Frankfort Realtors' Homes For Guardians Gets Nonprofit Status

FRANKFORT, IL — When Frankfort residents Tony and Jessica Martinez first started their Homes for Guardians program in 2019, they immediately started to give back to the community by making the home buying and selling process easier and more lucrative for others.

Now that Homes for Guardians has been granted 501(c)3 status as of December, the Martinezes' can collect charitable donations and pass along that money to even more military personnel, healthcare workers, teachers, first responders, union workers and others in the "Guardians" category looking to buy or sell a home.

The process works like this: Anyone who falls into any of the above listed professions or their family members who are looking to buy or sell a home can reach out to Tony and Jessica, who are licensed realtors with eXp Realty. Tony and Jessica will work with the individuals to get up to $3,000 in rebates on the purchase of a home, or a 20 percent credit on the net commission of the sale of a home.

The Martinezes also partner with other, local businesses to provide additional services needed in the home buying and selling process, including an attorney who donates time to go over contracts, a lender who will provide a closing credit and a home inspector who will give a discount to those who utilize Tony and Jessica's services.

"We've developed a team of people who are all ready to give back and help people save when they're buying and selling," Jessica said.

Homes for Guardians has a special meaning for the Martinezes; Tony is an Air Force and Navy disabled veteran, and Jessica worked in the healthcare field before becoming a realtor. They said they both have always wanted to help give back to their communities and the people who support those communities, and helping them with home buying and selling was the obvious choice for Tony and Jessica.

"The goal is we're trying to give back on a larger scale," Jessica said. "And now that we're a nonprofit, we're really trying to expand what we're able to do."

Jessica said the couple plans to begin hosting fundraisers this year, and not just for Homes for Guardians; Tony and Jessica would also like to help with fundraising for other nonprofits that help benefit veterans and other frontline workers.

"We'd really like to be able to give back to local disabled veterans or people who are struggling," Jessica said. "Maybe pay their mortgage for a month or help out in some way."

For more information, check out Tony and Jessica's YouTube channel, "Living in Chicago Illinois," visit their Homes for Guardians Facebook page, or visit their website. Those who are interested in the Homes for Guardians program can also reach out to the Martinezes directly by calling (708) 627-2320.