When HomeVestors® franchisee Jim Dow found nearly $10,000 in cash hidden in a Chicago home he had just purchased to renovate and sell, he knew exactly what he had to do. By Jessica Petrucelli
A Lesson in Trust & Integrity
When HomeVestors® franchisee Jim Dow found nearly $10,000 in cash hidden in a Chicago home he had just purchased to renovate and sell, he knew exactly what he had to do.
“Technically, after the closing, the home and all of its contents were owned by me, but in my mind that was a clear mistake by the seller and her family and was never part of my profit calculation,” Dow said. “I called the seller’s nephew, who was assisting her with the sale, and told him his aunt had left something they would want to come back to get.”
The family was thrilled with Dow’s honesty and offered a reward, but he refused it, asking instead that they pay it forward to someone else in need. For Dow, who has been working with the company for more than 10 years in Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland, the decision was common sense and aligned with the HomeVestors of America, Inc. mantra of “giving back.”
“This is an area that I believe differentiates HomeVestors from our competition,” Dow said. “We build rapport with our sellers – a trust that it is more than just a home sale and purchase.”
The real estate investment system, which is the original “We Buy Ugly Houses,” has launched countless imitators. Buying and renovating properties across the country, primarily those in need of repair or those that sellers want to sell quickly. It’s a business that aims to help families through challenging situations, based on the belief that every house, no matter its condition, holds a story and an opportunity for impact.
The franchise has participated in philanthropic giving for the past 30 years through partnerships with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, which receives a significant charitable donation from the company after its annual The Ugliest House of the Year contest. Each independently owned and operated franchise is encouraged to engage in local community service and charitable activities as well.
Additionally, the HomeVestors business model itself supports community revitalization, with owners restoring distressed properties and playing a hands-on role in beautifying nearby neighborhoods. It’s a unique opportunity that allows franchisees to be leaders who effect change in their individual communities.
Jessica Petrucelli