Risk Score
Pending analysis
Investment Range
$107,500 - $477,250
Franchise Fee
$34,000
Total US Locations
1,003
Business Summary
HomeVestors of America, Inc. grants franchises for HomeVestors Businesses, which focus on buying, selling, and rehabilitating residential and commercial properties. Franchisees also provide certain services to property buyers and sellers. They utilize a proprietary system and licensed trademarks to identify and acquire properties that often require repair, and then either assign the contract rights, resell the properties as-is, or complete renovations to increase their market value before selling or leasing them.
Corporate History
HomeVestors of America, Inc. was incorporated in Delaware on March 14, 1996, and began offering franchises for its HomeVestors Businesses on September 19, 1996. The core business involves buying, selling, and rehabilitating residential and commercial properties. Since December 2021, Bayview MSR Opportunity Master Fund, L.P. has been HomeVestors' ultimate parent. HomeVestors operates through various affiliates, including Silver Hill Funding, LLC, which arranges interim and permanent financing for franchisees, and HomeVestors Partners, LLC (HVP), which makes offers to franchisees to purchase properties. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, HomeVestors Investments, Inc. (HVII), previously arranged first-lien mortgages and now services existing ones, with plans to offer second-lien loans in some states starting in 2025.
Financial Overview
Investment Range
$107,500 - $477,250
Franchise Fee (Low)
$34,000
Franchise Fee (High)
$85,000
Royalty %
2%
Equipment Costs (Low)
$2,000
Equipment Costs (High)
$29,400
Working Capital
$25,000
Audited Financials
Yes
Offers Financing
No
Audit Opinion
Unqualified opinion
Financial Health Notes
HomeVestors of America, Inc. presents audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022. The independent auditor has issued an unqualified opinion, indicating that the financial statements fairly represent the company's financial position and results of operations in all material respects. This suggests a strong financial standing with no concerns raised about the company's ability to continue as a going concern.
Financing Details
HomeVestors of America, Inc. does not directly finance the initial franchise fee. However, its affiliate, Silver Hill Funding, LLC, is an approved and preferred supplier of interim and permanent financing loans for franchisees to purchase and repair real properties. For short-term or 'Fix 'n Flip' loans, Silver Hill charges a loan origination fee of up to 5% (currently up to 3% with a $2,000 minimum), a $949 closing fee (covering appraisal and due diligence), and a $250 document preparation fee. Loan extension fees can be up to 1% of the loan amount. Interest rates for acquisition and repair loans can be as high as 18%, while permanent financing for rented houses can be up to 10% over 30 years. Second lien loans are also offered in some states by HomeVestors Investments, Inc. (HVII), a subsidiary, with a $1,790 origination/closing fee and a $250 document preparation fee. Loans are secured by first or second lien mortgages on the properties and require personal guarantees from franchise owners. Loan amounts are typically up to 75% of market value for acquisition/repair (or 100% of purchase price plus approved repair budget, whichever is lower) and up to 80% for rented properties, with rural area loans limited to 65%. Terms are subject to change based on market conditions, creditworthiness, and other factors. HomeVestors or its affiliates may offer incentives to Development Agents to help arrange these loans.
Performance Metrics
Total US Locations
1,003
Franchised Units
981
Corporate Units
22
Franchising Since
1996
Legal & Compliance Analysis
Recent Litigation
Yes
Bankruptcy
No
Litigation Count
9
Litigation Summary
HomeVestors of America, Inc. has been involved in several legal matters. Recently, HomeVestors filed five lawsuits against franchisees for past due amounts, ranging from $25,604.62 to $204,189.34. Some of these have resulted in default judgments or settlements, while others are still pending. Additionally, HomeVestors is a defendant in three ongoing lawsuits filed in 2024 and 2025. These cases involve allegations such as breach of contract, fraud, negligence, and vicarious liability related to former franchisees' actions or property transactions. HomeVestors denies these claims and is actively defending them, including filing motions to dismiss in some instances. One settled matter involved an arbitration with a franchisee from 2019, where HomeVestors sought declaratory relief and damages for breach of contract, and the franchisee filed counterclaims including breach of contract, fraud, and defamation. After various motions, HomeVestors prevailed on most counterclaims, and the franchisee was awarded $103,401 for breach of contract. The parties reached a settlement in September 2022, with HomeVestors paying a lump sum of $576,000 and all claims being released.
Bankruptcy History
HomeVestors of America, Inc. has no bankruptcy history to report, as no bankruptcy information is required to be disclosed in Item 4 of its Franchise Disclosure Document.
Agreement Terms
Initial Term
5 years
Renewal Conditions
To renew their Franchise Agreement, HomeVestors franchisees and their owners must have substantially complied with all provisions of the current agreement and be current on all amounts owed to HomeVestors or its affiliates. They are also required to modify their HomeVestors Business to meet the then-current Systems and Standards. Franchisees must provide written notice of their election to renew between four and six months before the current agreement's expiration. Upon approval, they must continue to comply with the existing agreement, pay a $2,000 renewal fee, and sign HomeVestors' then-current form of franchise agreement and any related documents, which may include different terms and conditions. Additionally, franchisees and their owners must execute general releases of all claims against HomeVestors and its affiliates.
Training & Support Program
Franchisor Assistance
HomeVestors of America, Inc. provides extensive support to its franchisees. Before opening, franchisees receive guidance on operating procedures, purchasing supplies, advertising, and administration. They must complete a 5-day initial training program in Dallas, Texas, with additional virtual and in-field training components, covering various aspects of the business, including property acquisition, valuations, administration, and exit strategies. A comprehensive operations manual (Manual) is provided, and Development Agents also offer additional training and operational assistance. After opening, HomeVestors continuously updates its Systems and Standards and offers ongoing advice based on franchisee reports and inspections. Franchisees get access to proprietary software like UGVille for lead management and reporting, and the ValueChek mobile app for property evaluation. HomeVestors also provides a contact center service to assist with customer inquiries and appointment scheduling. Marketing support includes administering a Marketing Fund and a National Advertising Fund (NAF) for advertising campaigns and lead distribution. Franchisees are required to participate in local/regional Advertising Councils and adhere to minimum monthly advertising expenditures. Further, advanced, refresher, and annual training programs and conventions are held periodically.
Initial Training Hours
97
Training Location
Dallas, Texas and online/virtual
Ongoing Support
After opening, HomeVestors of America, Inc. provides continuous support to its franchisees. This includes periodic updates to its Systems and Standards, as well as ongoing guidance on business operations based on franchisee reports and inspections. Franchisees have access to and are required to use proprietary software like UGVille for lead management and reporting, and the ValueChek mobile application for property evaluation. HomeVestors also manages the HomeVestors.com email system through Microsoft Office 365. Marketing support is substantial, with the administration of a Marketing Fund and a National Advertising Fund (NAF) for advertising campaigns, marketing materials, and lead generation. Franchisees are required to participate in local/regional Advertising Councils and meet specific minimum monthly advertising expenditures. A contact center service is provided to assist with customer inquiries and appointment scheduling. Additionally, franchisees and designated personnel may be required to attend advanced, refresher, and other additional training programs, typically 2-4 days in duration and offered one or two times per year, to keep up with System improvements and new products. Attendance at an annual convention is also mandatory. Development Agents serve as mentors, offering ongoing operational assistance and additional in-field training.
Franchise Requirements
Ideal Candidate Profile
HomeVestors of America, Inc. seeks individuals or entities whose owners are willing to make a significant investment and commit substantial effort to operating a HomeVestors Business. Ideal candidates should be prepared for hands-on involvement, either full-time or part-time, and dedicate their best efforts to promoting services and generating leads within their territory. They are expected to be familiar with HomeVestors' Systems and Standards, actively develop strong relationships with real estate investors for property sales, and generate leads beyond advertising alone. While specific prior industry or management experience is not explicitly stated as a requirement for new franchisees, the company values experience in buying and selling investor properties or small-business experience for its Development Agents, implying such backgrounds would be beneficial. Financially, candidates must be prepared to cover initial startup and operating expenses for at least six months. The franchise application also asks about previous real estate investing experience.
Industry Experience Required
No
Management Experience Required
No
Sales Experience Required
No
Technical Skills Required
No
Operational Details
Location Type
hybrid
Owner Participation
hands-on
Territory Type
non-exclusive
Territory Size Requirements
HomeVestors of America, Inc.'s territories are typically defined as all or a portion of a designated market area, metropolitan statistical area, or a group of contiguous counties. When determining the number of offices and Associate Franchises within a territory, HomeVestors considers factors such as population, current advertising levels, the number of transactions generated in the area, and the number of housing units. While specific numerical size requirements (e.g., minimum population or square miles) are not detailed, territories are geographically based on these demographic and market-related criteria.