CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 18, 2025--
HomeVestors of America, Inc., the We Buy Ugly Houses® people, presented a “big” check for $20,000 to Lake-McHenry Habitat for Humanity after a 1923 Chicago home was named The Ugliest House Of The Year® for 2024. Franchisees Tara Farnsworth and Bob Albrecht were responsible for the generous donation after their loving transformation of a quaint 1923 home from drug den to dream home won the 18 th annual heated competition.
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“Our mission at Lake-McHenry Habitat for Humanity is to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through providing safe, affordable homeownership opportunities, and we’re incredibly grateful to HomeVestors for their continued commitment to that same vision,” said Joel Williams, President and CEO of Lake-McHenry Habitat for Humanity. “This generous donation will directly support local families on their journey to homeownership, helping build strength and stability in our community. HomeVestors isn’t just transforming houses—they’re helping to revitalize neighborhoods and change lives, and we’re proud to partner with them in that mission.”
Larry Goodman, CEO of HomeVestors®, was on-hand with Albrecht to deliver the check to Williams. While the generous donation hasn’t been designated to a specific home, it will play a crucial role in filling funding gaps throughout the upcoming build season. Gifts like HomeVestors’ are the foundation of Lake-McHenry Habitat’s work, ensuring more families across Lake and McHenry counties can achieve the dream of homeownership.
“’The Ugliest House Of The Year’ highlights the most dramatic ‘before’ and ‘afters’ from the houses purchased and renovated by our independently owned and operated franchises like Tara and Bob in Chicago, and this is the third year that we’ve donated $20,000 to the local winner’s Habitat for Humanity chapter,” said Goodman. “The ongoing collaboration with local chapters around the country through both volunteering and our annual donation perfectly highlights how both of our organizations work in local communities towards a world where everyone has a decent and affordable place to live.”
Once high school sweethearts, Farnsworth and Albrecht reconnected six years ago and started a HomeVestors® franchise together in October 2022. Now engaged, they have beautified 12 houses since then, bonding with grateful homeowners and neighbors as they caringly breathe new life into homes like this year’s winner.
“It’s deeply satisfying to turn the worst house on the block into the best,” added Albrecht. “Our work doesn’t just uplift homes; it transforms entire neighborhoods. We often get to assist people facing emotional or financial challenges, and help them close painful chapters. Some sellers return to see their homes beautifully restored, which brings joy to everyone involved as new life is brought back to a place that holds so much significance.”
HomeVestors® prides itself on buying homes traditional buyers may not consider. After purchase, franchises often improve homes and reintroduce them to their communities as valuable real estate assets, helping maintain an affordable housing supply.
About Lake-McHenry Habitat for Humanity
Lake-McHenry Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building strength, stability, and self-reliance through affordable homeownership. Since 1989, we have partnered with local families to build and repair homes, completing over 200 home builds across Lake County, Illinois. We are committed to building the quality of life, health, and economic prosperity of our community by producing, preserving, and advocating for affordable homeownership – because homes and families are the foundation of successful communities. Learn more at www.habitatlc.org
About HomeVestors of America, Inc.
HomeVestors of America, Inc. is the largest professional house buying franchise in the U.S. with more than 150,000 houses bought since 1996. HomeVestors ® recruits, trains and supports its about 1,000 independently owned and operated HomeVestors franchisees that specialize in building businesses based on buying, rehabbing, selling, and holding residential properties. Known as the We Buy Ugly Houses® people, HomeVestors strives to make a positive impact in each of the 47 states and the District of Columbia in which it has franchises.
Larry Goodman, CEO of HomeVestors®, was on-hand with winning franchisee Bob Albrecht to deliver the check to Joel Williams, President and CEO of Lake-McHenry Habitat for Humanity. While the generous donation hasn’t been designated to a specific home, it will play a crucial role in filling funding gaps throughout the upcoming build season. Gifts like HomeVestors’ are the foundation of Lake-McHenry Habitat’s work, ensuring more families across Lake and McHenry counties can achieve the dream of homeownership.
