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ASK TONS OF QUESTIONS, and make sure the person you speak to doesn't double talk you. This lady I spoke with was a great double talker, and wouldn't actually answer my questions. The only way I got my questions answered was to restate her words into my own words and she would say "that's part of it" and then double talk some more.
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13 Comments on Homes For Heroes- Warning to anyone wanting to sign up
All these companys say they ahve the INSIDE track ...if they realy did why not open a brokage. and make ALL the money no just some of it
Eric, They are licensed in like Minnesota or Montana or something like that. I also got the speech that they'll be a household name within another 3-5 years, however, they've already been around 9 years so what difference is another 3-5 going to make? They aren't a household name yet...
so what are the main benefits of the program for the "hero"? Do they basically just give a credit to the buyer at closing for part of your 25% referral fee? If that's the case, why don't you just start a program called "Donna's Homes for Heroes", give them back the full 25% and cut out the middle man? or is there some other incentive that i'm missing here? I checked their website but there are is no clear explanation or definition of the incentives
John, THe Hero gets the full 25% at closing, so it's not an actual referral fee, but it's the amount of a typical referral fee, so that's not what I'm balking at. It's great for these people to get that money in their pockets, but I disagree with the other fees this company is asking for.
And I could do exactly what you suggested and by like those people who rebate back 1% or such, but I'm a full service agent so I can't afford marketing as well as giving money away. The initial discussion was that the company did all the marketing, but they don't...
One of their reps actually has a profile here on AR and says they are a non-profit, but they're not. They are a FOR profit company.
We at Homes for Heroes® are deeply disappointed that we have to respond to this blog. Regretfully, there is a need to bring some clarification to this program for the sake of our affiliate members and the Heroes we serve every day.
Homes for Heroes was organized to create a program that would benefit or Nations Heroes and allow Realtors and lenders an easy way for them to give back to those Heroes. Most Realtors and lenders want to give back to their communities, but many don’t actually have an organized plan to do so. Homes for Heroes provides a program to fill that need..
Homes for Heroes is a “profit with a purpose” marketing company. All founders of the company continue with their other “income producing” jobs to sustain this program.. The profit for Homes for Heroes is made in how many Heroes we serve. Homes for Heroes has helped thousands of Heroes achieve their dream. Heroes’ success is our success. Our headquarters has been in donated space since the company’s inception. Homes for Heroes marketing has been paid out of founder’s pockets. The website has been donated by believers in the program. Our “employees” work just as a Realtor, on commission only. A portion of the affiliation fee is paid to our Program Directors. The Program Directors role in this program is to coach affiliates to reach more heroes. This program is sustained by those who believe in the program.
Since early 2002 we have been able to reach thousands of heroes nationally about this program. Until shortly following the events of 9/11/2001 there was no Homes for Heroes program. Since we formed the program it has become a household name in many parts of the country.
So let’s address the fees. You are right; most Realtors do not have an issue with giving the 25% of gross commission back to the hero. The fee to become one of our Homes for Heroes Affiliates is $120/month or $1,200 if paid in full for the one year contract. You get much more than just the opportunity to call yourself an affiliate. You have access to the Homes for Heroes marketing material, the use of the Homes for Heroes brand and the ease of having everything you need to increase your business while giving back to your community. You also have the opportunity to receive leads. In the last 12 months more than 2,000 Heroes have registered on our website for these real estate rebates and discounts in Texas alone. These Heroes are connected with our affiliates every day.
We also receive .15% of the selling price on closed hero transactions. This income has two earmarks: To reach more Heroes and to fund the non-profit Homes for Heroes Foundation.
The Homes for Heroes Foundation was formed because of the needs we learned about through our Homes for Heroes name. We began to receive many calls from injured soldiers returning from duty and looking for assistance. It was the Homes for Heroes name that drove them to us. Their stories were many and so compelling that we formed the Homes for Heroes Foundation whose mission is to provide needed support in the form of financial assistance and/or housing resources to our nation’s Heroes who have been wounded in the line of duty or are needy.
We provide and arrange for housing modifications to compensate for injuries, pay rent for a soldier whose pay was delayed, give financial assistance and support to firefighters and police officers and their families when they have been injured in the line of duty and are needy.
It should be mentioned that even non profit companies have budgets, pay rent and have salaried employees.
The Homes for Heroes program is not for every Realtor. We are not looking to affiliate with every Realtor. Many have their own charities and groups that they like to give back to and of course they can do the same thing we do, without us. (You cannot, however, use the Homes for Heroes name). But if you don’t currently have a program like this in place and have been looking for a way to give back while building your business then Homes for Heroes might be the perfect program for you.
Donna,
Thanks for this information. I don't understand the fee structure, and wonder why the comments from Homes for Heroes was not signed?
Helen, I have no idea why you felt the need to explain exactly what I explained in my post. But thanks for reiterating all the fees so the next agent who doesn't get their questions answered can have two detailed breakdowns in one place.
I am curious as to why you said you have "leads" when it was said very clearly, and multiple times, that your company is not a lead generating company. Also, thank you pointing out something I mentioned in my blog about how the marketing material is provided for the agents, which is case and point that you, the company, are not actually don't the marketing to get affiliates the "leads", and the marketing comes out of the agent's own budget.
Richard, The fees make no sense, except that they're a FOR profit company and need to pay bills some way. Personally, it would make more sense for them to turn into a non-profit company, but hey, we live in a world where companies are filing BK just because they're tired of their debt.
Hello Richard and Donna -
Thank you for the opportunity to discuss how the Homes For Heroes program helps our Heroes and how the marketing opportunity for Realtors and Lenders (Affiliate Program) works.
My name is Brad Oosterhuis, Executive Director for Homes For Heroes, and am proud to have come on board recently to help build the program nationally. This is a great program that will help support the everyday heroes that support our communities and country.
I encourage everyone to look at what they can do to help our heroes. Our program is a great option for those who are looking for a proven marketing program to add to their business.
If there are any questions that I can answer for anyone - please contact me at brad@homesforheroes.com.
Kind regards,
Brad Oosterhuis
Executive Director
Homes For Heroes
Hi my name is Caleb Shaw. I have been a Realtor affiliate with Homes for Heroes for 3 Years... This program is the cornerstone of my business and is the reason my business has grown since I started in real estate. I have found that giving back to my community feels great and is good business.
I am in touch with headquarters quite frequently. Contrary to the recent comment here, this last month has been the busiest month in the history of Homes for Heroes. They have not let go, but hired an additional 10 people in the last month to keep up with the demand for affiliations. Only two of 10 ten directors have left, not everyone is a perfect fit and they went on to pursue other things. Homes for Heroes has experienced an unprecedented increase in active affiliates renewing and expanding their territories, so clearly they must perceive there is value!
Homes for Heroes is on track to bring an additional 1000 affiliates this year in order to satisfy hero demand. The charitable foundation is partnering with Home Depot for repairs to heroes homes. They have also partnered with a large national bank to distribute bank owned homes to heroes…mortgage free!!!
Homes for Heroes is not a one size fits all program, but there is a value. I am proof, my community is proof, the 100+ local business that have joined our Friends of Heroes program to give back are proof, and finally the thousands of dollars saved and given back to our heroes is proof.
I am the son of a Texas Ranger, did 7 years in the military, and both of my brothers are still serving, helping heroes is not only a business choice but a personal conviction that I am proud of. I am not here to argue or convince, just to say I have enjoyed every moment of Homes for Heroes, and the value is not only there monetarily but emotionally as well.
No one censors by blog except for me. Here is a comment I received via email today that I wanted to put as a comment on here:
"I tried to comment on your blog in support of the blog. As a previous Director for Homes for Heroes, they sent me a nasty letter and made me take down the post. I think it is important for the word about them to get out. Would love to see you repost this. They are nothing but a for profit company playing on the heroes. You hit the name on the head when you said if they really had the heroes at heart, they would be a non profit."
Dear activerain members,
As a community, I believe we all rely on activerain for accurate information about our industry and not as a spewing forum for vindictive former employees and terminated affiliates. All of us use this incredibly valuable blog site to share ideas, news and information, etc. Hopefully or presumably the information put our here is as accurate as possible, so that we may use this information to better our careers and provide more value to our clients.
As a representative of Homes for Heroes, Inc. and an activerain rainmaker I would like to point out the post that Donna was referring to was removed by the poster, because they cited absolutely false and inaccurate information. This was brought to her attention by Caleb Shaw’s post above and by the company she was referring to, Homes for Heroes.
I am a huge proponent of truth and freedom of speech. I would not have a problem with her posting her thoughts and opinions on Homes for Heroes such as the ones she mentioned in her private, secretive email to Donna. At least her opinions with the removal of her inaccurate statements can open discussion and dialogue and at the end of the day, a person is left to make up their own minds.
Homes for Heroes (the company) will never apologize for being a for profit company. Indeed, this is how we are able to give millions back to our heroes. An entity does not have to be blessed and certified by the IRS as a 501c3 to be a charitable entity. Target Corporation (a for profit) gives on average over $3 million away every week in charitable donations and more than $150 million per year. Target is consistently ranked as one of the most philanthropic companies in the country. This is more than any local non-profit can do.
We chose this business model as a charitable enterprise purposely, so as not to have our hands tied by the restrictions and laws of a registered nonprofit. As we say on our website, no red tape, no extra paperwork. Also our heroes and affiliates using our program enables us to help fund the Homes for Heroes foundation (yes, an IRS recognized registered 501c3 charitable organization.) established for those heroes in dire need and beyond the mission and scope of the company. We are proud to claim our charitable foundation has no paid staff or administrative overhead.
I believe our heroes do not feel used, but thankful. Currently we have many wonderful projects from building a handicap ramp in Missouri to replacing a furnace for a disabled vet in New York. (The last of which project is in conjunction with that no good for profit Home depot!) And as for the company… according to our independent surveying service, 98.2% rated their homes for heroes experience as excellent and 100%. Not one said they feel they were being used!
Thank you for posting this Donna and allowing opportunity for discussion.
Helen Johnson
Homes for Heroes, Inc®
The Homes for Heroes Foundation
Helen, You can say what you want, but "Homes for Heroes" is NOT helping any Heroes. The AGENTS are helping the heroes by giving their commission to them. Homes for Heroes is NOT paying a dime to the heroes buying houses. That's MY issue I have with all your double talk. I don't care about the charity you have set up, as that is completely separate from the Homes for Heroes program. This is a program where the AGENTS pay into it every single month AND also give their hard earned commissions away to the buyer. I'm sorry, but I don't see how the "Hero" is benefiting anything from YOU!
Interesting conversation.
I enjoy your blog Donna, keep up the good work!