Ex-‘Big Brother’ Star’s Real Estate Venture Faces Nationwide Scrutiny

Former reality TV personality Amanda Zachman‘s transition from television to business has taken an unexpected turn as her company faces legal challenges across multiple states. Zachman, who gained recognition during her appearance on “Big Brother” Season 15 in 2013, founded MV Realty after leaving the entertainment world. The Florida-based real estate brokerage developed a unique business model called the Homeowner Benefit Program, which offers property owners upfront payments ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 in exchange for exclusive listing rights, according to CBS News Texas.

The program’s structure involves homeowners signing agreements that commit them to using MV Realty as their exclusive listing agent if they decide to sell their property. While the concept appeared straightforward, its implementation has led to complications for numerous homeowners across the country, with legal actions now pending in 11 states.

Understanding the Agreement Structure

The Homeowner Benefit Program operates through contracts that extend for 40-year terms and can transfer to heirs upon a homeowner’s death, according to CBS News Texas. Property owners who wish to exit these agreements face termination fees equivalent to approximately 3% of their home’s value.

Real estate attorney Jennifer Nachtigal explained the complexities to the outlet: “They find a lot of ways to call something one thing, but it is what it is. Call it a Homeowners Benefit agreement, but it’s really like an exclusive listing agreement that binds you to basically pay these people whether or not they do any services for you.”

The company reportedly files memoranda against properties enrolled in the program. While not technically liens, these documents can create obstacles for homeowners attempting to refinance or sell their properties. “Texas’ Constitution has strong protections for the homestead, and they don’t allow certain liens to be filed against the homestead,” Nachtigal said. “Even if they’re voluntary, even if the homeowner signed the lien themselves.”

CBS News Texas investigations revealed that MV Realty has filed over 500 memoranda in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and more than 1,200 across the state of Texas. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in September 2023, listing all active Homeowner Benefit Agreements as company assets, according to Moneywise.

Homeowner Experiences and Legislative Response

Several property owners have shared their experiences with the program. Tanya Shaw told CBS News Texas she accepted approximately $1,000 from MV Realty in 2022, believing it was a safe decision since she had no immediate plans to sell. However, when a family emergency required her to refinance, she discovered the memorandum prevented the transaction.

“I felt stupid,” Shaw said. “Because even though desperate times call for desperate measures, they gave me $1,000. I could have kept my home if I was able to refinance.”

Shaw ultimately sold her property through another agent, violating the agreement’s terms, and was required to pay MV Realty approximately $11,000 in addition to standard real estate fees.

Colorado homeowner Jonathan Mead received $1,245 under the agreement but later questioned the arrangement after seeing media coverage, according to KJCT 8 News. When the bankruptcy notice arrived, he hoped it would void the contract, but discovered that wasn’t the case.

State legislators nationwide have responded to these concerns, with 22 states passing laws against similar real estate fee agreements over the past two years, according to CBS News Texas. Colorado specifically banned these agreements earlier this year, with lawmakers calling them “predatory.” Texas legislators introduced two bills addressing the issue, although neither advanced beyond the committee stage.