Culture

Keller Williams associate Greg Heath, of Keller Williams Coastal Valley Realty in California, has served every community he has lived in. He began his service while he and his wife were living in Clifton Park, N.Y. Heath served as a volunteer fireman until he sustained an injury in a 15-foot fall that not only ended his fire assistance service, but his full-time career.

Following the injury, Heath and his wife moved to California where he worked in the wine industry for more than 10 years. Employment there allowed him to develop relationships with many people in his community and the surrounding areas. These relationships ultimately helped Heath when he decided to start a career in real estate.

“I went around to different offices to talk with friends and agents and to get a feel for the industry,” he says. “It wasn’t until I walked into a Keller Williams Realty office that it hit me. I felt like someone flipped on a switch. Everything was running smoothly, employees seemed happy, conversations flowed and it was inviting.”

Continuing his commitment to service, Heath is the local representative for the Homes for Heroes Foundation, a national program dedicated to providing help for military personnel, police and other peace officers, firefighters, first responders and teachers.

Homes for Heroes formed following the tragedy of 9/11 as a way to say “thank you” to public servants. The foundation assists with everything from preventing eviction from and foreclosure on homes to providing first and last month’s rent.

“This is a great concept to help those in the community who serve or have served and protect us,” Heath says, noting the charitable organization has no administrative overhead and pays no rent or salaries. “The cost to those interested in the program is free and promises no hidden fees, no red tape and no catch to use it.”

After a transaction is completed, an affiliated network, Friends of Heroes, helps with discounts on other various services like moving, storage, pest control and remodeling.

“This foundation is more than assistance for those who serve,” Heath says. “It gives back and affords further opportunities people may not have had otherwise.”

Heath was recently named the local representative for Homes for Heroes in his town and featured in the local newspaper. You can read the full story at the Santa Maria Times.