Roger That Newsletter - August 2020

A WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATION DIRECTOR PAGE 9

THE 7 PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN PAGE 10

FREE ONLINE HOUSING WORKSHOPS DURING COVID-19 PAGE 14

VAREP FACES IN THE CROWD PAGE 23

UNITY EDITION REGISTER TODAY! CLICK HERE

VAREP 2020 NATIONAL CONVENTION

OCTOBER 26,28 & 30 2020 10:00AM - 1:00PM PST VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM

VAREP NATIONAL NEWS

A Letter From Our President

ROGER THAT AUG 2020

Dear VAREP Members, I present you “RT – ROGER THAT – AUG 2020”

EDITORIAL

E-Zine Newsletter. This is the best way for VAREP National to communicate happenings

PUBLISHER USA Homeownership, Inc. DBA Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals

within our organization to our membership.

CRE ATIVE

VAREP experienced tremendous growth and

SENIOR DESIGNER Jesus Lopez

recognition in 2020 for the important work that we do. Each of you should be proud and stand tall knowing that your passion to empower veterans to realize the American Dream of homeownership has enabled VAREP

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Nick Preston SENIOR WEB DEVELOPER Francisco Labias

to be recognized by key leaders in the real

WEB DEVELOPER Freddie Lin

estate, financial, and government sectors as the

CO NTAC T VAREP

authority on, and voice of, military and veteran

HEADQUARTERS 951·444·7363 info@VAREP.net 495 E. Rincon St., Suite 110 Corona, CA 92879

financial-literacy and homeownership.

VAREP ACCOMPLISHMENTS FROM 2014 - 2020 •

40 homes donated mortgage-free to deserving heroes across America.

•

1,500 military and veteran families realized the American Dream of homeownership through

w w w . V A R E P. n e t

our programs and services.

•

20,000 real estate and lending professional were trained as a result of the 80 live events and online membership training.

•

•

•

5,000 military and veteran families educated about homeownership, financial literacy, and

ABOUT SON

the VA loan program through the live Veteran Housing Summits events hosted by VAREP

Son Nguyen is the founder and president of the

local chapters across the country.

Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals

2,000+ military and veteran families were provided food, utilities payment, rent back

(VAREP). Mr. Nguyen creates, implements, and

payment, basic supplies, clothing, and blankets during the holiday season. This was made

overseas the programs within VAREP including

possible through our VAREP Cares program implemented by the VAREP local chapters.

working with government agencies and policy makers

$70,000 in the form of housing assistance grants for down-payment, closing costs, and adaptive

to create and reform veteran housing policy to remove

needs. This was in partnership with the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA).

barriers to homeownership.

He is frequently called upon as a subject-matter expert

HOW TO EXPLAIN WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO I frequently receive phone calls from our membership on how to explain VAREP as an organization. Depending on your audience, you may want to adapt the points listed below to

by government agencies, the real estate industry, the lending industry, and real estate trade organizations to consult on a variety of veteran housing issues.

Mr. Nguyen has more than 19 years’ experience in real

introduce VAREP.

estate, public speaking, supplier diversity, curriculum

•

•

VAREP is a 501.c.3 nonprofit organization that was founded to directly educate the 1.4-plus

development, and non-profit management. His record

million active military and 22-plus million veterans on sustainable homeownership, financial-

demonstrates innovation and leadership at the highest

literacy education, VA loan awareness, and economic opportunity.

level.

VAREP is the only organization that educates military and veteran families on the importance of financial health on the road to homeownership.

•

VAREP is the only organization that educates the real estate practitioner on the important housing-policy and lending initiatives that affect the military and veteran communities.

VAREP Comparison to Other Veteran Nonprofits The comparison chart to the right shows that we fill a much needed gap in financial-literacy and housing components that the other veteran service organizations simply do not offer. In other words, we complement them and do not compete with them. Our organization has only scratched

Mr. Nguyen established VAREP as a housing non-profit for vets, by vets. He believes VAREP’s proactive stance of providing financial-literacy education and advocating homeownership can greatly impact homelessness among the veteran community, by both reducing the current epidemic and preventing future occurrences, one veteran at a time.

Mr. Nguyen entered the Navy in 1996 and served as a Radioman on the USS Vincennes (GC-49) and USS

the surface of creating awareness and having people rethink how to better serve underserved

Constellation (CV-64). A proud service-connected

military and veteran housing needs. To a great 2020...Cheers!

disabled veteran, Mr. Nguyen holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from of the University of Florida and a Master’s in Organizational Management.

Son Nguyen VAREP Founder and President

2

VE TER AN NON-PROFIT COMPARISON CHART Target Audience

VAREP Veterans = 22+ Million Active Duty = 1.4+ Million

MILITARY WARRIORS FOUNDATION Wounded Warriors OEF, OIF, ND = 51,849

OPER ATION HOMEFRONT Active Dut y Family of E1 - E6 = 1.1 Million

WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT Wounded Warriors OEF, OIF, ND = 51,849

USA CARES Post 9/11 Servicemembers & Family

Financial Assistance

X

X

Emergency Food

X

X

Emergency Home Repair

X

X

Critical Baby Items

X

X

Home and Appliance Repair

X

Furniture and Household Items

X

Local Moving Assistance

X

Apartment Transitional Housing

X

X

Permanent Housing Placement

X

X

Employment Job Board

X

Rehabilitation with Recreational Therapy

X

X

X

X

Peer-to-Peer Counseling

X

Family Support Retreats

X

Peer Mentoring

X

Information Technology Training Academy

X

Financial Literacy Education

X

VA Home Loan Program Education

X

Housing Education

X

Housing Counseling

X

Credit and Debt Management Education

X

Credit and Debt Management Counseling

X

Military and Veteran First Look Affordable Housing Purchase Program

X

Mortgage Free Donated Homes for Wounded Warrior and Spouses of Deceased Warriors

X

X

X

X

X

Community Outreach

X

X

X

Live Community Housing, Financial Literacy, and Employment Fair Outreach Events

X

REALTOR, Housing Professional, and Lender Military and Veteran Certification Course

X

Military and Veteran Friendly Database

X

Advocate with a Written Policy Plan

X Military and Veteran Housing Lending Policy

Housing and Lending Policy Conference

X

Military and Veteran Financial Literacy, Housing, and Employment Resource Center

X

X

X

X Wounded Warriors

NOTE: The no n-profit comparison chart does not list the national minority real estate trade organizations including AREAA, NAHREP, and NAREB because we are not structurally set up as a trade organization. We have our membership whom we educate to better serve the military housing needs, but ultimately we are all here to serve the military and veteran communities.

3

AUG 2020 TA B LE O F CO N T E N T S

VAREP Webinar Series..................................4 VAREP Chapter Map....................................6 A Word from The Association Director..........9 The 7 Principles of Design...........................10 SDP Committee Update..............................12 Free Online Housing Workshops During COVID-19..........................................14 Working With Housing Counseling...............15 Legislative Corner.......................................18 VAREP Faces in the Crowd............................................23

DID YOU MISS OUR PREVIOUS WEBINARS?

2020 NATIONAL EVENTS

You can still watch them in our VAREP Member Portal.

NATIONAL CONVENTION

PREVIOUS WEBINAR TOPICS INCLUDE:

OCTOBER 26,28 & 30 2020 10:00AM - 1:00PM PST VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM

- Military Culture - The Basics

REGISTER TODAY!

- Military Culture: Experiences & Trauma

CLICK HERE

- Military Culture: Tools For Working with Veterans

- Resources for Veterans

- VARAP Webinars hosted Presented by Freddie Mac

VAREP 2021 POLICY CONFERENCE POLICY CONFERENCE

JUNE 14, 2021 10:00AM - 1:30PM PST VIRTUALLY VIA ZOOM

SAVE THE DATE!

Visit WWW.VAREP.NET and log in to your account today to access the webinars and other great resources.

E! AT ED TH VE SA S ATNOBE A NRT O2 6N,I O2 8, T&X 3 -0 O2 C0 T2 O0 B· E10 R A2M5 -1: - 02 07,P M2 0P2S0T OC

The 2020 VAREP National Convention will educate, develop, and empower current and future leaders within the VAREP organization.

The National Convention equips VAREP leaders with the necessary tools to serve the military and veteran housing needs.

ZOOM ONLINE VIRTUALLY STREAMED CONFERENCE

SEE YOU SOON! CLI CK HERE TO REGIS TER 5

VAREP CURRENTLY HAS

36 CHAPTERS LOCATED IN 21 STATES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES

ACTIVE CHAPTERS Alaska

Kentucky

VAREP South Central Alaska - Founded on June 23, 2020

VAREP Louisville Chapter - Founded on June 14, 2018

Arkansas

Maryland

VAREP River Valley Chapter - Founded on September 18, 2018

VAREP Annapolis Chapter - Founded on August 23, 2018

Arizona

Minnesota

VAREP Phoenix Chapter - Founded on September 3, 2013 VAREP Prescott Chapter - Founded on June 27, 2019 VAREP Tucson Chapter - Founded on January 28, 2015

VAREP Twin Cities Chapter - Founded on March 11, 2018

California VAREP East Bay Area Chapter - Founded on August 24, 2017 VAREP Fresno Chapter - Founded on January 30, 2019 VAREP Los Angeles Chapter - Founded on April 23, 2014 VAREP Orange County Chapter - Founded on March 11, 2013 VAREP Riverside Chapter - Founded on June 17, 2013 VAREP Sacramento Chapter - Founded on June 4, 2013 VAREP San Bernardino Chapter- Founded on August 14, 2014 VAREP San Diego Chapter - Founded on July 29, 2013

Colorado VAREP Denver Chapter - Founded on August 14, 2014

Florida VAREP Central Florida Chapter - Founded on April 14, 2015 VAREP Miami Chapter - Founded on July 13, 2015 VAREP Pinellas County Chapter - Founded on December 3, 2015

VAREP St Louis Chapter - Founded on March 10, 2017

Nevada VAREP Las Vegas Chapter - Founded on August 30, 2013 VAREP Northern Nevada Chapter - Founded on March 4, 2015

Oregon VAREP Central Oregon Chapter - Founded on February 12, 2019

Texas VAREP DFW Chapter - Founded on December, 2015 VAREP El Paso Chapter - Founded on April 6, 2017 VAREP Houston Chapter - Founded on March 30, 2015 VAREP San Antonio Chapter - Founded on December 10, 2013

Virginia VAREP Hampton Roads Chapter - Founded on September 5, 2018 VAREP Northern Virginia Chapter - Founded on May 30, 2018

Georgia

Washington

VAREP Atlanta Chapter - Founded on January 22, 2019

VAREP Tacoma South Sound Chapter - Founded on December 15, 2014

Hawaii

Washington D.C.

VAREP Honolulu Chapter - Founded on April 04, 2014

VAREP D.C. Metropolitan Area Chapter - Founded on June 11, 2014

Idaho VAREP Treasure Valley Chapter - Founded on May 17, 2018

Illinois VAREP Chicago Chapter - Founded on June 21, 2016 6

Missouri

Arizona

19 CHAPTERS IN FORMATION

VAREP Kingman Chapter- Coming 2020

California VAREP Modesto Chapter - Coming 2020 VAREP Oceanside Chapter - Coming 2021 VAREP San Gabriel Chapter - Coming 2021

Colorado

Guam VAREP Guam Chapter - Coming 2021

VAREP New York City Chapter - Coming 2021

Maryland

Pennsylvania

VAREP Baltimore Chapter - Coming 2021

Massachusetts VAREP Boston Chapter - Coming 2021

VAREP Colorado Springs – Coming 2020

Florida

Nevada VAREP Carson City Chapter - Coming 2021

VAREP Jacksonville Chapter - Coming 2021

Georgia VAREP Augusta Chapter - Coming 2021

New York

New Jersey VAREP North New Jersey Chapter - Coming 20201 VAREP South New Jersey Chapter - Coming 2021

VAREP Philadelphia Chapter - Coming 2020 VAREP Pittsburgh Chapter - Coming 2020

Puerto Rico VAREP Puerto Rico Chapter - Coming 2021

Tennessee VAREP Nashville Chapter - Coming 2020

Washington VAREP Bremerton Chapter - Coming 2021

7

E T A D E H T E V SA

VAREP 2021 POLICY CONFERENCE

JUNE 14-16, 2021 · 10AM - 1:30PM PST

The conference is filled with online educational sessions and town halls to educate attendees on important housing policy, lending initiatives, and economic development affecting the military and veteran communities.

ZOOM ONLINE VIRTUALLY STREAMED CONFERENCE

SEE YOU SOON! 8

A Word from the

Association Director Carla Lemon WOW, WOW, WOW – is what we heard virtually during and after our first virtual DC Policy Conference experience. We want to thank all of our Guest Speakers, Sponsors, Directors and Members that helped shape the conference in order to provide valuable updates and information to the entire audience, as without all of you as a team, we know it would not have been as powerful!

Teamwork – this is where the fuel comes from to lift up a non-profit in order to fulfill their mission. This is certainly true of our Chapters’ Board of Directors.

Without the chapters’ teamwork, the model for our mission is not complete. The Chapter teams are the “boots on the ground” to deliver the change in each local area.

The past few months have seen an increased stress on the teams of the chapters. With added pressure related to COVID19 and economic impacts on the local communities, some chapters struggle on how to move forward. Through support and teams that are strong in their resolve to fulfill the mission, chapters move forward utilizing creative ideas and new tools to keep the mission moving forward.

By focusing on the things that “can be done” rather than “what can’t be done” the chapters’ focus has turned to the most important aspects of the mission.

This includes our HUD Counseling Webinars for those who will need guidance related to keeping people in the homes, our VAREP Cares program for those who are having economic hardships, and moving our legislative policy forward through conference calls and now zoom meetings. Each opportunity has allowed us to reach even further and keep our membership engaged through on-line education “Lunch & Learns” and Webinar presentations so they also help locally to improve Veteran lives.

We have also adjusted accordingly at the National level.

In building a stronger foundation and structure we ensure we are ready for all strong winds that may blow our way.

Our walls are solid with an open door policy to listen and explore the best solutions for the future. In making sure we are strong, we will continue to build strong chapters and leaders moving forward.

On behalf of VAREP National Founder Son Nguyen, Co-Founder Dustin Luce and the VAREP staff, we want you to know that everyone’s well-being is most important to us. With this at the forefront, we have chosen to hold our 2020 National Convention virtually. We are taking the successes and lessons we learned from our DC Policy Conference to increase the WOW factor 2-fold.

Our aim is to have you “feel” the full impact of the energy we feel behind the scenes during the presentation.

We are counting on you to help us push out this the opportunity of the virtual presentation to “touch” and engage our membership, the real estate industry, the active military and veteran communities and the public in ways we would not be able to at a traditional convention.

Our virtual goal is to impact “One Veteran at A Time” on a more global scale. We ask you to join us as a Team to complete this goal.

As in past closings, we continue to applaud all of the VAREP Chapter Directors, volunteers, members and our sponsors who keep our Active Military and Veterans in their hearts of service.

Sincerely,

Carla Lemon Association Director

9

The Design Corner

Helpful articles and useful tips from the VAREP National Marketing Department to equip your marketing efforts.

The 7 principles of design. with Nick Preston & Jesse Lopez

The principles of design are the rules that must be followed to create an effective and attractive composition.

The fundamental principles of design are Heirarchy, Balance and Alignment, Contrast, Repetition, Proportion, Movement and White Space.

Graphic design, like any discipline, adheres to strict rules that work beneath the surface to make the flyers stable and balanced. If the work is missing that balance, it will be weak and ineffective.

This article will take you through 7 basic principles of design that will make your next flyer stand out.

10

1. Heirarchy what is the first piece of information my audience needs to know? Who, what, when, why, where and how?

Heirarchy can be achieved through the size of the elements and fonts within your flyer design letting the reader know which piece of information to read first.

2. Balance Every element you place on a page has a weight. The weight can come from color, size, or texture. Not only is balance in design aesthetically pleasing to the eye but it will also be more likely your audience will read the information on the flyer. Without balance, your audience will feel as if their eye is sliding off the page.

3. Contrast

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Contrast creates space and difference between elements in your design. Your background needs to be significantly different from the color of your elements so they work harmoniously together and are readable. How will your audience know what is most important if everything is in bold?

Repetition unifies and strengthens a flyer design. A single element like vector art or font in your design can have repition in scale or color and still bring your design to life while keeping it simple.

5. Proportion

6. Movement

Proportion is the visual size and weight of elements in a composition and how they relate to each other. It often helps to approach your design in sections, instead of as a whole. Proportion can be achieved only if all elements of your design are well-sized and thoughtfully placed.

LUNCH and LEARN EVENT Writing VA Offers - Get Your Offer Accepted & Keep it in Escrow!

WEDNESDAY · MAY 20TH 2017 11:00AM - 1:00PM BEVERLY HILLS ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® 6330 San Vicente Blvd Suite 100 · Los Angeles CA 90048 Parking will be validated and lunch will be provided!

SPEAKER:

J.P. PEÑA - CHAPTER PRESIDENT

RSVP AT:

LUNCHANDLEARN17.EVENTBRITE.COM EVENT SPONSOR

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact J.P. Peña at JPena@VAREP.net www.VAREP.net

4. Repetition

7. White space

White space is the only one that specifically deals with what you don’t add. White space is exactly that—the empty page around the elements in your composition. Often giving a flyer design more room to breathe can upgrade it from mediocre to successful.

JULY 22 2018 5:00PM - 7:00PM

PAUL MARTIN’S AMERICAN GRILL 1455 EUREKA ROAD · ROSEVILLE CA 95661

Open to all VAREP Members and those interested in joining! Enjoy complimentary appetizers. Cash bar available. Enter to win raffle prizes throughout the event!

ALL PROCEEDS FUND

VETERANS ASSOCIATION OF REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS is a nonprofit 501.C.3 organization and your contribution is tax deductible. TAX ID: 45-2458485 For more information on VAREP, please visit our website at www.VAREP.net

VAREP SACRAMENTO’S

ADOPT A FAMILY

HOLIDAY FUNDS

FOR INFORMATION & TO DONATE RAFFLE PRIZES Heidi Barnes 925-348-2432

Movement is controlling the elements in a composition so that the eye is led to move from one to the next and the information is properly communicated to your audience. Movement creates the story or the narrative of your work: there is a mixer, it’s at this location, it’s at this time, here’s how you RSVP.

Use these 7 principles as a checklist the next time you create your promotional flyer or social media graphic for your event.

If somehting doesn’t feel right, go back to the 7 principles and see if your flyer design is missing any of the principles.

Once you have the 7 principles nailed down, you will be able to break the rules to create your own signature style.

Free design resources: Free fonts www.1001freefonts.com www.dafont.com www.fontsquirrel.com

Free Stock Photos www.pexels.com pixabay.com

Flyer builder www.canva.com 11

STOP DROP AND PUSH COMMITTEE UPDATE

12

So far in 2020 the Stop, Drop,and Push Committee has awarded 4 grants to veterans to send them to alternative therapy.

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, retreats and events have been postponed until further notice. The committee is currently seeking out organizations that are still providing alternative therapy for veterans during COVID-19. We are committed to sending 10 more veterans to alternative therapy by the end of the year.

Over the next few months, each VAREP chapter will be assigned a Stop, Drop, and Push Point-of-Contact (POC) from the National SDP Committee. This person will be your SDP liaison. Chapters will also receive Standars Operating Procedure’s for SDP. These guidelines will outline policies and best practices for all things related to SDP. We look forward to working with each chapter, and really getting the SDP mission out there!

We are always looking for more veteran-friendly alternative therapy providers to add to our database. If you know of an organization that provides alternative therapy to veterans, and would like to be added to our national database, please have them apply online at stopdroppush.org/therapy-providers

Tori Sydow

SDP Program Director 13

USA Homeownership’s Housing Counseling Department Offers Free Online Housing Workshops to Help During the COVID-19 Crisis

14

USA Homeownership Foundation’s Housing Counseling Department recently received a generous grant from Wells Fargo Foundation to support our counseling and education efforts in the areas of foreclosure prevention, credit, and rental improvement. The grant is geared to help Veterans, Active Military Members and patriots who have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis and are experiencing housing and credit issues.

The next series of workshops are scheduled for August 12 where we will cover Credit Help During COVID-19, August 19 where we will cover Mortgage Help During COVID-19 and August 26 where we will cover Rental Help During COVID-19. Please check out our website at http://www. myhomeownership.org/events/ and look for the links for each workshop in the “Events” section where you can register for an upcoming workshop.

As part of this grant, we are working without community partners and National Education Committee to put together a series of interactive Online Workshops on Credit Help During COVID-19, Rental Help with COVID-19, and Mortgage Help during COVID-19. These 45-minute online workshops are geared specifically to help individuals experiencing job loss or reduction and who have trouble paying their mortgage, rent and credit during this unprecedented time. We also cover the specific protections against foreclosure and eviction under the CARES Act which halts all foreclosures and eviction until August 31. The interactive workshops will also help to educate our customers on how our housing counseling department can provide one-on-one counseling to help individuals work with their creditors, landlord, and lender to obtain forbearance plans, loan workouts, modification and suspensions of payments. To date, we have hosted 6 workshops, the first series was in conjunction with Cal State San Bernardino’s Veteran Success Center and the second series of workshops were in partnership with the Veterans Mental Health Advisory Council based in Maryland. All workshops were well attended, and we received great feedback.

We also encourage our VAREP members to share this information with your clients and partners. You can help us be the boots on the ground to spread the word that our Housing Counseling Department is here to help our communities by providing the following services: •Budgeting & Financial Management •Credit Improvement, Debt Reduction, and Management •Homebuying, Down Payment Programs, and First Time Buyer Loans •VA Loans & Certificate of Eligibility •HUD Home Buyer Certificates – Ehome America Online & Individual Counseling •Foreclosure Prevention, Loan Modification, and Forbearance Plans We encourage you to refer your clients who need help to call us at 888-273-7267, or email Veronica Ramirez, our Administrative Assistant, at vramirez@varep.net You can also visit www.MyHomeownership.com or www.

VetHomeOwnership.com for intake forms, more information and success stories.

Our Housing Counseling Department is Here to Help You and Your Clients!

USA Homeownership Foundation’s Housing Counseling Program is a no cost service open to Service Members and Veterans throughout the United States. Our HUD Housing Counseling Department is based out of VAREP’s Nation headquarters in Corona, and we’re open to any Veteran, Service Member or Patriot living in the United States. Our Housing Counseling Program currently offers pre-purchase, home buyer counseling, financial capability, credit and budget counseling, foreclosure prevention, and post purchase counseling.

If Veterans or Service Members need help accessing their VA Loan Benefits or Certificate of Eligibility, Thomas Griffin, our HUD Housing Counselor who is also a US Marine Veteran can assist them. We’ve successfully assisted over 500 clients this year alone with credit improvement, budgeting, homeownership and foreclosure prevention. Have a client whose credit needs work before buying a home, send them over to our Housing Counseling Department. Check out a few of our success stories on our website at:

GETTING HELP FOR YOUR CLIENTS IS AS EASY AS 1, 2, 3

1. Contact Contact our Housing Counseling Department by visiting our website at www.VetHomeOwnership.com and download the client intake forms.

2. Call Call our toll free number 888. 273.7267

3. Email Email your request to Veronica Ramirez, Housing Counseling Administrative Assistant, at vramirez@varep.net.

https://vethomeownership.com/index.php/successes/video-library 15

THE PATH TO SUSTAINABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP VAREP’s Housing Counseling Department is a HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agency providing home buying, credit, budget, post purchase and foreclosure prevention counseling services to Veterans, Active Military and the community nationwide. Over the past year, from January to December 2018, we provided the following housing counseling services:

2020 COUNSELING & OUTREACH STATISTICS

416

306 84 222

GROUP WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS FROM VHS CHAPTER EVENTS

INQUIRIES FOR SERVICES

CLIENTS COUNSELED

1 ON 1 HOUSING COUNSELING CLIENTS

TYPES OF COUNSELING PROVIDED

124 27

PRE-PURCHASE HOMEOWNERSHIP

16

POST PURCHASE

29

FORECLOSURE PREVENTION

16

FINANCIAL HOMEOWNERSHIP SUSTAINABILITY COUNSELING

26

CREDIT COUNSELING

VISIT W W W.VE THOMEOW NERSHIP.COM OR CALL : 8 8 8. 27 3.72 6 7

5,500 LMI HOUSING INQUIRIES INTERNET, TELEPHONE & COMMUNITY EVENTS

1,500 LMI FAMILIES RECEIVED PRE-PURCHASE, CREDIT & HOUSING COUNSELING

850 VETERAN FAMILIES SUCCESSFULLY PLACED IN HOMES THROUGH OUR PROGRAMS

350 VETERANS WERE REFERRED TO HUD VASH PROGRAM

600 VETERANS ENGAGED IN CREDIT COUNSELING TO IMPROVE FINANCIAL READINESS

3,100 VETERANS & SERVICEMEMBERS

* Statistics from 2014-2020

EDUCATED ON VA HOME LOAN BENEFIT, IMPORTANCE OF GOOD CREDIT & HOME BUYING PROCESS THROUGH COUNSELING & OUTREACH EVENTS

VISIT W W W.VE THOMEOW NERSHIP.COM OR CALL : 8 8 8. 27 3.72 6 7

17

LEGISLATIVE CORNER “To maintain the momentum from the Policy Conference, I have appointed G-II Varrato, AZ State Director; Yeimalis Acevedo-Rasmussen, National Board of Director; William Process, Former Northern Nevada Chapter President; Gary Johnson, Former VAREP Sacramento Chapter President; Robbie Grossman, VAREP Twin Cities Vice-President; and Jeff Wilson, to form VAREP’s National Legislative Committee (NLC). The NLC’s task is to do the background and heavy-lifting work necessary to move our mission and the bill forward.”

- Son Nguyen, VAREP Founder & President

G-II Varrato II U.S. Air Force

Patriot

Arizona State Director Legislative Committee Chairman

National Board of Director Legislative Committee

Carol Meyers

Jim Shields

Patriot Legislative Committee

18

Yeimalis Acevedo-Rasmussen

U.S. Navy

Legislative Committee

Robbie Grossman Patriot

Legislative Committee

Rod Beck Patriot Legislative Committee

Lynn Jabs Patriot Legislative Committee

VAREP’S NOTABLE FOOTPRINTS ON CAPITOL HILL IT’S TIME FOR AN UPDATE ON OUR VSO EFFORTS A RECAP OF THE GADS MISSION Between May 5, 2020 and June 5, 2020, the GADS were given the task to reach out to all of the legislators within their Chapter area. Each Chapter was also assigned several legislative offices where VAREP does not have a Chapter presence. The mission was to make contact with each legislator’s office in both the House and the Senate. Never before had VAREP mounted such a massive undertaking.

In each Chapter, the NLC director and NLC Co-Chairs guided each Government Director plus one other Chapter Board Member to make contact with the legislators staff, to include the Chief of Staff and the designated Veterans Legislative Aid. To put this task in perspective consider that in 2019 when VAREP board members attended the Policy Conference in Washington DC, the VAREP GADs and their teams kept a little over 230 appointments on the Hill that Tuesday. This time the GADs in each Chapter with their plus 1 were given the mission to make contact with all of their assigned legislators thus culminating in a total collective outreach contact campaign of 535 members of Congress plus those members in US Territories.

THE COLLECTIVE OUTREACH SUCCESS I know, it kind of sounds like a trailer to the science fiction movie :-) Nevertheless the reality is that our GAD team made successful contact with nearly ¾ of Congress. Given the fact that most of the GADs had never been tasked with this size of a project, that is an outstanding accomplishment.

So as the Director of the National Legislative Committee at VAREP, I want to personally congratulate the entire GAD team starting with my National Legislative Committee Co-Chairs, Yeimalis Acevedo-Rasmussen, Gary Johnson, Jim Shields, Lynn Jabs, Carol Meyer, Rod Beck and most importantly my right arm, Robbie Grossman.

Additionally, as in any organization, there are other great leaders. Every one of the Government Affairs Directors did an outstanding job. They all pushed the VSO agenda, literally… up The Hill and successfully secured buy-in and support from every House and Senate Legislator that was contacted. That said a special shout out to Dex Cajigal of Orange County, CA, Lynn Jabs, Tacoma, WA, Victoria Blass, Tucson, AZ and Anthony Smith, St. Louis, MO. WHAT WE PULLED OFF VAREP has been on the hunt for a 501c-19 Non-Profit designation for many months. These tax-deferred designations are issued by the Internal Revenue Service. When COVID-19 hit and the IRS shuttered its doors, the VAREP 501c-19 paperwork was locked away in that building.

During one of the calls that Dex Cajigal had with Congressman Lou Correa, Dex explained the boulder that had been placed in front of this effort. The Congressman reached out to the IRS on behalf of VAREP and on 15 June Son Nguyen received the official 501c-19 IRS letter. Had Dex not pressed forward with that mission the IRS designation letter might not have come through for many months or, due to COVID-19, for a year or more. So, a huge shout out to Dex. 19

LEGISLATIVE CORNER On 27 May, G2 drafted legislative language that he gave it to the GADs to present to their legislators during each of their calls.

While there was certainly an overwhelming amount of support and excitement and even endorsement of our efforts one GAD in particular… swung the bat and hit a homerun. Congratulations to Anthony Smith Government Affairs Director of St. Louis, Missouri. Anthony successfully secured a commitment from not only Democrat Congressman William Clay but also Republican Congresswoman Ann Wagner to take up our legislative language and introduce our bill on the floor of the House before the end of the 116th Congress.

It is important to realize and fully understand and comprehend that VAREP has been trying to secure this kind of legislative action for over six years. This time with a virtual visit to Capitol Hill, we actually made it happen! Additionally, Robbie Grossman and G2 secured similar commitments from Senator Amy Klobuchar and Senator Kyrsten Sinema to introduce the Companion Bill in the Senate.

THE LATEST UP-TO-DATE PROGRESS REPORT On July 6th, G2 received an email from Anthony Smith. Congressman Clay’s legislative aid, Rico Doss, said, as they were drafting and reviewing their due diligence of our VSO bill, they had a few extra questions about our VSO mission. So, to fill in the blanks for you the following was G2’s response: What is it the Association is looking to achieve through the chartering?

Because there is a void in the world of VSOs, both chartered and un-chartered, to offer education and training of active duty servicemembers, in the areas of financial-literacy education, VA loan awareness with a focus on both financial and emotional stability, VAREP ‘s goal is to convince Congress that VAREP is the ONLY source and resource with these very necessary and absent training tools. VAREP is also a certified HUD Counseling Agency with a specific skill set necessary to communicate with veterans. We, in the military, speak our own special dialect. We understand and trust our own. A HUD Counselor with nonmilitary background simply doesn’t know how to communicate with veterans and/or active duty servicemembers.

Additionally, it is written in § 5902. Recognition of representatives of organization: (a) (1) The Secretary may recognize representatives of the American National Red Cross, the American Legion, the Disabled American Veterans, the United Spanish War Veterans, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and such other organizations as the Secretary may approve, in the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims under laws administered by the Secretary.

(2) The Secretary may, in the discretion of the Secretary, furnish, if available, space and office facilities for the use of paid full time representatives of national organizations so recognized. There is not one of the Chartered VSOs noted in (a)(1), with VAREP ‘s skill set; a skill set that would be an asset that is missing and could be added to element (2), i.e. “...The Secretary may, in the discretion of the Secretary, furnish, if available, space and office facilities for the use of paid full time representatives of national organizations so recognized...”

Does the Association have some historical character that the Association wishes Congress to recognize?

Yes, several quick examples are VAREP’s integral participation, guidance and input in some of the most recent legislation signed into law.

Public Law No 115-174 Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act - Section 309. PROTECTING VETERANS FROM PREDATORY LENDING. It was VAREP that brought this veteran loan abuse to the attention of Congress and with the help of Senators Tillus and Warren, ushered in the protections to veteran mortgagees against predatory lending practices. i.e. S.2155 20

Public Law No: 116-33 Protecting Affordable Mortgages for Veterans Act of 2019. VAREP was the ONLY VSO that caught an error in the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act of 2019 that would have stranded thousands of VA loans in limbo, unable to be sold to Ginnie Mae. With the help of Senator Sinema, VAREP got this fixed. i.e. S.1749 With the help of then Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema, Public Law No: 115-232 John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 was signed into law with provisions to help improve financial literacy for our active duty servicemembers. In Section 552 IMPROVEMENTS TO TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (3)(B)(v)... enacted was the following, “...ensure members obtain sufficient financial literacy to effectively leverage conferred benefits and opportunities for employment, education, vocational training, and entrepreneurship...” VAREP , again was the ONLY professional Real Estate Trade Organization with a direct understanding of these needs.

Finally, Public Law No: 116-23 the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019. ONLY VAREP is credited with saving the VA Home Loan from certain destruction. VAREP was instrumental in halting the forward momentum of H.R.299 during the 115th Congress, stalling the legislation long enough to champion repairs to the legislative language that would have caused irreversible damage to the VA Home Loan product, wherein veterans with less than 100% VA rated disabilities would no longer be eligible for a ‘Funding Fee Waiver’ for certain VA Home Loan products. Additionally, VAREP wrote the corrective legislative language that rescued the elimination of ‘Remainder Entitlement’ also known as ‘Bonus Entitlement’. Dozens of VSOs had been presented with the first 115th Congress iteration of H.R.299 and not one of them caught the destruction of the VA Home Loan.

VAREP did and we got that fixed and the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 was signed into law on 25 June 2019.

Are you trying to differentiate your membership from other real estate professionals?

No. VAREP is the ONLY professional Real Estate Trade Organization with a direct understanding of the need to increase sustainable homeownership, financial-literacy education, VA loan awareness, and economic opportunity for the active-military and veteran communities. In fact, there are no Federally Congressional chartered VSOs in the Real Estate space and as noted above, no VSO with VAREP’s skill set.

So you see, there is not another VSO or Real Estate Organization that even comes close to the skill set of VAREP . I hope this will help shed some light on VAREP’s mission to become a Federally Chartered VSO. To close out this update, we fully expect to have our VSO Bill introduced before the end of the 116th Congress. And while it will truly be during the lame-duck session of this Congress, the fact that we will actually get the Bill on the books with a legitimate Bill number in both the House and the Senate is the culmination of a huge successful effort by all of the Government Affairs Directors and the entire Organization. We will see VAREP as a Federally Chartered VSO in the 117th Congress and you can take that to the bank.

Stay Safe! Stay Healthy! And… keep your #SocialDistance #IAmVAREP G-II Varrato II is the VAREP National Legislative Committee Chair

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PROMOTING VETERAN STABILITY TO PREVENT VETERAN SUICIDE WHO WE ARE The Stop, Drop & Push Campaign is a featured program of the USA Homeownership Foundation, Inc. DBA Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals (VAREP), a 501c3 nonprofit led by vets for vets to empower homeownership among the active-military veteran communities. While VAREP’s focus has been on veteran housing, we cannot stand idly by while our brothers and sisters remain part of the 22 statistic.

HISTORY OF THE NUMBER 22

STOP, DROP & PUSH MISSION

In 2012 the Department of Veterans Affairs released a 59-page report outlining veteran suicide. The report states the numbers of Veterans who die from suicide each day has remained relatively stable over the past 12 years (varying from 18 -22 per day).

To lead the charge in eliminating the 22 daily veteran suicides; by creating awareness and connecting veterans to alternative therapy so our heroes can rediscover their purpose.

ALTERNATIVE THERAPY

Research has determined that alternative therapy plays an important role in a “whole-body” approach to wellness on the road to recovery for many veterans. Some examples of alternative therapy include: • Animal-assisted therapy • Yoga

• Recreational therapy (martial arts, mountain climbing, rafting, etc) • Mindfulness and art therapy

951-268-1517 | info@stopdroppush.org 22

w w w.S TOPDROPPUSH.org

FACES IN THE CROWD “Faces in the Crowd” is a handful of responses to an intriguing question...

VAREP Members share their stories of all things VAREP related!

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WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT VAREP? VAREP - El Paso, TX Chapter They provide individuals financial education and education on the VA Loan/Home buying process.

VAREP - Temecula, CA Chapter They are 100% dedicated to Veteran Housing concerns.

VAREP - Honolulu, HI Chapter They have a wide array of ways to be involved, such as on an educational, community outreach , or political platforms.

VAREP - Jacksonville, FL Chapter They are focused on housing for vets from homelessness to home ownership!

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VAREP - River Valley, AR Chapter Our mission and our local outreach. Having a 8 person local board really brings the experience local.

VAREP - Sacramento, CA Chapter Only company I know of that assists Vets with using their VA Loan and learning how to purchase a home.

VAREP - Hampton Roads, VA Chapter They have a real passion to educate our active duty and veterans about the american dream of homeownership.

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WHY DO YOU GIVE YOUR MONEY, TIME, OR ENERGY TO VAREP AND IT’S MISSION? VAREP - El Paso, TX Chapter To help those who have, and are, willing to sacrifice everything for my freedoms I enjoy everyday.

VAREP - San Bernardino, CA Chapter I do because I believe in the cause, one veteran at a time. I wish we could help everyone, but we can’t, but if we can just help one veteran at a time I think our efforts are now worth it.

VAREP - Treasure Valley, ID Chapter Real Estate without a Veteran focus is boring. If I’m not going to be active in the Military anymore, I am going to weave in a pro Veteran cause into lending as much as possible.

VAREP - St. Louis, MO Chapter As a fellow Veteran, I believe in everything we have built and accomplished for our Veterans. I believe in what we have done and what we are going to do. We are only making a dent in the issue(s) but as we grow so will that dent. We can all do more but something is better than nothing.

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VAREP - River Valley, AR Chapter Because I believe in helping our community become home owners and most importantly those that have served our country. there is no person more deserving of a home than those that have served.

Home ownership is the American dream.

VAREP - Orange County, CA Chapter I am Veteran and earned the right to use my benefits to purchase a home.

I want to see more veterans get into homes using this benefit and to eliminate the myths of the va home loan in the real estate industry.

VAREP - East Bay, CA Chapter Because I am a Vet, I went off to war and came back alive and well, no physical ailments. So many do not come home whole and healthy or at all. It is my way to give back to my brothers and sisters. I am also very proud of my daughter serving in the US Coast Guard - Working for all Veterans......Period

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WHAT WOULD GO UNDONE IF VAREP CLOSED TOMORROW? VAREP - Treasure Valley, ID Chapter The National aspect- advocating and pushing Veteran Home Loan focuses to Congress. The local chapter could be replicated, but the organization has a huge boost in the local communities because of the national progress.

VAREP - Central Florida Chapter Real Estate professionals will lack the knowledge of how to better assist us. I say us because my husband and I are veterans.

VAREP - Louisville, KY Chapter Confusion about the VA Home Loan would grow within our profession. As our housing market shifts across the country, I believe more misinformation would get circulated. An attempt to fit all home buyers into one specific loan type because qualifications will start to tighten. I think less exposure or attention would be given to veteran homelessness if VAREP disappeared.

VAREP - Pinellas County Chapter I think less the real estate industry would lose an important champion for veterans.

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VAREP - San Bernardino, CA Chapter There would no longer be a group advocating for Vets in DC.

VAREP - Jacksonville, FL Chapter The heart filled smile of thank you from our vetrans in need.

VAREP - San Antonio, TX Chapter Realtors would have to rely solely on what they learn through the MRP program as to how to help veterans. Most veterans and their families would continue to be uninformed as to what is available to them. Fewer military and veterans would be made aware of their eligibility for VA loans. There would be less advocacy for veteran rights with our national representatives. There would be fewer veterans and/or veteran families that benefit from the efforts of VAREP Cares.

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“The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation.”

- George Washington

VETERANS ASSOCIATION OF REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS info@VAREP.net

w w w . V A R E P. n e t

951- 444 -7363