By Vicki Prichard
Northern Kentucky Tribune reporter
Kelly Ervin had just separated from her husband and moved into a three bedroom apartment with her four children when a friend suggested that she contact Homes for Heroes for help with her hunt for a new home.
“I called them hoping for the best and expecting nothing,” says Ervin, a local nurse.
She got in touch with Lorey Hall, who is the key contact in Northern Kentucky for Homes for Heroes, which is a coalition of real estate agents and affiliates who waive fees or donate commissions to teachers, law enforcement, military, EMS, and healthcare professionals. Hall is a loan officer with Homeside, a mortgage lending agency. Hall introduced Ervin to Johnny Hodge, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker in Northern Kentucky.
Homes for Heroes helped retired Covington Schools teacher Linda Hall when she and her husband decided to sell their home.
“I’m a registered nurse and I work hard for my family and my patients,” says Ervin. “I would not be where I am today — in my house — if it wasn’t for Homes for Heroes. I adore Lorey and Johnny. They started out as my lender and my Realtor but quickly became my friends. They listened to my story, worked hard to make great things happen for my family. They cried with me and rejoiced for me when I closed on my new home.”
Founded after the tragedy of 9/11 by Minnesota real estate agent, Ruth Johnson, Homes for Heroes, was established to offer considerable savings to the heroes who work in the trenches when they buy or sell a home as a way to say, “Thank you.” Since its founding, the program has saved heroes in its identified professions more than $20 million dollars.
Hall joined the Homes for Heroes program in Northern Kentucky a little over a year ago. She says that while the program is generally made up of Realtors and lenders in the industry, her local team — which includes herself, Hodge, and Jeff Williamson in Ohio, a Realtor with Keller Williams, Inc.— wants to incorporate more, incorporating discounts on essential services for homeowners.
“We have discounts for not only Realtor and lender, but also inspection, title, home warranties, and HVAC,” says Hall. “We also have moving services and restoration.”
Hall says a person doesn’t have to use every service available to receive the benefits.
“We have situations where somebody might already have a lender but maybe needs a Realtor or a warranty situation. The focus is on the hero, so whatever they need, we’re going to put them in touch with those people.”
For homebuyers and home sellers, Hall says the realtor basically gives a portion of their commission.
Homes for Heroes helped nurse Kelly Ervin find a new home for herself and her four children. Left to right: Lorey Hall, with Homes for Heroes; Kelly Ervin; and Johnny Hodges, with Coldwell Banker.
About two weeks after a closing the ‘hero’ receives a check. The rebate equates to about $700 per $100,000 in purchase price, so, for someone purchasing a $200,000 house, they would receive a $1400 rebate check. Realtors also donate another five percent of the commission to the Homes for Heroes Foundation, which is a nonprofit within the program that helps veterans or local heroes if they need financial assistance.
Hall’s employer, Homeside, provides a credit for the cost of the appraisal. She says they will also take $60 off the inspection, which is optional.
The process for receiving the benefits of Homes for Heroes is every bit as simple as Ervin’s experience — simply contact Hall and let her know your profession.
“As long as they’re in one of those professions, there’s really no vetting process,” she says.
Among the heroes that the program has served was Linda Hall, a retired Covington Schools teacher.
When Hall and her husband decided to put their Florence home on the market, Home for Heroes provided both ease and savings.
“It was a very nice way to get through the process,” says. “They walked us through every step of the way. You save money and it’s kind of a repayment for what you’ve done.”
“Lorey knew we were putting the house up for sell and told me about Homes for Heroes,” says Hall. “It was a very nice way to get through the process. She’s very professional and thorough and walked us through every step of the way.”
For Hall, who is 68, taught grades kindergarten through eight grade during her 27-year teaching tenure, the ease of Homes for Heroes process
Lorey Hall says all applicants need to do is register to participate, there is no application.
“Some people think it’s an actual loan program and it’s not. They just have access to these savings. If they’re in that position they’re available for that savings, it’s not a loan program.”
Since December 2015, when Homes for Heroes began in Northern Kentucky, Hall says they served fifteen individuals.
“We contacted our circle of influence and really focused on getting the word out,” she says. “I love Realtors, but I’d rather work directly with the heroes.”
Ervin will certainly do her part to spread the word too.
“I recommend them to everyone and will always be their biggest cheerleader,” she says. “There’s not enough time in the world to sing their praises. They took me under their wing and made the impossible happen for me.”
Heroes can find out more information about Homes for Heroes by calling (859-866-1899.
