Homes for Heroes Blog - Hero Stories, Savings, Tips and Partnerships

Why Rent-to-Own Homes May Not Be the Best Option

March 25, 2020March 25, 2020 / in Buying a Home / by Luke Feldbrugge

Home ownership is still a major part of the American dream for most people, and many can’t wait for the day when they stop renting and finally own their own home. But making that transition from renting to owning can be difficult, which is why some people take it quite literally, choosing to live in a rent-to-own home. A rent-to-own home offers a unique opportunity for many prospective home buyers. But that doesn’t always mean it’s a good idea. Rent-to-own agreements come with a lot of risk for both renters and sellers. Here’s a look at how rent-to-own homes work and why you may want to consider other options.

Helpful Coronavirus Resources for Healthcare, First Responders and Teachers

March 17, 2020 / in Firefighters / by Luke Feldbrugge

As the country attempts to slow the spread of the coronavirus by cancelling large events, closing public facilities and local businesses; we know you, our local healthcare providers, first responders and teachers are on the frontline serving the rest of us. With all of the information circulating, we wanted to create a short list of helpful coronavirus resources from trusted sources specifically for you.

2019 Homes for Heroes Affiliate Awards

March 17, 2020March 17, 2020 / in News & Media / by Luke Feldbrugge

In 2019, our caring community of real estate and mortgage specialists excelled toward our mission of thanking every hero in the nation! The commitment to their community heroes and the Homes for Heroes Circle of Giving was unparalleled. Collectively in 2019, Homes for Heroes and our affiliate specialists served nearly 7,700 heroes nationwide and gave back over $14.1 million to community heroes in Hero Rewards® savings. A select group went above and beyond for the heroes in their community.

Foundation Grants Totaling $25,000 for First Responder Disaster Relief

December 19, 2019 / in Firefighters / by Luke Feldbrugge

The Homes for Heroes Foundation, in conjunction with Homes for Heroes local affiliate real estate and mortgage specialists, awarded $25,000 to three first responder charitable organizations who provide disaster relief funds to help first responders in need. The NVFC Volunteer Firefighter Support Fund received a $7,500 grant to assist volunteer firefighters and EMS providers. The Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association Charitable Foundation received a $5,000 grant to support firefighters in need in the Houston area. And, the FOP Disaster Relief Fund received a $12,500 grant to support their member police officers in need. These grants are part of the Homes for Heroes first responder disaster relief fund initiatives.

$5,000 Foundation Grant Supports Family of Master Sgt. DeLeon-Figueroa

October 31, 2019December 9, 2019 / in HFH Foundation / by Luke Feldbrugge

The Homes for Heroes Foundation awarded a $5,000 grant to the Special Forces Foundation to help support the family of fallen Master Sgt. Luis F. DeLeon-Figueroa who was killed in action on August 21, 2019 while serving during Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. Luis is survived by his fiancee and their daughter, and the Homes for Heroes Foundation grant will go toward helping them make mortgage payments and cover other expenses.

Credit Report vs. Credit Score: What’s the Difference?

October 29, 2019October 29, 2019 / in Finance and Credit / by Luke Feldbrugge

Credit reports are a historical tracking system of how you use credit. The information and data contained in credit reports is used to calculate your 3-digit credit scores. If you are planning to apply for a car loan, mortgage, or credit card, lenders will look at two things to help determine if you will follow their guidelines to pay back any money you borrow: your credit scores and credit reports.

AMVETS Tennessee Post 1776 Receives $5,000 Foundation Grant

October 9, 2019October 18, 2019 / in HFH Foundation / by Luke Feldbrugge

Thanks to Homes for Heroes real estate specialist, Greg Stroud, in Tennessee who nominated AMVETS Tennessee Post 1776 to receive a $5,000 hero grant from the Homes for Heroes Foundation. The grant allowed AMVETS to provide financial assistance for Tennessee veterans and their families in dire need.

STEP Receives $5,000 Grant to Help SoCal Military Families

October 8, 2019October 8, 2019 / in HFH Foundation / by Luke Feldbrugge

Thanks to Homes for Heroes mortgage specialist, Jillian Burry, who nominated Support The Enlisted Project (STEP) to receive a $5,000 hero grant from the Homes for Heroes Foundation. The grant allowed STEP to help several military families in the San Diego, Southern California area receive the assistance they needed to stay in their home and make progress toward financial self-sufficiency.

Negotiating House Price Tips for Sellers

September 25, 2019 / in Helpful Tips / by Luke Feldbrugge

In the real estate world, the list price of a home is somehow both extremely important and ultimately meaningless. Yes, buyers use price as a major factor in their home search, and sellers and agents spend lots of time figuring out what a home is worth to develop a good pricing strategy. But in the end, the list price is just a jumping off point as you enter negotiating house price with the buyer. The actual sale price will be determined during the negotiation process. While this can be a bit intimidating to some home sellers, it’s a crucial part of selling your home. Here are some tips for how to get the upper hand in negotiations and come away with the best price for your house.

How to Save on Closing Costs for Sellers

September 24, 2019 / in Selling a House / by Luke Feldbrugge

Selling a house for the first time can bring lots of unexpected challenges, and depending on the market you’re in, it can take longer than you would like. But closing day is the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s the time when you’ll finally be able to consider your home officially sold and the selling process completed. While you may remember paying closing costs as a buyer, there are closing costs for sellers as well. To make sure everything goes smoothly and to help you save as much money as possible, here’s everything you need to know about closing costs for sellers.