Mesquite High School Sweethearts Win $75,000 Sweepstakes, Celebrate First-Ever Home in Their Hometown

March 11, 2026

COLUMBIA, Mo. — After nearly a decade of military service, multiple overseas deployments and years of apartment living, U.S. Army Veteran Alex Crabtree and his wife, Amanda, are finally stepping into a home of their own in their hometown of Mesquite, Texas, thanks in part to winning the $75,000 Veteran Homebuyer Giveaway from Veterans United Home Loans and Realtor.com®.

The Mesquite couple - high school sweethearts since their sophomore year - were selected in a nationwide random drawing. The $75,000 prize (less applicable tax withholdings) was used toward the purchase of their first home, helping ease upfront homebuying costs and turning a long-held dream into reality.

For Alex, the moment is especially meaningful. He served nine years in the military - three years on active duty in the Army and six years in the National Guard - including deployments to Egypt and the Horn of Africa. After completing his military service, Alex and Amanda have remained anchored in the Mesquite area to build the next chapter of their lives near family and community.

“This is what the American Dream looks like,” said Brian Butcher, senior director of marketing at Veterans United Home Loans. “Alex served our country for nine years, including multiple overseas deployments. Being able to help his family put down roots in the community where their story began is a great example of why we do what we do.”

“We’ve spent years living in apartments and hoping that one day we’d have a home of our own,” said Alex. “To finally walk through the front door knowing it’s ours - that’s something I can’t put into words. I’m beyond thankful to Veterans United and Realtor.com for believing in Veterans like me and giving families like ours this opportunity,” he added.

“For many Veterans and service members, a VA loan can be a game changer,” said Tricia Smith, SVP at Realtor.com®.“By removing the hurdle of a large down payment, these loans open doors to homeownership and financial security years sooner.We are proud to team up with Veterans United Home Loans to help families like the Crabtrees achieve the stability and equity that comes with owning a home.”

The Crabtrees have two boys, ages nine and two, and have spent years living in apartments while working toward homeownership. When they began house hunting, they only toured two homes before finding the one that felt right. Amanda immediately connected with the home’s yard, envisioning space for their children to play and grow.

“For years, we entered this giveaway and never thought we’d actually win,” Amanda shared. “To finally have a place that’s ours - where we can decorate, plant a garden and watch our kids grow up - it means everything.”

Alex added that he’s most looking forward to simple moments: firing up the grill and smoker again, and creating memories in a home that truly belongs to them.

The family closed today on their new home and celebrated shortly after, marking the beginning of a new chapter just minutes from where they grew up.

Another Veteran Will Win in 2026

The celebration doesn’t end with the Crabtrees. Veterans United Home Loans and Realtor.com® are currently accepting entries for the 2026 New Year, New Home $75K Veteran Homebuyer Giveaway, giving another deserving Veteran or military family the opportunity to win $75,000 toward a home purchase.

Veterans and service members can learn more and enter at:
realtor.com/new-year-new-home (see below for abbreviated sweepstakes rules).

Amanda, whose husband entered the giveaways for several years before winning, encourages others to take the chance.

“You never think it will be you - until it is,” she said.

About Veterans United Home Loans

Based in Columbia, Missouri, the full-service national lender financed more than $26 billion in loans in 2025 and is the country's largest VA lender, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs Lender Statistics. The company’s mission is to help Veterans and service members take advantage of the home loan benefits earned by their service.

VeteransUnited.com | 1-800-884-5560 | 550 Veterans United Drive, Columbia, MO 65201 | Veterans United Home Loans NMLS # 1907 (www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org). Private lender. Not endorsed or sponsored by the Dept. of Veterans Affairs or any government agency. Licensed in all 50 states. For State Licensing information, please visit www.veteransunited.com/licenses. Equal Housing Opportunity.

About Realtor.com^®

Realtor.com^® pioneered online real estate and has been at the forefront for over 25 years, connecting buyers, sellers, and renters with trusted insights, professional guidance and powerful tools to help them find their perfect home. Recognized as the No. 1 site trusted by real estate professionals, Realtor.com^® is a valued partner, delivering consumer connections and a robust suite of marketing tools to support business growth. Realtor.com^® is operated by News Corp [Nasdaq: NWS, NWSA] [ASX: NWS, NWSLV] subsidiary Move, Inc.

Media Contacts:
Chad Moller – Veterans United Home LoansRealtor.com Communications
[573-268-3110] | chad.moller@veteransunited.compress@realtor.com

New Year, New Home $75K Rules

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. The Veterans United Home Loans and Realtor.com® 2026 New Year, New Home $75K Veteran Homebuyer Giveaway sweepstakes starts 01/13/2026 (12:01p.m., Eastern Time) and ends 03/19/2026 (11:59a.m., Eastern Time). Open to qualifying U.S. military service members and U.S. military veterans who are domiciled in the U.S. and are at least the age of majority in their place of domicile, be it 18 or an older age. One entry per person. Prize is US$75,000.00 for, or toward, the purchase of a home in the U.S., but may be subject to tax withholding. Prize awarded by random drawing. Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. See Official Rules for how to enter, prize details, restrictions and other conditions and requirements. Sponsor: Mortgage Research Center, LLC, d/b/a Veterans United Home Loans, 550 Veterans United Drive, Columbia, MO 65201.