Homework Makes The Dream
Of Home Ownership Come True
By David Grix
Recently Builder magazine,
the nation's foremost Homebuild
ing advocate, recognized the Triad
as one of the top 50 new-home
markets. At the same time, the
magazine honored Fortis Homes as
the top single-family home build
ing company in the Triad in 1992
in terms of sales volume.
Fortis Homes has made a com
mitment to do all it can do to get
people into the home of their
dreams. That goal led them three
^years ago tca institute an innovative
program that allows people to put
? down a smaller amount of cash to
buy one of their homes.
What is unique about the pro
gram is that the homeowners them
selves are doing many of the tasks
usually reserved for construction
workers and in the process receiv
ing credits that can go toward their
downpayment.
"Low Cash ? Down ? for
Homework," known by many
Fortis homeowners simply as the
"work equity program," allows
people to do some of the work
Ah? attention of-Forti^ by-a^ poten
tial customer who had heard of its
success in Ohio. Within two days,
a Fortis representative was on a
plane to Columbus, Ohio, to learn
"Low Cash Down for Homework, " known by
many Fortis homeowners simply as the "work
equity program,"
- David Grix
involved in building a new house,
such as interior painting, landscap
ing and putting up insulation, in
return for credit toward a down
payment.
So far, because of restrictions
imposed by the FHA. the program
has been used in neighborhoods
under SI 00.000 in the Triad, such
as North Hampton and Jefferson
Woods in the Rural Hall/King area,
and Winding Ridge in Winston
Salem.
The plan was first brought to
more about the idea from a con
tractor who was using it with great
success.
The work equity program can
~help people earn credits wortj)
between $2,000 and $3,000T*By
utilizing the program, they can get
into a house with a downpayment
as small as $1,500.
Homeowners can choose to do
all or part of the work to earn those
credits. Some people who had
enough money for their downpay
HOMEBUYERS GUIDE
ment have chosen to use the woric
equity program to save money for
such things as new furniture.
Most of the buyers who work
on their homes have been young
couples who like the program's
money-saving potential because
many of them also have to make
car payments or pay off student
loans.
?, * . ? ? < ?<?,
In the final analysis, Fortis
homeowners who have used the
program have found that all that is
required of them is a little cash
downpayment, combined with
their own hard work, to make the
American dream of homcown
ership come true.
Dave Grix is the Sales
Manager for Fortis Homes in
the Triad , and is a member of
the Institute of Residential
Marketing
Our homeowners
discounts could help you
nail down real savings.
If the rising cost of your homeowners coverage is raising the roof at
your house, call Allstate.
We have a variety of discounts And we'll try to help you nail down a
I homeowners quote you can live with;
8?
Mose' Belton Brown, LUTCF Frank Cockerham
5 105 University Parkway 3238-D Reynolda Rd.
767-1583 721-1032
Aflmte btturence Company. Northbrook, DHnoii
/instate
You're in good hands.
mm?;'
MMM
Gerald Scott Debbie Sowell, LUTCF
2834 Walkertown Shopping Center 3570- D Vest Mill Rd.
, ,595-8056 659-2639
Subject lo qualification and local availability.