(Franchise Buy) - By . Updated Sep 7, 2011
Showhomes Home Manager Program Great Fit for a Single Man
Tom Seifert is living the dream. A single guy in an 8,000 square foot house, Tom is not only free of mortgage payments and house repairs but also is able to entertain female friends and family in his million dollar home – all while saving money.
Sound like one lucky guy?
Tom didn’t win the lottery or find a recipe to get rich quick, he simply became a Showhomes Home Manager. He was in the midst of selling his house in Minnesota and didn’t plan on buying in the near future.
“The real estate market wasn’t very conducive for sellers and I didn’t really know what I wanted to do,” he says. “ I was just getting a divorce and knew the location I wanted to be in. Someone recommended I check out the Showhomes Home Manager program and needless to say I found it very intriguing.”
A Home Manager since December 2010, Tom has lived in three upscale homes ranging from $650,000 to around $2,000,000 in affluent Minneapolis suburbs such as Edina and Chanhassen. Thrilled he is able to maintain his previous lifestyle for a fraction of the cost, Tom doesn’t think he’ll be turning to home ownership any time soon.
“The lifestyle is great because I have a wonderful space to entertain. I can throw cocktail parties, invite business associates or family over and everyone can have a great time. My daughters love coming to visit, and the grand-kids get a kick out of the new homes.”
An insurance broker consultant, Tom also likes that he can meet new people and save more money.
“I like to think of it as an adventure. I get to meet new people and neighbors, maintain a fun and enjoyable lifestyle and save the money I would be spending on a mortgage or home repairs,” he says. “I am not buying or fixing a lot of stuff. I used to be a big “cleaner/fixer/invester” in my home, and now I don’t have to buy trees and paint additions. I can accumulate more money and live in these fun spaces.”
Tom is a self-proclaimed neat-freak. “Being a Home Manager is great, especially if you are already a neat and tidy person,” he says. The program requires its Home Managers to keep the homes clean at all times — nothing that couldn’t be tidied in 20 minutes. All Home Managers must be prepared for frequent visits from Realtors and potential buyers and are usually notified a day or two in advance.
The Home Manager program is the key to Showhomes success. It gives homeowners peace of mind knowing that their property is less susceptible to vandalism, squatting or damage and gives homes a real-life feel for potential buyers.
“This really is a win-win-win for everyone,” Tom says. “It really is important to have your home staged if you are looking to sell. It is amazing the difference it makes. People love seeing how their lifestyle would fit and are excited to see how Showhomes has staged it.”