Pamela Currie, Host of the Franchise Business Radio show and Founder of Franchise Intellect, Inc. www.FranchiseIntellect.com Mobile: 847-970-8765 Email: Pam@FranchiseIntellect.com To learn more about guest topics, contacting a guest or becoming a guest on the Franchise Business Radio show simply email Pam@FranchiseIntellect.com David Hicks, the CEO of Dallas-based HomeVestors, better recognized for their marketing message and the original “We Buy Ugly Houses” company. With more than 1,100 franchises in 170 markets across the country. David joined the company in 2005 as director of franchise systems and developed a process for coaching franchisees.       Don Cameron has been a We Buy Ugly Houses franchisee since 2005.  His goal has been to grow his business every year and he has been extremely fortunate to have been recognized as the HomeVestors franchise of the year 5 of the past 10 years.  Don originally joined HomeVestors to grow his business by becoming part of a nationally recognized brand and to take advantage of the fact that HomeVestors allows franchisees to focus on buying houses - something he has proven to be very successful at doing. Since becoming a franchisee in 2005, Don has purchased more than 1,500-2,000 homes from local sellers. Interview Questions Asked: Tell me a little bit about HomeVestors and the work your franchise does? How is HomeVestors different from a traditional real estate business? Tell me a bit about your time with HomeVestors and the work you have done for homeowners in the South Florida market. What is the biggest benefit a homeowner who wants to sell gets in working with HomeVestors? When you first saw the home that was later designated as the Ugliest House of the Year, what was your reaction and if you could renovate it to a point in which it was livable again? What was some of the work that you and your team put into the house, and what were the biggest challenges? Can you tell me a bit about the final outcome of helping the previous homeowner out of a bad situation by offering cash for the house and then renovating it for a new homeowner? What are some of the characteristics you look for in an ideal franchisee?   Learn more about “The Ugliest House of the Year” and this man, Don Cameron, a franchisee, orchestrated a dramatic turnaround. He then provided a home to a young family, and donated $20,000 so other families could afford homes.  HOW IT GOT UGLY: There was a single candle lit outside on the back patio of a single story ranch house in Hollywood, Florida. The wind blew the candle over onto a rug, which caught fire, and within minutes the 1,035-square-foot home was engulfed in flames. extensive smoke damage extensive structural damage the home was unlivable the owner did not want to spend any time or money to repair it. HOW IT GOT PRETTY: Cameron bought the house “as is” Gave the homeowner instant money without having to make repairs prior to the sale He then completed a full renovation that included extensive work and upgrades on: drywall electric plumbing paint floors landscaping FAMILIES BENEFIT - $20,000: Cameron then sold the house to a family with a young child They appreciated being able to move in without needing to do any work to the house or property Thrilled with the total makeover of the home Now enjoys being able to host family and friends in their first home and large backyard As an added bonus, Don Cameron and HomeVestors recently made a $20,000 donation to the local Habitat for Humanity, a global non-profit housing organization, to support its mission to help families in need of decent and affordable housing. Don Cameron: Cameron has worked on many similar projects as one of HomeVestors’ longest tenured and most successful franchisees. His group owns five franchises in the South Florida market