As we wrap up 2025 and look ahead to 2026, it's time to reflect on what we've accomplished together and share our ambitious vision for the year ahead. The Hometown Hero Credit, our non-profit program under Operation T.A.G. (Tangible Act of Gratitude), has reached incredible milestones that wouldn't have been possible without our dedicated network of loan officers, real estate agents, and the military families we're honored to serve.
A Million Dollars in Real Impact
Since our inception, the Hometown Hero Credit has delivered over $1,000,000 in direct assistance to military families across the United States. This isn't marketing fluff or theoretical savings – it's real money that has gone directly toward helping our nation's heroes and their families achieve homeownership.
Our 2% credit up to $21,000 has made the difference for countless military families, whether they're first-time homebuyers or looking to refinance their existing homes. This credit can be applied to pay closing fees, buy down the interest rate, pay real estate agent fees, or in some cases, pay down debt to help with VA loan qualification. It's important to note that the credit is calculated on the loan amount, not the sales price, and since VA loans generally don't require a down payment, our families can put this benefit exactly where they need it most.
Building a National Network of Heroes
Throughout 2025, we've been incredibly grateful to partner with 86 loan officers and 95 real estate agents who share our mission of honoring military families. These aren't just business partnerships – they're relationships built on shared values and a common commitment to serving those who have served us.
Every loan officer and real estate agent in our network understands that working with military families isn't just about closing deals. It's about recognizing the sacrifices these families have made and ensuring they receive the respect, support, and financial benefits they've earned through their service.
Our partners have become advocates for military families in their communities, spreading awareness about the Hometown Hero Credit and ensuring that eligible families know about this benefit. When a veteran walks into their office or contacts them about buying a home, our partners make sure they understand exactly how the 2% credit up to $21,000 can help make their homeownership dreams more affordable.
Major Milestones: PRMG Partnership and Nonprofit Status
Two major achievements have defined 2025 for us. First, we're incredibly proud of our milestone partnership with PRMG (Primary Residential Mortgage Group). This collaboration has expanded our reach and strengthened our ability to serve military families nationwide. Working with PRMG has allowed us to tap into their extensive network and expertise while maintaining our core mission of providing tangible acts of gratitude to those who have served.
Second, we've officially secured our nonprofit status, which represents more than just a legal designation – it's a formal recognition of our commitment to service over profit. This status reinforces what we've always believed: that supporting military families isn't about making money; it's about making a difference.
Our nonprofit status also opens new doors for partnerships, grants, and initiatives that will allow us to expand our impact even further. It validates our approach and mission while providing additional accountability and transparency in how we operate.
Looking Forward: Ambitious Goals for 2026
As we look ahead to 2026, we're setting ambitious but achievable goals that will significantly expand our nationwide impact. Our target is to grow our network to 150 loan officers and 200 real estate agents across the country. This represents roughly a 75% increase in loan officers and more than double our current number of real estate agent partners.
This expansion isn't just about numbers – it's about ensuring that military families in every state have access to professionals who understand their unique needs and the benefits available to them. We want to create a situation where any military family looking to buy or refinance a home can easily find a qualified professional in their area who is part of our network and committed to maximizing their benefits.
We're also bringing our mission to campus communities. By the end of 2026, our goal is to have the non-profit Hometown Hero Credit available in 100 Veteran Student Service offices across the country – meeting service members, and veteran families where they study, work, and plan their futures. This means on-campus access to our 2% credit up to $21,000 – calculated on the loan amount – to help with closing fees, interest rate buydowns, real estate agent fees, or, in some cases, debt paydown for VA loan qualification. Simple, tangible gratitude, delivered right where it's needed most.
The growth we're planning will require careful vetting and training of new partners. We're not interested in quantity over quality. Every loan officer and real estate agent we bring into our network must demonstrate a genuine commitment to serving military families and a thorough understanding of how the Hometown Hero Credit works.
The Ripple Effect of Gratitude
What excites us most about our growth plans isn't just the direct impact on military families, but the ripple effect it creates. When we help a military family secure homeownership with thousands of dollars in savings, that family becomes more financially stable, which benefits their children, their community, and the local economy.
Every home purchase supported by the Hometown Hero Credit represents a family putting down roots, contributing to their local community, and building wealth for future generations. These aren't just transactions – they're investments in the fabric of communities across America.
Our loan officers and real estate agents often tell us that working with military families through our program has been some of the most rewarding work of their careers. There's something special about being able to offer genuine value and savings to families who have given so much to our country.
Strengthening Our Foundation
As we prepare for this significant expansion in 2026, we're also focusing on strengthening our operational foundation. This means improving our training programs, streamlining our processes, and ensuring that every partner in our network has the tools and knowledge they need to serve military families effectively.
We're investing in technology that will make it easier for military families to connect with our partners and access their benefits. We're also developing new educational resources that will help families understand not just the Hometown Hero Credit, but all the benefits available to them as military service members, veterans, or Gold Star families.
A Community Built on Service
One of the things we're most proud of is the community we've built around the Hometown Hero Credit. Our loan officers and real estate agents regularly share success stories, best practices, and referrals with each other. They understand that we're all working toward the same goal: ensuring that military families receive the recognition and support they deserve.
This collaborative spirit has been crucial to our success in 2025 and will be even more important as we grow in 2026. We're not just building a network of professionals – we're building a community of advocates who are passionate about serving military families.
The Road Ahead
As we enter 2026, we're energized by the opportunities ahead and grateful for everything we've accomplished together. The million dollars we've delivered to military families is just the beginning. With our expanded network of 150 loan officers and 200 real estate agents, we'll be positioned to help even more families access the benefits they've earned through their service.
We're committed to maintaining the high standards of service and genuine gratitude that have defined our program from the beginning. Every military family deserves to be treated with respect, appreciation, and professional expertise when they're making one of the most important financial decisions of their lives.
The Hometown Hero Credit will continue to provide that crucial 2% credit up to $21,000, calculated on the loan amount, to help with closing costs, interest rate buydowns, agent fees, and debt paydown for VA loan qualification. And with our growing network of dedicated professionals, more families than ever will have access to this benefit.
Thank you to every loan officer, real estate agent, and military family who has been part of our journey in 2025. Here's to an even more impactful 2026.
Brett Stacy
National Director & Founder of the Hometown Hero Credit
A program of Operation T.A.G. (Tangible Act of Gratitude)
501(c)(3) non-profit project of HDCF
📞 (760) 456-8748
🌐 www.OperationTAG.org / www.HometownHeroCredit.com
📖 www.HometownHeroCredit.blog
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