How Homes for Heroes is helping firefighters find homes
Homes for Heroes is dedicated to helping first responders buy, sell, and refinance their homes
Oct 29, 2015
The following is paid content sponsored by Homes for Heroes
By FireRescue1 BrandFocus Staff
Buying a home is the biggest investment most people will make in their lifetime. It’s also one of the most difficult decisions one can make, and to get the most out of your investment, most people – including first responders – really need an expert who can help them along the way.
While being a first responder is rewarding in many ways, it is not necessarily financially lucrative. The founder and CEO of Homes for Heroes, Ruth Johnson, noticed this and sought to find a solution.
How it all began
Homes for Heroes was founded in the wake of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. After seeing the dedication and sacrifice of the hundreds of fire fighters, police officers, and first responders who worked in the aftermath of that fateful day, Mark Micek ask his mother, real estate agent Ruth Johnson, if there were any programs that existed to help these people afford homes. There weren’t.
They knew they were onto something, so they enlisted the help of Ruth’s sister, Helen, and her daughter Kacy, both of whom were also real estate agents and began working on the idea. It was a great way to give back to the heroes, and a great business opportunity. “We wanted a way to say ‘Thank You’ to those who serve and sacrifice so much,” said Johnson.
Now, nearly 15 years later, Homes for Heroes has helped over 7,000 first responders and other community heroes find homes and has given back over $11 million in savings.
The network currently boasts nearly 1,700 real estate agents and mortgage lenders across the country, making it the nation’s largest network of professionals committed to providing discounts to first responders who are looking to buy, sell or refinance a home.
How it works
The concept of Homes for Heroes is to connect first responders with real estate agents and mortgage lenders who understand their unique situation. First responders who use agents or lenders in the Homes for Heroes network can enjoy savings that would be unimaginable otherwise, and it’s without any confusing red tape to deal with.
In order to receive the Homes for Heroes rebates and discounts, you must work with one of the affiliated real estate agents or mortgage lenders. The process is simple: upon completing the registration process on their website, first responders will be contacted by a real estate professional in their area.
On average, first responders who sign up for the program save over $2,000 at closing, and the process is straightforward. First responders receive a 25 percent discount on their Homes for Heroes real estate agent, broker, or their company’s gross commission at closing*. They also receive a discount on lending fees charged by their in-network lender specialist. Other possible discounts include title-closing fees (where available and allowed by law). The money saved can go a long way to helping pay for family necessities.
Additional benefits
The program has expanded in scope since it began and many local businesses have joined Homes for Heroes to offer savings. Through the Friends for Heroes program, local businesses from car dealerships to pool builders and appliance specialists also offer discounts to first responders.
In addition to the savings, each time a first responder uses Homes for Heroes to buy, sell, or refinance a home, a donation is made to the Homes for Heroes Charitable Foundation. This non-profit organization provides and coordinates financial assistance and housing resources to heroes in need. In September, the Foundation gave over $14,000 in assistance to heroes who were struggling.
Homes for Heroes is a helpful resource for firefighters, EMTs and paramedics looking for assistance in buying, selling, or refinancing a home. But, through the Friends for Heroes program and the charitable foundation, it has become much more. It’s a way for businesses to help those who help our communities the most.
To find out more about the program, visit www.HomesForHeroes.com.
* Homes for Heroes Inc. is a licensed real estate company in the state of Minnesota. Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Oregon, Alaska, Tennessee, and Missouri have restrictions on rebates.
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