Oct. 15, 2007 Edition

California Here We Come

HomeVestors opens Sacramento market By Jason Killough California, here comes HomeVestors! HVA is excited to announce that we will begin awarding franchises in Sacramento, CA, effective immediately. This marks the first entry into the state for HVA. "Our expansion into California is in direct response to the demand for our services there," said John Hayes, president and CEO of HomeVestors. "Many of our franchisees deal with California investors, and now it’s time to take our brand to them. I expect some of the California investors who now buy properties in other states will want to fly our flag in California. For many years we’ve received non-stop calls from California prospects and we've always had to put them on hold. It's exciting now to have something to talk to them about!" HVA franchisees who know of friends or associates that are interested in the Sacramento area should contact Franchise Development and qualify to receive a $10,000 referral bonus when the prospect becomes a franchisee. Sacramento seminars set for Nov. 2, 3 Hayes will join the Franchise Development team on Nov. 2 and 3 to conduct seminars in Sacramento. The seminars provide opportunities for prospects to learn more about HomeVestors and how they could become franchisees. Information about the seminars, along with registration details, is posted at HomeVestors.com. The seminars will occur at the Radisson Hotel in Sacramento -- Friday, Nov. 2, from 2 to 4 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 3, from 10 a.m. to noon. Contact Gregg Stengel in Franchise Development at 972.532.8007 for more information or to register a prospect for the seminars. Other upcoming seminars include Oct. 19 – Norfolk, VA Nov. 17 – Newark, NJ Webinars available every Tuesday For prospects unable to attend a seminar, Franchise Development offers a weekly, live Webinar. During these phone and Internet presentations, potential franchisees learn about HomeVestors and interact with the Franchise Development team from the comfort of their homes or offices. They can ask questions via phone or e-mail, enjoying the same opportunity to interact with the team as they would have at a seminar. Webinars are offered every Tuesday beginning at 4 p.m. CST, and last from 40 to 50 minutes. The next two Webinars are scheduled for Oct. 16 and 23. For registration information, visit the "Own a Franchise" section of HomeVestors.com, and click on "Upcoming Events/Webinars." Colin Nickerson Franchise Development adds associate director HomeVestors welcomes a new team member to the Franchise Development Department. Colin Nickerson, associate director of franchise development, reports to Jason Killough and will focus on adding new franchisees to the HVA system. He can be contacted at colin.nickerson@homevestors.com or by calling extension 180. . . . Jason Killough is HVA's director of franchise development. He can be contacted at 972.532.8009.

HVA Named To Dallas 100 (Again)

Honor celebrates fastest growing companies Congratulations to HomeVestors of America, its corporate staff and franchisees! For the sixth year in a row HVA has been named to the list of Dallas-Fort Worth’s fastest growing, most dynamic privately held companies. The award is presented by SMU's Cox School of Business and the Caruth Institute for Entrepreneurship. A formal reception and awards dinner will be held at the Morton Myerson Symphony Center on Nov. 7 for the Dallas 100 companies. HVA's ranking among the 100 will be announced that evening. “When we won this award for the first time six years ago, we were thrilled," remembers HVA President and CEO John Hayes. “Second year was exciting, too, but then, frankly, it started to become anti-climatic even though it's quite an accomplishment in a market like DFW to be counted among the 100 fastest-growing companies. And winning it for a sixth straight year, wow, that's impressive! Of course, this award would not be possible without franchisees focused on building strong businesses and a corporate staff committed to the success of the company and our franchisees. So congratulations to everyone who made this a reality for HVA.”

Ugly (Really Ugly) Houses Take The Spotlight

Nation begins voting online today for the HomeVestors "Ugliest House of the Year" We knew it would be bad, but little did we know just how bad it would be. To be honest, we weren't sure what to expect when we asked you to send us photos of the ugliest houses you purchased this year as part of our first "Ugliest House of the Year" contest. You didn't disappoint us! Now that's ugly. Caliente Properties' entry in the Ugliest House of the Year contest was selected as a finalist for the national online voting that begins today. We received examples of some truly ugly houses. And the judges have made their decision. Ten franchisees will have their entries posted for the entire world to see -- and vote on -- beginning today as we honor the worst of the worst. And we're happy to say that ugly is nationwide. Ugly house photos were submitted by franchisee finalists from across the USA: Kris and Kyle Cracknell -- A Place To Call Home, San Antonio Wes English and Matt Jones -- Caliente Properties, Ft. Worth David Ray -- Capstone Real Estate, Montgomery, AL Nick Cifaldi -- Cifaldi Property, Philadelphia Dave Huynh -- Franklin Property Investments, Cincinnati Gregory Weinstein -- Goldmine Properties, Sarasota Michael Ludlow -- Home Again Properties, Phoenix Bobby Roan -- Meadow Wood Homes, Dallas Jeff and Kimberly Drake -- Motor City Home Buyers, Detroit Joy and Sam Slabaugh -- SJS Ventures, Salisbury, MD A national publicity campaign also begins today, designed to send voters -- and potential HomeVestors customers -- to the HVA Web site. Voting ends Nov. 15 and the winners will be recognized at the Annual Convention. To all franchisees who entered but didn't make the final cut, remember there is always next year. And what's ugly today will likely be even uglier tomorrow. So make sure you start collecting your entries for next year now. …More information about the Ugliest House of the Year contest in available at homevestors.com.

Franchisees Elect 2008-09 Franchise Advisory Council

Council welcomes three new members HVA's Franchise Advisory Council (FAC) will welcome newcomers Ian Mendelson , Sheila Konecke and Randy Perez at its December meeting. Mendelson, Konecke and Perez were elected to the FAC along with Kim Drake and Scott Welton, who were reelected for two-year terms. Four FAC regions and one Junior Market seat were up for election this year. The five franchisees will serve on the FAC through the end of 2009. More information about the FAC, including bylaws and minutes, is available on the FAC page of HomeVestors.com. The 2008-09 Franchise Advisory Council includes: Ian Mendelson of Allied Property Group, LLC in Atlanta, GA, won in a two-franchisee race. He will represent Region 1, including Florida, Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi. Sheila Konecke of K2NC in Washington, DC, ran uncontested. She will represent Region 7, Delaware, Washington DC, Maryland and Pennsylvania as well as Regions 8 and 9. Randy Perez of RP Investments in Columbus, GA, ran uncontested for a Junior Market seat. Kim Drake of Motor City Home Buyers in Detroit, MI, is a returning FAC representative. She will represent Region 5 including Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and West Virginia. Drake ran uncontested. Scott Welton of STW Holdings in Charlotte, NC, is a returning FAC representative. He will represent Region 3 including North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia. Welton ran uncontested. Mark Mattlage, FAC chairman, of CalMat Properties in Fort Worth, TX, representing Region 2. J. Barry Watts of Springfield Property Management in Springfield, MO, representing Region 4. Alan Washer of Value Properties in Chicago, IL, representing Region 6. Tim Risley of Front Door Properties in Phoenix, AZ, representing Regions 10, 11 and 12. Retiring from the FAC in December will be: Todd Reid of Nosara in Atlanta, GA. Charles Rutland of PRG Realty in Macon, GA.