Jul. 17, 2006 Edition

Former Eyesore Becomes Family's First Home

Detroit franchise helps renovate neighborhood By Jacy Cochran Jeff and Kim Drake, Motor City Home Buyers, Detroit, MI. From the moment that John and Celeste Gilmore and their three boys set eyes on the cozy Detroit bungalow, they knew they were home. The family of five had been renters for nine years, crammed into a two-family flat. A family member and enthusiastic HomeVestors customer referred them to HomeVestors, where the Gilmore family connected with Jeff and Kim Drake, owners of Motor City Home Buyers. HomeVestors found the Gilmores the home of their dreams. The Drakes spotted the diamond-in-the-rough in northwest Detroit, and renovated the property from top to bottom, including walls, flooring, cabinetry, windows and landscaping. They had planned to maintain the house as a rental property, but when the Gilmores fell in love with it, HomeVestors worked with the family to create a financing arrangement that helped them become first-time homeowners. During the sales process, Motor City Home Buyers warned that the trees on the property that added so much character to the landscaping may later cause foundation leakage issues. Although there was no visible evidence of a problem at the time of the sale, they advised the Gilmores to call them if this happened and they would make repairs at no charge. Soon after the family moved into their new home, an intense rain caused some minor leakage in the basement, and the family was pleased to see that Motor City Home Buyers followed through on their promise and were working to repair the damage as soon as the rain stopped. It’s been several months now since the Gilmore family moved into their home, but the excitement of finally achieving their dream of home ownership has not subsided. While their very active boys enjoy playing basketball in the backyard, Celeste said that owning a home gives her a more secure feeling. Sometimes, she says, when she pulls into her driveway, she can’t help but pause for a moment to relish the beauty of her first home and everything that it represents. HomeVestors franchisees Jeff and Kim Drake helped make this dream come true! …Jacy Cochran is an account executive for BizCom Associates, which provides public relations for HomeVestors of America.

Meet Team HVA's Newest Members

Welcoming ten new offices By Jason Killough HomeVestors of America, Inc. has approved ten new franchises since the last Franchise Development update in The Vestor's Voice®. They include: Dave Bourland and Jay Riggs, Phoenix, AZ; Chris Read and Jeff Kruta, Minneapolis, MN; Ron Plonis, Will and Grundy Counties, IL; Paul Szych, Deanna Talbot and Mark Kistner, Albuquerque, NM; Doug Brenton and Kendall Zaugg, Vancouver, WA; Vesselin Pandourski, Chicago, IL; Lee Crawford and Adeline Crain, Phoenix, AZ; John Cantleberry, Dallas, TX; Sabrina Fitzgerald and Tim Ivey, Ft. Myers, FL; and Rodney and Pionne Corbin, Washington, D.C. HVA is pleased to announce the renewal of a franchise agreement for Jody and Terry Turbyfill, Home Solutions of South Florida. We appreciate their commitment and confidence in HomeVestors and look forward to five more productive years! Jody Turbyfill   Terry Turbyfill $10,000 Referrals Remember: from June 26 through Dec. 29, 2006, HVA's Franchise Development Department will pay $10,000 cash to every franchisee who refers a new franchisee to HVA. Franchisees can opt for $10,000 in ad credits instead of the cash. To qualify for this reward, your prospect must have heard about the HVA franchise opportunity from you directly. If a prospect's name and contact information already exist in HVA's sales database, the lead does not qualify for this program. This special promotion does not apply to transfers. Franchise Development will continue to offer $2,500 in advertising credit for each transfer referred. Franchisees that refer a transfer are eligible to be entered in the quarterly and annual Waves of Success cruise giveaway. . . . Interested in sending leads to HVA's Franchise Development Department? Contact Sherry Wallace at 972-761-0046.