 CST http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=925 <blockquote>Private blog entries can only be read directly on the <a href="http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=925">HomeVestors.com website</a>. Click on this entry to be taken directly to it. An active user account is required.</blockquote> http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=925 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 07:30:00 CST http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=924 <blockquote><p>The first stage of the Ugliest House Contest is collecting nominations. To have a legitimate contest, it is important that we have multiple houses nominated. (Please submit your houses soon. We are already collecting submissions. Go to <a href="http://theugliesthouse.com">theugliesthouse.com</a> for details.)</p> <p>This is also a good chance for you to have contact with your investors, and make new contacts with other investors in your community.</p> <p>The best PR opportunity is during the voting, and when the winners are announced. But, we have already had our first article in <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/breaking_ground/2010/02/calling_all_ugly_home_owners.html">The Washington Business Journal.</a></p> <p>Sheila Konecke, with K2NC in DC, must be doing a good job. <a href="http://www.princeofpetworth.com/2010/02/judging-houses-getting-renovated/">Here's another posting </a>in a DC Neighborhood Blog about one of her houses.</p></blockquote> http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=924 Thu, 25 Feb 2010 08:45:00 CST http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=923 <blockquote><p>This years Ugliest House of the Year will be conducted in the following markets (click on the link for information on that market):</p> <p><a href="/blog/fckfiles/file/Asheville___Hendersonville.pdf">Asheville/Hendersonville, NC</a><a href="/blog/fckfiles/file/Boston.pdf">Boston, MA</a></p> <p><a href="/blog/fckfiles/file/Chicago.pdf">Chicago, IL</a> <a href="/blog/fckfiles/file/Columbus.pdf">Columbus, GA</a></p> <p><a href="/blog/fckfiles/file/Dallas___Ft._Worth.pdf">Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX</a> <a href="/blog/fckfiles/file/Edison.pdf">Edison, NJ</a></p> <p><a href="/blog/fckfiles/file/Joplin.pdf">Joplin, MO</a><a href="/blog/fckfiles/file/Kansas_City.pdf">Kansas City</a></p> <p><a href="/blog/fckfiles/file/Memphis.pdf">Memphis, TN</a> <a href="/blog/fckfiles/file/Minneapolis___St._Paul.pdf">Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN</a></p> <p><a href="/blog/fckfiles/file/Norfolk.pdf">Norfolk, VA</a> <a href="/blog/fckfiles/file/Philadelphia.pdf">Philadelphia, PA</a></p> <p><a href="/blog/fckfiles/file/Phoenix.pdf">Phoenix, AZ</a> <a href="/blog/fckfiles/file/Pittsburgh.pdf">Pittsburgh, PA</a></p> <p><a href="/blog/fckfiles/file/Seattle.pdf">Seattle, WA</a><a href="/blog/fckfiles/file/St._Louis.pdf">St. Louis, MO</a></p> <p><a href="/blog/fckfiles/file/Tucson.pdf">Tucson, AZ</a> <a href="/blog/fckfiles/file/Tulsa.pdf">Tulsa, OK</a></p> <p><a href="/blog/fckfiles/file/Washington,_D.C.pdf">Washington, DC</a></p> <p>For rules andinformation how to submit a house for the Ugliest House of the Year, go to theugliesthouse.com</p></blockquote> http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=923 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 07:00:00 CST http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=922 <blockquote>Private blog entries can only be read directly on the <a href="http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=922">HomeVestors.com website</a>. Click on this entry to be taken directly to it. An active user account is required.</blockquote> http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=922 Mon, 22 Feb 2010 07:00:00 CST http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=898 <blockquote>Private blog entries can only be read directly on the <a href="http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=898">HomeVestors.com website</a>. Click on this entry to be taken directly to it. An active user account is required.</blockquote> http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=898 Sun, 21 Feb 2010 07:00:00 CST http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=920 <blockquote><p><span style="font-weight: bold"><img height="50" width="350" alt="" src="/blog/fckfiles/image/FBR50Logo.gif" /></span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: bold">Franchise Business Review</span> has published its Top 50 Franchise Satisfaction Awards for 2010 and once again HomeVestors is among the best franchises, placing41 in the Large Systems Class. The survey measures franchisee satisfaction of almost 500 franchises.<br /> <br /> The ranking is determined by Franchise Business Review after surveying franchisees almost 500 franchise companies. This is the third year Franchise Business Review separated the list into categories based on size. The Large Franchise Class is for franchises with more than 200 franchise units. <a href="http://www.fbr50.com/viewList.php">See the List</a><br /> <br /> This ranking is special to us because it is based on surveys completed by our franchisees with no involvement by the corporate office. It is a pure satisfaction survey. To rank in the top 50 for a fifth year in a row, especially considering all we have been through is a tribute to our franchisees, and our corporate staff.</p> <p>Ken and I are appreciative for the franchisees for their faith and support. This survey is important to us, because our goal is to build a culture in the company promoting service to the franchisee.</p> <p></p></blockquote> http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=920 Thu, 18 Feb 2010 07:00:00 CST http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=921 <blockquote><p>We talk about how we don't just Buy Ugly Houses, but we help solve Ugly Situations. There are many reasons people call us, but it is important you do your best to help as many as you can, and treat them all with respect. Not only because it is the right thing to do, but you never know when that attitude, and thus a satisfied customer, may lead to future good will for you and the company.</p> <p><a href="http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/mb.asp?cmd=display&forum_id=15&thread_id=2963615">Here is an example on a blog.</a> Read about half way down the page.</p> <p></p></blockquote> http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=921 Wed, 17 Feb 2010 10:30:00 CST http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=919 <blockquote><p>Congratulations to Scott Thompson, our newest franchisee in CT! Scott is planning to attend the March SST, and will open by the end of March.</p> <p>Also, congratulations to DA Fran Yerardi on his 3rd AF!</p></blockquote> http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=919 Wed, 17 Feb 2010 07:00:00 CST http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=918 <blockquote>Private blog entries can only be read directly on the <a href="http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=918">HomeVestors.com website</a>. Click on this entry to be taken directly to it. An active user account is required.</blockquote> http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=918 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 07:00:00 CST http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=916 <blockquote>Private blog entries can only be read directly on the <a href="http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=916">HomeVestors.com website</a>. Click on this entry to be taken directly to it. An active user account is required.</blockquote> http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=916 Sat, 13 Feb 2010 07:00:00 CST http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=917 <blockquote><p>We have received this from several sources: <strong>HUDproposes toeliminate <u>ALL seller financing</u> unless the seller <u>lives in the home</u> or becomes a <u>licensed mortgage originator</u>.</strong></p> <p><b>The situation</b>: In the federal SAFE mortgage act passed last year, we were successful in preserving the right for individuals to make up to five seller financed transactions per year before being subject to mortgage originator licensing. <i>HOWEVER</i>, that law was passed <strong><span>subject to</span><span> HUD's approval of the law as "<i>compliant"</i> with the intention of the federal law. This means that, for those states which do not have a 'compliant law', the SAFE act allows HUD to implement licensing for the state. HUD has since issued proposed rules in which, in a nutshell, <b>seller financing would no longer be allowed for non-owner occupied homes.</b></span></strong></p> <p style="text-align: left">HUD is soliciting comments on these proposed rules. <strong>The Deadline for filing Comments is FEBRUARY 16 !</strong></p> <p style="text-align: left"><strong>We need YOUR help: </strong>We desperately need for YOU to go on record with HUD on this issue.Industry efforts to affect this law cannot hope to gain traction unless thousands of individual investors have clearly communicated that they are opposed to this portion of the rules.It is very important that you stand up and be counted on this issue.</p> <p style="text-align: left"><em><b>Please submit your comments to HUD - Today !</b></em><em><b></b></em><em><b>WE ONLY HAVE Three DAYS TO MAKE AN IMPACT !</b></em><i><br /> </i><br /> To read the proposed rules, go here - <a target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103036046879&s=1062&e=001Za2sMILnjk4rW56o7NOf20iqvBYY06uxsTJ8s67j1BkwxO8Rlm7KBXLV7_Sgx8BvwKdLZ_s_NANP6rj2AyHlmzDOt7TQ65FiG_NmJiGY7gJpY2p65AqPmCGy0l7YZTYGOwEJJ36l1Nm2ArCjlt-AozxIjw9LSSN-4PrAFDfP2oG3ktl2NRScuXC5rUYMAbNiv1CPlmKixy0="><span><font color="#0000ff">http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#documentDetail?R=0900006480a6b033</font></span></a></p> <p>To file your comment, go here - <a target="_blank" href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103036046879&s=1062&e=001Za2sMILnjk5eFMweuPAZPmjPFHEQSaYXRKm4vYcLQXNS6o6WI9zPnHq1ltloH-CHRgTuNaskkoJlPVVmq6y1J5PY10BPMzgnfJqvePxz-dJA3oL5ytH3Nk-CbfhxsPMDPTtBR7Pgu38MCEdkFT9pl8bU4-1fHwwVbbFdV_DsUQZHiMuccNAJ5HFiBVRtZ4u8RWArhKBFIZE="><span><font color="#0000ff">http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#submitComment?R=0900006480a6b033</font></span><span><br /> </span>and fill out the form.</a></p> <p style="text-align: left"><strong>What should you say? </strong>Say what you feel, but say it politely!The message should include that you would like the definitions in the proposed rules to be changed so that private individuals can originate and service loans on properties they personally own. Here are some ideas suggested by others for points you might want to make:</p> <p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left"><span>bank loans are not available on some types of properties <br /> the tight lending climate has made bank financing "out of reach" for many <br /> seller financing is an "age old" tradition based on private property rights <br /> these rules would prohibit even partial seller financing - i.e. a "seller second" <br /> according to HUD's "Residential Finance Survey" in 2001, roughly 40% of all non-farm residential properties in the US are owned free and clear <br /> an estimated 6 million Americans own a property other than their own primary residence <br /> an estimated 4.5% of Americans own three or more properties, many purchased solely as investment properties <br /> 40% of non-owner occupied residences are mobile homes which are more difficult to sell with bank financing <br /> approximately 5% of homes in US are for sale or for lease... seller financing may be key to liquidating this inventory<br /> </span></p> <p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left"><b>Please do not delay in following the steps above and make your voice heard.</b></p></blockquote> http://www.homevestors.com/blog/article.php?id=917 Fri, 12 Feb 2010 19:00:00 CST