There is a fast-growing demand for socially responsible products and services that offer some sort of “give” or way to help someone in need, and research shows consumers not only want them, but they are willing to seek them out and pay more for them. For example, TOMS, the for-profit business that pioneered the one-for-one model. For every pair of shoes they sell, they give a pair to a child in need. A simple concept that has taken the world by storm, provided millions of shoes to children, and launched several new products beyond shoes. Fun fact: I previously worked for TOMS, and that’s where I met Blake Andrews, the founder of Giveback Homes. With Giveback Homes, we are applying the same concept to the real estate industry, for every home our members buy or sell, we will help build a home for a family in need. We have created a trusted network of real estate professionals dedicated to creating social change, and we’re making it easy for homebuyers to find them.

As the housing market improves, and more and more people are buying and selling homes, finding an agent they can trust in a sea of over 2.5 million can be difficult. For members of Giveback Homes, being part of this social-good network is their competitive advantage. Buyers/sellers choose them because they want to work with people that do good, and they want to do good themselves. Members have seen an increase in listings, referrals and engagement with past clients, because ultimately, Giving is Good for Business!

As a member of Giveback Homes, you receive a unique set of marketing tools and resources to help you share the story, differentiate yourself, and tap into new clientele (How about Millennials?). And you no longer have to wonder where your donations go, as we ensure 100% of all donations go directly to our Building Projects with Habitat for Humanity. And now, less than 2 years in, the Giveback homes movement has spread throughout the U.S, with members across 14 states, who have raised over $100k, built 18 homes for impoverished families in Central America, and launched 10 Building Projects right here in the U.S of A. too.

Here’s how it works:

• A real estate professional (agent, broker, builder, designer, etc.) joins Giveback Homes for $50/month. This gives you access to our network, a profile page on our website, the rights to use the Giveback Homes logo, and help from our in-house design and marketing team, to create marketing material that will differentiate you them from the rest. That’s right, you get help with design and social media!
• When a member is ready, they can make a donation in any amount, at any time, to any of our Building Projects throughout the U.S and Central America. And 100% of their donation will do directly to our building efforts with Habitat for Humanity. We also coordinate Build Days for our members and their clients to come out and help build for a day. Who doesn’t love to use power tools?!
• We send you photo updates and stories of the families that we’re helping, and can even mail your clients a personal letter, thanking them for choosing you as their real estate professional
• And just like that, you have turned you and your clients into humanitarians.

I could go on and on about social consumerism, millennials, responsible giving, cause marketing, and how incredible Giveback Homes is, but I’ll save some for later posts. I’ll leave you with a few examples of Giveback Homes in action:

“I recently sold a home in Hermosa Beach to clients who called me because of the Giveback Homes ad I placed in my local newspaper. They loved the idea of helping those in need!” – Nick Schneider, Manhattan Beach, CA

“I distributed 800 Giveback Homes branded door hangers and within a week I had received several calls, and acquired 3 new listings in my area. Truly incredible how receptive the community is to my giving efforts.” – Alex Abad, El Segundo, CA

“When we posted our membership announcement on our Facebook page, the response was amazing.  Not only did current/past/prospective clients post favorable comments, but my husband received two new leads directly from the post.” –  Leah Wolfe-Kraemer, Goodyear, AZ

To learn more please visit us at www.givebackhomes.com