HomeVestors of America, Inc. Franchise News

Never a Better Time to Build a Real Estate Portfolio
DALLAS, May 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With home prices declining for the sixth straight month, according to The Standard & Poor's/Case-Shiller home-price index, and rents continuing to rise, it's an ideal time for investors to take a hard look at the single family homes for rental market.
"It's a buyer's market for people looking to profit from single family home rentals," says Charlie Calise, a Dallas real estate investor. "There's never been a better time to build a real estate portfolio. The costs are the lowest in recent history."
Calise is a HomeVestor® franchisee, which makes him a member of the largest professional home buying network in the U.S. And the network is continuing to add new independently owned and operated franchisees...

DALLAS, April 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- It can be a wrenching decision: What to do with the family home when aging parents no longer live there? It's a question fraught with emotional, financial and logistical concerns, particularly for the 10,000 or so baby boomers who become eligible for Medicare every day and whose parents are most likely well into their 80s.
"Often the home is in need of repair, family members might live out of town and few have the money or the time to fix-up the homestead for sale," said HomeVestors co-president David Hicks.
Also known as We Buy Ugly Houses®, the company was founded and began franchising in 1996 and since then, has purchased over 50,000 homes nationwide. "I know from personal experience how hard it is to sell the family homestead," Hicks noted...

Record-Breaking First Quarter Boasts Largest Ever Pool of New Franchisees
DALLAS, April 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- HomeVestors, the largest professional home buying network of independently owned and operated franchisees and the number one buyer of houses in the U.S., announces its highest ever class enrollment of new franchisees in the first quarter of 2012.
"Thirty-nine new franchises have opened in the past three months. That number is remarkable and attests to our belief that for the first time in years, there is a true wealth of great opportunity for investors in this business," said HomeVestors' co-president, David Hicks.
HomeVestors of America, the We Buy Ugly Houses® franchise, was founded and began franchising in 1996...

First Quarter 2012 Data Points toward California as a Top Market for Rental Real Estate, but Opportunities Abound Nationwide
DALLAS, March 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The shine may have been off the Golden State lately, but not when it comes to purchasing rental properties. A just-released survey of the Best 100 U.S. Markets to Invest in Rental Property shows California with a commanding lead, boasting 12 markets. But opportunities are noted nationwide. Florida is second with nine markets, Texas is third with seven, North Carolina is fourth with five, and New York, Ohio and Tennessee tie for fifth with four markets each. From Hawaii (Honolulu) to the smallest state (Providence, RI), a total of 39 states and the District of Columbia are represented...

DALLAS, Jan. 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- HomeVestors, the professional home buying franchise network that is the number one buyer of houses in the United States, closed out another banner year by recognizing the outstanding achievements of its nationwide network of independently owned and operated franchisees. From rising stars to rookies of the year, co-presidents Ken Channell and David Hicks singled out the best, most improved, and those who exceeded the company's expectations during a year when even meeting expectations seemed implausible.
"As another year comes to a close, we find it important to recognize the relentless dedication and extraordinary achievements of our franchisees," said HomeVestors' co-president Ken Channell. "Without their commitment to excellence we would not continue to thrive as the industry's most trusted homebuyer...

DALLAS, Dec. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- HomeVestors of America, the professional homebuying franchise network that is the number one buyer of houses in the United States, has announced the purchase of their 50,000th house. The sale was finalized in Oklahoma City on November 21 by Mull Properties, an independently owned and operated HomeVestors® franchisee.
HomeVestors was founded in 1996 and celebrates 15 years in business in 2011. Company co-president David Hicks points out that the milestone is particularly notable because so much of HomeVestor's growth has been achieved in the last few years. "In our first 10 years in business, we purchased our first 25,000 homes; it only took five more years to match that pace," he said.
Ken Channell, company co-president, adds, "Despite the continued home mortgage and foreclosure crisis, our business experienced the second-best year in our history for adding new franchisees...

Projected National Average Return Ticks Up from Q2 to Q3
Ranking Shows Expected Performance of Single-Family Homes Maintained as Rental Properties
No Other National Ranking Like This

DALLAS, Sept. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- THIRD QUARTER 2011 UPDATE -- HomeVestors of America, Inc., known as the "We Buy Ugly Houses®" company, and Local Market Monitor, Inc., a leading forecaster of real estate markets, today released the Third Quarter 2011 update of the "HomeVestors-Local Market Monitor Best Markets to Invest in Rental Property" ranking that was initially published in July. The ranking is intended to help inform real estate investors of current rental property investment opportunities based on their potential future relative returns...

Top 20 Franchises Buy More Than 1,000 Ugly Houses Across U.S. Franchises Improve the Lives of People and the Health of Local Real Estate Markets March 28, 2011 // Franchising.com // DALLAS, TX — HomeVestors of America, Inc., known as the WE BUY UGLY HOUSES® company, honored the accomplishments of its team members with Top Performance Awards announced at its annual convention in December. With about 200 franchises in 33 states, HomeVestors® is the #1 buyer of houses in the U.S.

For the 12-month rankings period, the top 20 HomeVestors franchises bought 1,072 houses. For the same period, the top 20 franchisees sold 995 homes with a total sales volume of $99,943,901.

"Our top-performing franchises are remarkable businesses that demonstrate every day that even in a tough national real estate market, local opportunities abound for profitable investment in ugly houses and sales of lovely homes," said David Hicks, Co-President of HomeVestors...

America's #1 Home Buyer Expands Its Franchise Network Real Estate Investment Opportunities Abound in Residential Real Estate Across U.S. DALLAS, Feb. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- HomeVestors of America, Inc., known as the "We Buy Ugly Houses®" company, announced that 24 new franchisees have joined its franchise network of independently owned and operated professional real estate investors who specialize in buying single-family residential properties at a discount and rehabbing them, improving communities across the country.

New franchises joined the HomeVestors® network in 13 markets across the United States. They include: Emerald Property Group, LLC, Daytona Beach, Florida - 18 franchises in Florida Nine Green Housing, Inc...

America's #1 Homebuyer The "We Buy Ugly Houses"® Company DALLAS, Dec. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- David Hicks, co-president of Dallas-based HomeVestors of America, Inc., the #1 buyer of houses in the U.S., is often asked for advice based on the company's 15-year track record helping investors buy and sell "ugly houses."

The first franchise company of its kind, with just under 200 franchises in 33 states, HomeVestors trains and supports its independently owned and operated franchisees who specialize in buying houses at a discount and rehabbing single-family residential properties. Following is his advice to prospective investors in existing single-family homes. For more information, visit http://www.homevestors.com/. Ugly means many things! Many times "ugly" signifies a house with serious repairs needed simply due to time and age...

Eastern District of Texas Court Enters Ruling in 'We Buy Ugly Houses®' Case HomeVestors of America Remains Diligent in Protecting its Trademarks DALLAS, Nov. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- HomeVestors of America, Inc., known for its registered trademark We Buy Ugly Houses®, recently reached a settlement with individuals who were infringing the HomeVestors trademarks by using the marks as part of domain names and in text on competing websites.

As part of the Settlement Agreement, HomeVestors and the defendants filed an Agreed Permanent Injunction with the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Texas. On August 20, 2010, United States District Judge Michael H. Schneider signed this Permanent Injunction and ordered the defendants to refrain from further using the HomeVestors trademarks...

America's #1 Home Buyer
DALLAS, Sept. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- HomeVestors® of America, Inc., known as the "We Buy Ugly Houses®" company, announced that seven new franchisees have joined its franchise network of independently owned and operated professional real estate investors who specialize in buying single-family residential properties at a discount and rehabbing them, improving communities across the country.
Seven new franchises joined the HomeVestors network in seven markets across the United States:

Midnight Properties 101, LLC in Boston, Massachusetts - 13th franchise in Boston
S4 Investment Properties, LLC in Fort Worth, Texas - Ninth franchise in Fort Worth
S&S Texas Properties, LLC in Houston, Texas - 13th franchise in Houston
DNB Properties, LLC in Mercer County, New Jersey - First franchise in Mercer County
Commonwealth Investment Solutions, LLC in Norfolk, Virginia - Sixth franchise in Norfolk
Metro Area Investors, LLC in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma - Second franchise in Oklahoma City
Fresh Start Property Solutions in Richmond, Virginia - Sixth franchise in Richmond


HomeVestors has about 200 franchises in 33 states...

Franchises Improve the Lives of People and the Health of Real Estate Markets DALLAS /PRNewswire/ -- HomeVestors® of America, Inc., known as the "We Buy Ugly Houses®" company, announced at its annual convention in December that WFI Properties, Inc. (Houston, Tex.) has been named its "2009 Franchise of the Year" as well as the "Top Closer of 2009." C&C Residential Properties, Inc. (Dallas, Tex.) was awarded the "Top Seller of 2009." Evolution Properties, Inc. (Dallas, Tex.) earned "Rookie of the Year" for a first-year franchise. Brian Loughrige with Springfield Property Management, Inc. (Springfield, Mo.) was named "Top Buyer of 2009."

"Our franchisees' performances show how real estate investors are helping the housing market recover across the nation," said David Hicks, co-president of HomeVestors of America...

America's #1 Home Buyer Introduces Program to Help Investors Build Long-Term Wealth with Real Estate Dallas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today is a great time to buy a house. So say national experts of a residential real estate market that has witnessed the lowest housing prices in years across the U.S.

And HomeVestors® of America, Inc., the company famous for its "We Buy Ugly Houses"® billboards and America's #1 Home Buyer, has launched the HomeVestors Wealth Builder Network [www.homevestorswbn.com] to help real estate investors, from novice to pro, learn how to build long-term wealth through real estate.

"While most people know that HomeVestors buys ugly houses, what they may not know is that those ugly houses can turn into beautiful investments," said John Hayes, president and CEO of HomeVestors...

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Chicago has the ugliest house in America. That's according to thousands of people who voted online at www.theugliesthouse.com in HomeVestors' Second Annual Ugliest House of the Year contest. The "winner" was announced today at the company's annual convention at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.

"People know us for our famous 'We Buy Ugly Houses'® billboards, and this contest is proof that we mean what we say," said John Hayes, president and CEO of HomeVestors of America.

The Chicago winner is a 100-year-old property located at 10347 S. Avenue L. The house was purchased by HomeVestors franchisee Scott Gottlieb of SNL Realty, LLC, and has been restored.

"This house was ugly from the inside out," said Gottlieb...

August 28, 2008 // Franchising.com // Dallas -- HomeVestors(R) of America, Inc., the company famous for its "We Buy Ugly Houses"(R) billboards and America's #1 Home Buyer, has announced the HomeVestors Associate Franchise Program. Associate franchises will be awarded across the country to people interested in residential real estate investing on a smaller scale and a part-time basis.

"It's a fraction of the investment with the full benefit of joining a national brand," said Jason Killough, vice president of franchise development for HomeVestors. "With more than 230 full-time operators, HomeVestors franchisees have purchased more than 35,000 homes for cash across the country and we still have plenty of room to grow. The Associate Franchise Program will allow others to join in our success with lower overhead and flexible hours while being coached and mentored by a local HomeVestors Development Agent...

July 18, 2008 // Franchising.com // DALLAS - HomeVestors® of America, Inc., the company famous for its "We Buy Ugly Houses"® billboards and America's #1 Home Buyer, has named the top 10 markets for real estate investing in the second quarter of 2008. They are as follows:
Dallas, Texas Houston, Texas Atlanta, Georgia Denver, Colorado Fort Worth, Texas San Antonio, Texas Charlotte, South Carolina St. Louis, Missouri Milwaukee, Wisconsin Chicago, Illinois; Kansas City, Kansas (two cities tied for tenth place)
HomeVestors, which has bought more than 35,000 homes in the U.S. over the last 12 years, based the findings on the number of houses bought in each market by the franchise network in the second quarter of 2008...

June 11, 2008 // Franchising.com // DALLAS - HomeVestors® of America, Inc., the "We Buy Ugly Houses"® company, announced today that Milford, CT-based Franchise Brands, LLC, has acquired majority ownership of the company. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed.

Famous for its "We Buy Ugly Houses" billboards, HomeVestors is America's #1 Home Buyer. Founded in 1989, HomeVestors sold its first franchise in 1996 to set a new benchmark for professional residential real estate investing. The company has rapidly grown to national prominence as the only franchise that specializes in buying, rehabbing and selling single-family homes to reinvigorate existing communities across the country. HomeVestors' expanding network of 230-plus franchised offices in 35 states and more than 100 major markets has purchased more than 35,000 houses to date...

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Despite the subprime mortgage fallout and real estate market woes, HomeVestors® of America, Inc., the company famous for its "We Buy Ugly Houses"® billboards, has marked the purchase of the 35,000th house by its franchise network.

The house was purchased by Advantage House Buyers, Inc., a HomeVestors franchise in Houston owned by Eddie and Debbie Gant and comes less than one year after the company passed the 30,000 milestone.

"This is another huge landmark for our company," said John Hayes, president and CEO of HomeVestors. "With the current crises in the credit markets and housing, the purchase of the 35,000th house by a franchisee reaffirms that our franchisees provide a valuable and needed service to people all over America in any kind of real estate market...

Real estate investors to discuss home buying and helping country past subprime crisis

April 29, 2008 // Franchising.com // DALLAS - HomeVestors® of America, Inc., known as the "We Buy Ugly Houses"® company, is sponsoring the National Real Estate Investors Association's (REIA) "Day on the Hill," April 30 in Washington D.C.

HomeVestors executives and franchisees will be among National REIA members from across the country traveling to meet with congressional representatives on Capitol Hill. They will address their legitimate role in helping the backbone of the housing industry and the demand that exists for their expertise in helping the country in today's real estate market.

"Real estate investors represent one of the largest cottage industries in our country," said John Hayes, president and CEO of HomeVestors of America whose company has purchased more than 35,000 houses across the U...