HomeVestors of America has opened public voting for its nineteenth annual “Ugliest House of the Year” competition, bringing forward a new set of 20 dramatically renovated homes from across the country. The contest invites the public to vote through December 3, with finalists advancing to a second and final round later in the week. What began as a playful marketing idea has evolved into one of the company’s most recognizable traditions, highlighting the transformation of neglected properties into livable homes.
Joshua Waltzer, the company’s chief executive, said the competition speaks to more than just curiosity about dramatic makeovers. According to Waltzer, the contest reflects how HomeVestors franchisees purchase rundown houses that might otherwise remain uninhabited, restore them and return them to the market as quality housing. He emphasized that the focus is on showing that renewal is possible even when a property appears beyond saving.
The contest also carries a philanthropic component. The winning home will earn a donation of 20,000 dollars from HomeVestors to its local Habitat for Humanity chapter, continuing a tradition that has become central to the event. Last year a dilapidated 1923 property in the Chicago area took the title and secured the same gift for Habitat for Humanity Lake County. For the company the donation reinforces a broader mission of supporting communities while improving local housing conditions.
Industry observers note that the annual competition has become a strategic asset for the franchise brand. It draws national attention, promotes consumer participation and elevates the HomeVestors network of franchisees that carry out the renovations. With the 2025 contest underway the initiative illustrates how a marketing event can strengthen a franchise system by combining brand visibility, community impact and a renewed focus on housing revitalization.