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How Cash 4 Houses is turning a city's ugly situation into perfect PR
By Lanese Querner Prichard, AL, residents whose homes are at risk of being bulldozed in the city's "Operation Eyesore" campaign have new hope, thanks to their local "ugly house" guys. The goal of Prichard's "Operation Eyesore" is to improve the city's aesthetics. While many citizens are on board with the idea, others face a serious threat. Owners of the dilapidated homes targeted by the city who are unable to afford the necessary repairs could see their properties leveled. But thanks to HVA franchisee Steve Brown of Cash 4 Houses, many of these homes will be saved. In partnership with the City of Prichard and Mayor Ron Davis, Brown has pledged to make an offer to buy and rehab several of the houses facing demolition. "This program gives us a chance to help people out of an ugly real estate situation," explains Brown, an HVA franchisee since 2004. "We handle the costs and labor needed for repairs, and we put beautiful homes back on the market to breathe new life into the community." Joining Mayor Davis during the official announcement at a press conference on March 23, Brown has received a wave of community support, including a full story in the Mobile Press-Register, a television news segment on the local CBS affiliate, and an appearance on the city's television program. Brown opened Cash 4 Houses in Mobile, AL, with his wife, Mecca, and parents Ron and Marie Brown. Prior to that, the Browns ran a real estate business in Jackson, MO. Later, Steve Brown explored franchising and discovered HVA on the Internet. "The HomeVestors training really opened our eyes to how much we could grow," says Brown. "We now see that the number of houses we sell in a year is only limited by how many times we implement the HVA system." The low cost of living has made the Mobile-Prichard area a good market for Cash 4 Houses, and has even become a popular market for out-of-state investors seeking rental properties. Selling to investors brings in a steady stream of business and cash flow security, allowing Cash 4 Houses to participate in other projects, such as "Operation Eyesore," that give back to the community. Their growing rehabbing business also allows them to make more houses available to first-time home buyers. Brown says staffing has played a large role in their success. Before entering the real estate business, Brown worked in the restaurant industry. There, he learned the importance of staffing as it relates to growth. Early on, Cash 4 Houses staffed their business based on where they wanted to be, not where they were. And Brown thinks it worked. With commission-based employees who are driven to produce, Brown said meeting his company's goal to buy120 houses this year shouldn't be a problem. "Don't try to do it all yourself," Brown says. "Hire the necessary staff to allow your business to grow." For Cash 4 Houses, every challenge is a new opportunity. "In real estate, we are problem solvers. We are able to capitalize on our problem-solving abilities and turn a profit," explains Brown. With their new partnership in the "Operation Eyesore" project, they hope to turn homeowners' problems into new beginnings. . . . Lanese Querner is an account coordinator with BizCom Associates, HVA's public relations agency. She can be reached at 972.490.8053
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