“We Buy Ugly Houses” (HomeVestors slogan)

“We Buy Ugly Houses” is the slogan (since 2000) of HomeVestors, a Dallas-based real estate franchise that began in 1989. HomeVestors buys “ugly” houses (i.e., houses that haven’t been repaired and made presentable for sale), often at a discount from owners who need to make a quick sale and cannot afford to make repairs or wait for the best price.
 
The “We Buy Ugly Houses” signs have appeared on many roadside billboards throughout Texas.
 
   
HomeVestors of America: About the “We Buy Ugly Houses” People”   
After developing award-winning franchised real estate offices in Dallas and Houston in the 1970s and 1980s, the late Ken D’Angelo decided to focus on recycling single-family houses in Dallas. That decision was the basis for what has become HomeVestors of America, Inc., the “We Buy Ugly Houses” people!
 
In the early 1990s, Mr. D’Angelo created a unique billboard advertising campaign that attracted people who were motivated to sell their houses quickly and at a discount. Mr. D’Angelo was willing to purchase the properties—even when they were in dire need of repair—thus the beginnings of the HomeVestors® slogan “We Buy Ugly Houses.” Mr. D’Angelo resold some of the houses to local real estate investors, and in other instances he repaired the properties—enhancing the neighborhoods where they existed—and sold them, often to first-time home buyers.
 
By the mid-1990s, when he was buying and selling more than 100 properties annually, Mr. D’Angelo decided to teach others how to recycle single-family houses in their communities. That’s when he founded the “We Buy Ugly Houses” franchise business system, HomeVestors of America, Inc. (HVA), the first franchise company of its kind. HVA trains and supports franchisees who specialize in buying properties in need of repair. After purchasing a home, a franchisee can employ one of several exit strategies, including:
. Rehabbing and selling the property to a new owner
. Rehabbing and adding the property to their own rental portfolio
. Selling the home to an investor. 
   
(Trademark)
Word Mark HOMEVESTORS
Goods and Services IC 036. US 100 101 102. G & S: real estate services, namely, real estate brokerage, and providing mortgage, title and home insurance brokerage services. FIRST USE: 19890721. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19890721
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 75035546
Filing Date December 21, 1995
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Published for Opposition October 20, 1998
Registration Number 2216811
Registration Date January 12, 1999
Owner (REGISTRANT) HomeVestors, Inc. CORPORATION DELAWARE 5639 Bell Street Dallas TEXAS 75206
(LAST LISTED OWNER) HOMEVESTORS OF AMERICA, INC. CORPORATION DELAWARE SUITE 2001 5740 PROSPECT AVENUE DALLAS TEXAS 75230
Assignment Recorded ASSIGNMENT RECORDED
Attorney of Record STEPHEN L. SAPP
Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Affidavit Text SECT 15. SECT 8 (6-YR).
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE
 
(Trademark)
Word Mark WE BUY UGLY HOUSES. HOMEVESTORS
Goods and Services IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S: Franchising services, namely, offering technical assistance in establishing, operating, marketing and developing franchised businesses that purchase, finance and sell residential real estate. FIRST USE: 20000300. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20000300
Mark Drawing Code (3) DESIGN PLUS WORDS, LETTERS, AND/OR NUMBERS
Design Search Code 07.01.04 - Detached house
07.07.03 - Roofs, dwelling or building
26.05.02 - Plain single line triangles; Triangles, plain single line
26.11.11 - Rectangles divided twice into three sections
26.11.21 - Rectangles that are completely or partially shaded
Serial Number 76453610
Filing Date September 30, 2002
Current Filing Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Published for Opposition June 17, 2003
Registration Number 2761385
Registration Date September 9, 2003
Owner (REGISTRANT) HomeVestors of America, Inc. CORPORATION DELAWARE 11910 Greenville Avenue Suite 300 Dallas TEXAS 75243
Attorney of Record Stephen L. Sapp, Esq.
Prior Registrations 2012077;2216811;2402260;2689569;AND OTHERS
Disclaimer NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE “WE BUY UGLY HOUSES” APART FROM THE MARK AS SHOWN
Description of Mark The mark consists of the words “WE BUY UGLY HOUSES.” in stylized black letters. Placed immediately below the words is an isosceles triangle overlaying and centered between two parallel, rectangular columns oriented vertically representing the capital letter “H” with a small circle placed below the base of the triangle and between the vertical columns representing a stylized doorknob, all situated on a rectangular shaded background, followed by the word “HOMEVESTORS” in stylized green letters, with the entire mark all situated on a yellow background, and such colors are claimed as a feature of the mark.
Type of Mark SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE