Frequently Asked Questions


Frequently Asked Questions

Who We Are & What We Do

Our Service Providers

Financial Questions

Our Program

Selling a House to HH4H

Q: Who is Harvest Homes4Heroes, LLC?

  • A: Harvest Homes4Heroes is a home provider whose primary business is to encourage and support home ownership for our Community Service Heroes: police officers, fire-fighters, teachers, nurses and our military veterans. Our primary mission is to reward their service by offering those Heroes that want to stop renting the assistance and opportunity to own a home of their own.

    We do this through our unique program that combines affordable HH4H home buying solutions for our "Heroes" with the experienced services of our professional housing Partners - within one comprehensive program.

    Our program team of lenders, realtors, home service providers and renovation experts serve as a constant source of information and assistance to our CSH clients through each step of the home buying process. Through simplifying the process and improving the efficiencies, we aim to assist our clients to maximize their opportunity to stop renting and buy a home. We want to challenge the stigma and preconceptions many our "Heroes" have about their inability to purchase a home, and assist them to "harvest their dream of home-ownership".

    While our service provider partners prepare our "community service heroes" for home ownership, HH4H will locate, renovate and provide the safe, affordable, quality renovated homes for them to buy.

Q: Who qualifies as a Community Service Hero?

  • A: Community Service Heroes include firefighters, police officers, teachers, health care workers and military veterans - every day heroes who provide vital community services to the public every day. If you are not sure whether you qualify, please contact Harvest Homes4Heroes click here, or call us at (804) 269-3925.

Q: How do you help the Community Service Heroes buy a home?

  • A: Simply put, we aim to make buying a home a less intimidating, less expensive and much more supported full service experience for our Heroes. We recognize that too often our Community Service Heroes income level and/or access to additional money for closing costs and down payment often places new construction out of reach at today's non-subprime rates. Many low to moderate income families can't afford the down payment and sizeable mortgage of new home construction. As a result, we focus much of our efforts in finding good, safe, affordable pre-owned homes, in good neighborhoods, that allows us to complete a thorough, quality renovation and still keep it affordable to our Community Service Heroes.

    We provide a variety of purchase options for safe, affordable, quality renovated homes in order to assist our Community Service Heroes to stop renting and own a home of their own. It is important to start building equity and savings in order to make that next step to a newer or larger home down the road. We provide options and assistance to get started.

Q: What are the benefits of buying versus renting?

  • A: The short answer is that a home is an investment, will increase in value, will provide you with more privacy, enjoyment and freedom. Also, the mortgage interest is tax deductible and will result in substantial yearly tax savings. To see more detail, click here: 6 Reasons You Should Buy Your First Home.

Q: Harvest Homes4Heroes offers a "full service" home buying experience. What does that mean?

  • A: We offer a comprehensive home buying process that utilizes a network of Service Providers* who also believe in the service provided by our Heroes. We provide continual and connected team support throughout the process from the very first meeting with our intake coordinator to receiving the keys at closing to your newly purchased home. Every resource needed from financial counselors, realtors, lenders to home service experts have already dedicated their services and reduced their fees to assist our Heroes achieve homeownership. There's no need for our Heroes to spend the time and energy trying to find the right people to help them. We have already assembled your team!!

    We match our qualified Heroes with members of this supportive team of professionals in order to:

    • provide assistance and counseling step by step to simplify and streamline the home buying process
    • assist our Heroes to properly prepare to buy a home through certified education and counseling,
    • repair their credit if necessary,
    • benefit from out of pocket expense savings in reduced fees from our Service Providers*
    • seek financial down payment assistance and/or grant monies the Community Service Hero may have otherwise overlooked, and
    • access the Harvest Homes4Heroes inventory of safe, thoroughly & quality renovated homes that are reduced in price, with no closing costs, to provide an affordable alternative to the often costly, unaffordable new home construction.

      * Realtors, Lenders, Appraisal & Inspection professionals, Construction & Renovation professionals

Q: Does Harvest Homes4Heroes build new homes in addition to renovating homes?

  • A: Yes, we do. In those instances where our Community Service Hero client has been pre-approved and qualifies for a new construction priced home, and we agree on a location and can acquire the lot in which to build, we can build you your home. We share the same dedication for providing a safe, affordable, quality new built home as we do in our renovated homes. As a result, we go one step further!! We commit to "building green" and use EarthCraftTM certified and Energy StarTM rated Class A Contractors in order to deliver a much more energy efficient home that will provide healthier indoor air quality, lower utility bills, more durability, less maintenance and ultimately greater comfort for you, the homeowner!

Q: Who are your network Service Providers?

  • A: For a list of our Service Providers please click here.

Q: How do I realize savings from the network Service Providers?

  • A: Each prospective Service Provider is pre-screened to ensure they recognize and support rewarding the service of our Community Service Heroes, thus ensuring you receive the first-rate treatment our Heroes have earned and deserve. By agreeing to participate in the Harvest Homes4Heroes network, those Service Providers that charge a fee, have agreed to discount a portion of their fees to help make your purchase more affordable. It’s that simple.
    • On a Harvest Homes4Heroes home purchase, HH4H will pass these savings to you in the form of a discount off listing price and closing cost assistance vs. a rebate in the form of a check.

Q: What type of experience do your Realtors have in being able to assist me?

  • A: We have assembled a team of Real Estate professionals that specialize in helping buyers locate the resources they need to become homeowners. With over 20 years of experience in affordable housing, our Real Estate team has the expertise to help you and your buyer's agent navigate the process from start to finish. They will not only help you select a home that you can afford and meets your needs, but will also help you locate money for down payment and closing costs. Our team works with you every step of the way to get you to closing on your new home!

Q: What does the Harvest Homes4Heroes program cost?

  • A: In most cases – NOTHING at all! The initial Introductory Seminar (“How to prepare to buy a home”) is free and the initial Client Intake Session with one of our VA State certified housing counselors is FREE. If you elect to utilize our experienced team and efficient program to maximize your chances of receiving down payment assistance and improved qualification eligibility, then the only fee charged is approximately $400. The program fee is equal to a Home Appraisal in the area you want to live. BUT WAIT!! This amount is placed into a secured Escrow Account and held for YOU. If your diligence and commitment to purchase a home results in you buying a home with our help, this amount is returned to you in the form of a free home appraisal – paid by Harvest Homes4Heroes. If, for any reason, you elect not to purchase a home with our assistance, only then would this fee be forfeited to assist us in compensating our service providers for the work they have done with you and for you to date.

Q: How much will I potentially save

  • A: Harvest Homes4Heroes and it's housing Service Providers have agreed to a variety of rebates and discounted fees in order to provide sales price reduction and closing cost assistance to our Community Service Hero buyer. Some of these savings are derived from, but not limited to:
    • discount on the rate or points when you work with one of our approved lenders
    • reduced HH4H realtor fees
    • free appraisal
    • free Home Warranty
    • Reduced pest inspection fee
    • Reduced home inspection fee
    • Reduced closing fee when using HH4H closing attorney
    • below appraisal pricing on the renovated HH4H home with limited to no closing costs**
      • **on FHA loans we will pay closing costs up to 6%
      • On a Harvest Homes4Heroes home purchase, you will receive your HH4H savings in the form of a discount off listing price and closing cost assistance vs. a rebate in the form of a check.
      • The total amount of savings will vary with each transaction, due to the final settlement price of your home. Check with your Harvest Homes4Heroes Realtor for a firmer estimate.

Q: Are the down payment assistance and/or grant monies in addition to the Service Provider discounts?

  • A: YES, if you qualify.

Q: After paying rent, utilities, car payment, food, clothing, gas, phone, and everything else, there is no way I can save for a down payment. What can I do?

  • A: That's can be Catch-22 for most buyers. Once you own a home, the equity in it may be the source for your next down payment when you sell and move into another house. However, if you’re a first time home buyer, you do not have any equity in any property, thus you'll have to come up with the down payment another way, and saving enough for a down payment can be quite challenging. That is where our experience and specialty is most often realized. Most states as well as the Federal Government offer financial assistance, including outright cash gifts and Grants for use as a down payment, to first time home buyers. We continually research and evaluate every possible resource in order to maximize the assistance our Clients can receive. This significantly reduces the amount of down-payment monies personally required of you. Please Contact Us to see what is available to you.

Q: With home prices significantly lower than 5 years ago, should I wait to see if prices come down even more?

  • A: Probably not. Prices may indeed come down more. Even in today’s unpredictable economy and housing market, prices are most often directly related to interest rates. Even though home prices are down considerably, along with moderate interest rates, it is important to make note of the relationship of interest rates and home pricing. When interest rates fall, that makes monthly payments more affordable and prices get bid up due to an increase in buyers. Conversely prices fall when interest rates go up. Let's assume that you are looking at a home that is listed for $200,000. With interest rates currently running at about 5.5%, the monthly payment on a $200,000 loan would be $1,243.91. If interest rates continue to rise, (a very likely scenario), the price of that house might fall to $170,000. However, at an interest rate of 8%, the $170,000 mortgage loan would have payments of $1,355.73. As you can see any savings in the cost of the home would be offset by an increase in the interest cost because of a higher interest rate. In this example, there would be no reason to wait, and this doesn't even take into account tax savings, which would add to the reasons to buy now instead of waiting./li>

Q: How do I qualify for down payment assistance and/or grant monies?

  • A: While every grant is different, generally down payment assistance grants are available to first time homebuyers whose income does not exceed 80% of the workforce housing income for your area. There are exceptions, and your client intake coordinator will help you to identify what forms of assistance would be available for you.

Q: What price range do you generally price your homes after they have been renovated?

  • A: Generally, our homes are listed from $120,000 - $199,000.

Q: My husband and I are looking at houses in the $190-200,000 price range, but we don't know if we can qualify for a mortgage of that size. Should we get pre-qualified for a mortgage, and how much will it cost?

  • A: Yes, it is a wise move to get pre-qualified for a mortgage before you make an offer to a seller. Having been previously approved by a mortgage lender removes a large amount of uncertainty in the seller's mind, and increases the likelihood of a quick closing. With pre-qualification, you'll be in a stronger position to negotiate a better price on the house that you would like to buy. However, preparation, credit review and pre-purchase education is essential before proceeding with getting pre-qualified.

Q: My Credit isn't perfect. Should I try to improve my credit score before applying for a first time buyer loan?

  • A: Yes. Improving your credit score will likely take a minimum of 2-3 months, but will be well worth the wait. By getting a higher credit score, you will greatly increase your chances of approval on the loan as well as qualify for the lowest rates given only to those people who have a better than average credit rating.

Q: Is it true that if I am Veteran and am applying for a VA home loan, that the Seller is allowed to contribute to or pay off certains debts or judgements I have in order to assist me to qualify for the loan?

  • A:YES.

Q: How do I sign up?

  • A: That’s easy. Click here to be taken to the Contact Us form. Answer a few simple questions and a Harvest Homes4Heroes Service Provider will contact you within 48 hours. If you don’t hear from someone within that time frame, please contact Harvest Homes4Heroes at (804) 269-3925. By filling in this form does NOT obligate you to participate. It does, however, show us you are ready to “harvest the dream” of owning a home.

Q: Do I have to use All of your Housing Service Providers, e.g. Realtors and lenders, to enjoy the savings?

  • A: No you do not. However, most Harvest Homes4Heroes’ clients don’t want to miss out on any of the generous discounts provided by our Service Providers, so they choose to use our Service Providers every step of the way.

Q: My husband and I are looking at houses in the $190-200,000 price range, but we don't know if we can qualify for a mortgage of that size. Should we get pre-qualified for a mortgage, and how much will it cost?

  • A: Using a real estate broker/agent is a very good idea. All the details involved in home buying, particularly the financial ones, can be overwhelming. A good real estate professional can guide you through the entire process and make the experience much easier. However, be sure to validate that the Agent you select is well versed in 1st time homebuyer programs, down-payment assistance programs and supports pre-home-buying education. Additional benefits are often realized because the Agent will be well-acquainted with all the important things you'll want to know about a neighborhood you may be considering...the quality of schools, the number of children in the area, the safety of the neighborhood, traffic volume, and more. He or she will help you figure the price range you can afford and should have access to properties beyond the traditional search of the classified ads and multiple listing services for homes you'll want to see. He or she will guide you through the paperwork, and be there to hold your hand and answer last-minute questions when you sign the final papers at closing. And you don't have to pay the broker anything! The payment comes from the home seller - not from the buyer.

Q: What if I am already working with a Realtor?

  • A: If you have signed any legal agreements with a Realtor, unfortunately by law, you cannot work directly with our Harvest Homes4Heroes Realtors. However, that does not prevent you AND your Realtor to contact us. We wil be happy to work with both of you. If your agreement with your Realtor has expired, or is about to expire (see your contract for the expiration date) we would welcome you to contact us at that time. To have someone from Harvest Homes4Heroes contact you to better understand these options, click here.

Q: Are the Harvest Home4Heroes Realtors full service?

  • A: Absolutely! We offer full service at a discounted rate. In addition, many Realtors do not understand the Down Payment Assistance programs and/or the Grant Application process, or they find it too time consuming for the effort they are willing to expend for their clients. Thus, many Heroes miss out on additional financial assistance available to them. Our Realtors have 20+ years dedicated to understanding these programs and assure that no stone is left unturned to ensure the maximum assistance possible.

Q: It just sounds too good to be true. Why should I trust Harvest Homes4Heroes?

  • A: For us, Harvest Homes4Heroes is not a job, it is our passion. We want you to be our client for life so that is how you will be treated. Our reputation for doing what we say and rewarding our Heroes for their service, even in our small way, is our brand. We rely on every Hero we assist to tell their family and friends.

Q: What is the Virginia Fair Housing Law and does Harvest Homes4Heroes subscribe to Fair Housing?

  • A: Title 36, Chapter 5.1, subsection 36-96.1 states "It is the policy of the Commonwealth of Virginia to provide for fair housing throughout the Commonwealth, to all its citizens, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, elderliness, familial status, or handicap, and to that end to prohibit discriminatory practices with respect to residential housing by any person or group of persons, in order that the peace, health, safety, prosperity, and general welfare of all the inhabitants of the Commonwealth may be protected and insured. This law shall be deemed an exercise of the police power of the Commonwealth of Virginia for the protection of the people of the Commonwealth". Harvest Homes4Heroes believes in, supports and promotes fair housing.

Q: Does Harvest Homes4Heroes promote Equal Housing opportunity for all?

  • A: We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.

Q: There is a vacant house on my block, should I contact Harvest Homes4Heroes?

  • A: Absolutely! We Buy Houses too! If the home fits our business model for a quality renovation that still allows for an “affordable” resale price, we can track down the owner and make them a cash offer. If we purchase the house, it will be thoroughly renovated and made available for sale to a Community Service Hero and their family. This improved property will help increase your property value and that of your neighbors!

Q: Do you pay a finders fee if I help you find property?

  • A: In some cases we will pay up to $1,000 for a referral. You will need to contact us directly to discuss the terms.

Q: Do you only buy houses?

  • A: Yes. We buy single family residences for the purpose of renovation and resale at an affordable price to our Community Service Heroes.

Q: How do you determine the amount of your offer?

  • A: Every homeowner's situation is unique. So is the process by which our home buying specialists determine what they are willing to offer for a home. The things they take into consideration include the age and condition of a home, costs of needed repairs, what other homes in the area are selling for and how long it is taking to sell those homes. Our mission always dictates that we thoroughly and safely renovate a home, improve and enhance the features of the home when possible and maintain an “after repair” selling price of $120,000 - $199,000. These and several other factors are used to determine if we can make an offer and what our fair offer would be.

Q: Do you buy houses that are severely run down and in need of repairs?

  • A: YES! We can buy a property in any condition, and we encourage the seller not to spend any time or money making repairs. Our contractors are experts in quality renovations and even if the home requires an upgrade of the electrical, plumbing and/or heating systems, a new roof, new floors or a full renovation to the kitchen and bath, we can handle it and much more.

Q: Where do you buy houses?

  • A: We buy houses in a majority of the greater Richmond metropolitan area – primarily, the City of Richmond and Henrico, Hanover & Chesterfield counties.

Q: Am I under any obligation if I fill out a form to have you review my house or you make an offer to purchase it?

  • A: No, there is absolutely no obligation. We will make you an offer quickly and you are free to either accept or reject it.

Q: Are there any fees involved?

  • A: We do not charge any fees to look at your home or make an offer to buy your house. We do have a purchase option whereby there are NO real estate commissions paid by you.

Q: Once I agree to sell my house to Harvest Homes4Heroes, how long does it take?

  • A: We can complete the transaction in as little as 3 weeks (subject to legal paperwork being in order).

Q: My house is presently listed for sale. Would you still buy my house?

  • A: Yes. If the price is right, it makes no difference whether it is listed or not.