I would love to try this!

Look in your VIP kit if you got it there is info on it in there.

I know I've seen it before, it just hadn't crossed my mind again until I read this forum. rpatten said he's done one. Maybe I can talk with him.

Can you tell me what exactly is an Operation Free Home?

http://www.operationfreehome.org/

STORY:

Dean Graziosi, real estate expert and Best Selling author of, Be a Real Estate Millionaire, came up with the idea in the midst of the nationwide housing slump. Currently our country has an overabundance of available homes. Many investors own homes that have sat unsold or vacant for months. Rather than trying to sell a home in a market where buyer's choices are better than ever, Dean decided to take one of his homes off the market and use it to help a family in need... just in time for the holidays.

The hope is that Operation Free Home will expand nationwide as a model for home owners and investors to help as many families as possible. By offering their house, the owner of the home provides a valuable chance for a family to get back on their feet, and in the process receives much needed help in covering the costs of maintaining the home. There are few things as honorable as people helping people. In the end, the Operation Free Home concept is beneficial to everyone involved, owner, winner and sponsors alike.

What are you guys interested in learning more about? Finding the house, find a family or finding sponsors? Let me know and I will help any way I can.

I need help with those

I think I could easily find a house, and I've got pretty good connections in our area, I'm pretty sure I could come up with sponsors. I feel like the HARDEST part would be choosing a family, thinking of the repercussions after the "giveaway".
(I STILL haven't read through the written material I received about it (shame on me). It might be in there.)
I think about the "Extreme Makeover, Home Edition". I always wonder if those families make it after the initial time that they're covered. Can you imagine the taxes on those places?! Of course, I don't think I'd be giving away a mansion! lol
But, more importantly, how are they viewed by their neighbors? There are a lot of jealous people out there! Does it change the dynamics of the family or the neighborhood?
Anyway, I think I would want the help of the DG members to help me decide WHO would get the house. And even with the most unbiased votes, I'm sure a debate would go on forever around here (our county) with opinions of who SHOULD have gotten it.
Any thoughts on this? Do you just not worry about what others think, and do the best thing? I don't know if any of you have experienced this, but have you ever heard the saying "No good deed goes unpunished."?
It is those of us who take risks that risk the biggest backlash. But, by the same token, it is those who take risks that reap the biggest rewards!!
Thanks for any wise words on the subject.
I still would really love to do this!

Rina

I read a little more about the project. I didn't realize it was free rent for a year, not a free house. That makes it a little simpler. But I guess I still am wondering.

Thanks for listening,
Rina

Yep, it is for a year. The thought is, the year gives the owner time let the market settle back out and the winner gets a year to get back on their feet without the pressure of a mortgage. If all goes well, the winner may even end up being able to buy the house at the end if they like living there.

I guess I'm still wondering how you choose the winning family. Does DG have a panel set up to read the stories? Or do you form your own panel? To me, that would be the hardest part of the program. Choosing the winner.

dgadmin or rpatten. Do you have any insight on this?
Or anyone else who's been involved in Operation Free Home?

Thanks in advance,
Rina

Rina

I have not been involved in the home but maybe a good suggestion for the panel would be representatives of the sponsors. Since they will be paying the rent why not let them help choose the tenant. Just a thought

That sounds good, in theory. I just know from experience in the non-profit arena that sometimes it's good to have the decision from an outside source to fall back on when accusations start flying.
Maybe I'm just making this more complicated than it has to be.
It doesn't matter how good your motive is. There's always gonna be SOMEBODY with something negative to say.
So, I guess if I'm gonna do it, I'll just do it, when the time comes.

But, if anyone has more suggestions, PLEASE suggest.

Thanks Anita,
Rina

The winner is choose by the person who is managing the giveaway (the person who creates the account on OFH). Trust me, based on Dean's giveaway, it is hard to pick a winner, there is a lot of people who need and deserve it.

We did actually bring someone on who has experience with these things to help manage this effort as we will be ramping it up to try to help a lot more people on both sides of real estate... the person who needs out of a they can't sell, and the to person who needs a house to get on your feet.

It may sound like wishful thinking, but this model applied in the private sector could solve a lot the problems the government never could. Good karma and a charitable spirit can go a long way.

It will be fun to watch as more people join this effort. I hope to be one of them. I know there are a lot of people in need. There are a lot that would take advantage as well, but, with so many really struggling, it would be great to help as many as possible. And then, because someone gave them a chance, those same people will probably reach out to someone else, and so on. You're right. I think people helping people goes a lot further than people controlling people. I wish success for the whole program, and thank you for setting it up.

Sincerely,
Rina

What are you guys interested in learning more about? Finding the house, find a family or finding sponsors? Let me know and I will help any way I can.

RP, I am interested in the whole aspect. Can you give some advice on all? Th family, houses, and sponsors?