HomeVestors, professional home-buying network of independently owned and operated franchisees, announced Friday its largest number of new franchisees in a single quarter.

"Sixty-four new HomeVestors franchises have opened in the past three months, which is almost double the highest number of franchisees that have previously enrolled in a single quarter," said HomeVestors' co-president David Hicks. "This number is remarkable and attests to continued strong interest in real estate investment and the opportunity for investors in today's market."

Since its inception in 1996, HomeVestors of America, the We Buy Ugly Houses franchise, has purchased more than 50,000 homes nationwide. However, from 1996 through 2012, the company has added franchises in 36 states throughout the country.

Since January, HomeVestors has added more than 100 new franchisees to kick off 2013.

 HomeVestors' rapid growth comes amid the housing comeback. "The number of additional new franchisees during the second quarter of 2013 is an indication that investors increasingly believe what we know is true — that there is continued opportunity in the market," said HomeVestors' co-president, Ken Channell.  "We are committed to our franchisees to help encourage continued growth and success this year."