How can I save money on my closing costs?
What are some ways I can minimize the amount of money I will need to purchase a house?
Is there a program out there that will help me lower the costs of buying a house?
And where does the Heroes Program fit into all of this?
These are just some of the burning questions home shoppers are asking themselves as they wade through the competitive housing market. With home prices steadily increasing & inflation at multi-decade highs, home shoppers are looking for any & all ways to keep their home finance costs as low as possible. In the sections below, we will explore what the Heroes Program is, what it has to offer to qualified recipients, how to determine whether or not you qualify, & steps to take to apply for program benefits. Keep reading to see how simply being an American Hero can help lower the costs of your next home loan.
What is The Heroes Program?
At its core, the Heroes Program features a grant offered exclusively by a team of Mortgage Advisors known as The Heideman Group. Deeply disturbed by the realization that there were almost 50,000 veterans living on the street at the time, the team’s founder, Robert Heideman, initially launched the program in 2015 to help make homeownership more accessible to our Heroes. “I just wanted to do something, you know?” Robert recalls when asked why he started the Heroes Program. “It didn’t make sense to me that these citizens, who fought so hard to protect our country, were living on the streets or stuck paying ridiculously high rents because they didn’t have the resources needed to help them buy a home. I know I’m only one person. But I believe that by working together, we can tackle any problem facing our society”.
What Does the Heroes Program Have to Offer?
Closing Cost Credit – When you close on a home loan with a member of the Heideman Group, as a recipient of the Heroes Program, you will be awarded a grant of up to $1500 (actual award amount based on loan amount). Those funds are granted in the form of a closing cost credit. This benefit can be used once per loan, and there is no lifetime cap on the number of times you are able to participate in the Heroes Program. This means that, if you are a qualifying candidate, every time you refinance on a home loan, or every time you make a home purchase, you can take advantage of the Heroes Program. As of December of 2021, the Heideman Group has given away $150k to our heroes via the Heroes Program as a thank you for their commitment & service to our communities and our country. The goal for 2022 is to reach $200k by December 31, 2022.
Community Partnerships – In addition to reducing the costs of purchasing a home, the Heroes Program also partners with various departments and organizations across the country to help supply much-needed equipment and supplies. This includes, but is not limited to, connecting with veteran non-profit entities, various police and fire departments, & collaborating with hospitals to assist them with whatever their needs may be. By partnering in this way, the Heroes Program seeks to inspire more high-value community collaborations between local businesses & the various departments & outreach organizations that keep our society functioning like a well-oiled machine.
Support – Let’s face it. Being a Hero is no easy task. It takes hard work, an unwavering dedication & a tremendous amount of sacrifice to step up the plate the way only Heroes can do. Through the Heroes Program, the Heideman Group aims to make our Heroes feel appreciated as much as possible. This appreciation may take the form of a basket of snacks being dropped off in the middle of the day, lunch sponsored by The Heroes Program, & on-site training for home loan strategy reviews. In addition, the Heroes Program also maintains a running list of support organizations (hyperlink ‘list of support organizations’ to another section for support organizations) aimed at improving the quality of life for our heroes.
Do I Qualify for the Heroes Program?
To qualify for the grant portion of the Heroes Program, you must be purchasing or refinancing a home & fall in at least one of the following categories:
- Military Servicemember (includes veterans AND all branches of the United States Military)
- First Responder (Police, Fire, EMS & Dispatch included. Past First Responders with a minimum of 1 year of service are eligible)
- Frontline Healthcare Worker
- Current staff members within Military, First Responder & Healthcare departments/organizations
How Do I Apply for the Heroes Program?
I hope I have shown you the immense value the Heroes Program has to offer. We have covered what the Heroes Program is, the benefits of taking advantage of the amazing resources provided by the Heroes Program, & the criteria needed to qualify for its closing cost assistance component. Now that you have this information, you are one step closer to getting your hands on some extra money to help you lower the costs of your next home loan. Click here to reach out to the Heroes Program Manager, Lillie Danzer, about possibly getting you qualified for that $1500. Your pockets will thank you later 😊