Aug.1, 2008 Edition - Focus on Buying

Assisted Buying

How an HVA buy helped a homeowner in need By Leah Templeton   Leah Templeton At age 89, homeowner Lorina Popp knew it was time to move into an assisted living facility. Her house was in need of repairs, she was advancing in age, and her only living relative was a granddaughter. Mrs. Popp decided to list her house with a realtor last October, but locating a buyer quickly proved difficult in today's economy. Months went by with few to no leads. "I got a letter in the mail from someone that worked with HomeVestors, so we contacted them," Popp remembers. "The house had several code violations and we were having a hard time selling." When Popp reached out to HomeVestors, she found Val Swenson, owner of The Home Liquidators in Milwaukee, WI. Swenson understood that Mrs. Popp was in need of money so that she could complete her move into assisted living. She needed help selling her house, and quickly.   "She originally thought she could sell her house fast," said Swenson. "She had a few offers but they always fell through." The Home Liquidators purchased the house last month and were able to move quickly and get Mrs. Popp the money she needed.   Val Swenson helped Lorina Popp, left, when she needed it most. "The wonderful thing about working with HomeVestors was that I already got the money and was able to move into my new assisted living apartment," she said. After Swenson purchased the home she oversaw several repairs and updates to meet code and make it more attractive on the market. "We painted the basement, had an electrician go through and fix the wiring and installed grounded outlets," said Swenson. "We also had a mason do some work, and we weeded and trimmed the yard." The Home Liquidators put the house back on the market in late July. "I lived in that house for 42 years," Popp said. "It was hard to leave, but I'm glad it's been fixed up and someone else will soon be able to enjoy it again." Has your office made a recent buy that provided much-needed assistance to a homeowner? Share your stories with us. Contact Joanne Graupner at Joanne.Graupner@homevestors.com.   . . . Leah Templeton is an account executive with BizCom Associates, HVA's public relations agency.

Deadline Nears For Ugly Entries

Submit your photos and video now through September 15 By Leah Templeton   Enter now through Sept. 15 Time is running out for you to submit your entries for the second annual Ugliest House of the Year Contest. Enter your ugliest photos and digital video now through Sept. 15.   The top three winners will be announced at the 2008 Annual Convention in Las Vegas.   All you have to do is send in high-resolution photos of your ugly house. Digital video footage will also be accepted along with photography. If the house has already been rehabbed, send in "before" and "after" photos for an opportunity to receive even more media exposure.   The top three contestants will receive: First Prize: $10,000 advertising credit to be used in Q1, 2009. Second Prize: $5,000 advertising credit to be used in Q1, 2009. Third Prize: $2,500 advertising credit to be used in Q1, 2009. Entry details and rules are available under “What’s New” on the HVA home page.   …Leah Templeton is an account executive with BizCom Associates, HVA's public relations agency.