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GuideIf you're a firefighter, EMS professional, law enforcement officer, active or veteran military member, healthcare worker, or teacher, Homes for Heroes can save you money when you buy or refinance a home, and you get Mindy's lender-side Hero savings just by financing with her, even without a separate Homes for Heroes real estate agent. Here's exactly how it works across OR, WA, and AZ.
By Mindy Hay, Senior Loan Officer & proud Homes for Heroes affiliate · NMLS #292224 · Updated September 2026
Homes for Heroes is a nationwide program that thanks community heroes with real savings on buying, selling, and financing a home. It works the same way in every state, including Oregon, Washington, and Arizona, by connecting heroes with affiliated professionals (like Mindy on the lending side) who give back a portion of their fees as Hero Rewards® savings.
The program is built for the people who serve their communities:
Serve your community in another role? Ask Mindy, she'll confirm whether you qualify.
There are two sides to Hero Rewards, and you don't need both to benefit:
The thing most people miss: you do not need a special Homes for Heroes real estate agent to get Mindy's lender-side savings. Bring your own agent, or none yet, and you still benefit.
Savings depend on your transaction, loan program, and price. On the real-estate side, Hero Rewards are often reported at roughly $700 for every $100,000 of home price, and Mindy adds savings on the lending side. These are examples only, are not guaranteed, and are subject to program terms, the best move is to ask Mindy for a personalized estimate on your scenario.
Homes for Heroes savings are about who you are, not which loan you choose, so you can combine them with the right program for your situation:
Mindy Hay is a senior loan officer with Union Home Mortgage and a proud Homes for Heroes affiliate, helping heroes across Oregon (Portland, Lake Oswego, Beaverton, Tigard, Bend and more), Washington (Vancouver and Southwest Washington), and Arizona (Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Gilbert and more). Because Homes for Heroes is a national program, the eligibility and savings work the same in all three states.
Firefighters and first responders, EMS, law enforcement, active-duty military and veterans, healthcare professionals, and teachers typically qualify. Serve in another role? Ask Mindy, she'll confirm.
No. You get Mindy's lender-side Hero savings by financing with her, even if your agent isn't a Homes for Heroes affiliate. A participating agent simply stacks additional savings on top.
It varies by transaction, loan program, and price. Real-estate Hero Rewards are often reported at about $700 per $100,000 of home price, plus Mindy's lender-side savings. Amounts are examples only, aren't guaranteed, and are subject to program terms, ask Mindy for a personalized estimate.
Often, yes, many military members and veterans pair a VA loan with Homes for Heroes savings.
Find out what you qualify for, it's free to ask and there's no obligation.