Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Helping Buyers become Homeowners – Lowe’s Offers Customers a One-Stop Destination for Repairs, Renovation Products and Service Needs

There are times in life when we all need a little bit of help. Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or someone looking for a fresh start, today’s market can be challenging; however, it is also ripe with opportunity and possibilities. That’s where Lowe’s comes in to lend a helping hand.

Already a leader in the home improvement space, the retailer made a bold decision recently to take its real estate efforts a step further, unveiling a new, nationwide, in-store program, in connection with REbuildUSA, geared toward offering customers a one-stop destination for repairs, renovation products and service needs through the FHA Streamlined 203(k) program, which adds money into a mortgage for repairs and renovations.

“Homes needing renovation are typically the very best buys available; however, most prospective buyers have no idea how to finance both the purchase of the home and the renovation work required,” says Dennis Walsh, CEO of REbuildUSA. “The FHA Streamlined 203(k) offers a competitive solution. At the same time, millions of current homeowners could also benefit from this program that offers excellent rates and the ability to make improvements to their homes.”

Always looking to make the process easier for consumers, REbuildUSA and Lowe’s recently added lending partner Bank of America. The Charlotte-based company joins Wells Fargo as an approved lender in this program.

“Lowe’s is working with REbuildUSA to be the home improvement solution for products and services required by a Streamlined 203(k) loan,” says Mark Malone, vice president of consumer marketing for Lowe’s. “We can help facilitate the needs of home buyers acquiring distressed properties and facilitate the process of getting their projects done.”

Another plus for faster facilitation: Lowe’s is an approved contractor, which significantly cuts down the contractor validation process, from three weeks for independent contractors to about three days.

Specially trained Lowe’s associates in stores across the country, except in Texas, can help the customer plan the project and select products, and Lowe’s independent subcontracted installers can handle the installation. The program allows Streamlined 203(k)-qualified customers to have a huge selection of products and services under one roof, and it gives customers the ability to immediately improve their homes by adding equity with the repairs and renovations.

In good markets and bad, Lowe’s has shown that it’s a staunch supporter of the real estate industry and is in it for the long haul, and it’s now going a step further in helping buyers bring their renovation dreams to reality.

For more information on the Lowe’s/REbuildUSA program, please visit www.rebuildusa.com.

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