The Coastal Association of
REALTORS® (CAR), in partnership with Salisbury Neighborhood
Housing Services (SNHS), was awarded a $3,600 grant from the National
Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Housing Opportunity Program to support
activities that create and expand affordable housing opportunities.
The grant will be used to
offer a Community-Wide Homebuyers Education Seminar at no cost to dozens of
local residents on Saturday, October 8, 2016 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at
Rivers Edge Apartments & Studio for the Arts in Salisbury.
The Homebuyers Education
Seminar is an 8-hour class required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development in order for first-time homebuyers to receive a mortgage through
specified loan programs. The class is offered regularly by SNHS, which is a
part of the NeighborWorks America network. The course fee is normally $100 per
family. This fee will be waived for the first 25 families who register for the
October 8 course through SNHS. This course is available to all residents from
Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties.
“REALTORS® build communities and work hard to make housing
affordable to all who are willing and able to become homeowners,” said CAR
President Linda Moran. “This grant will help many local families achieve their
dream of owning a home and also serves to further our association’s mission to
promote and encourage affordable homeownership for these hardworking Lower
Eastern Shore residents.”
SNHS Executive Director,
Cheryl Meadows, added “we are so thrilled to take our mission “on the road” and
bring our resources and trained professionals to the community on a broader
scale. This opportunity is our mission in action and we cannot wait.”
The seminar will provide
attendees with an opportunity for one-on-one guidance from members of CAR who
work as real estate professionals every day. CAR’s president, as well as an
affiliate lender, title attorney, and insurance agent will provide attendees
with vital information to ensure their success in purchasing and protecting
their home.
SNHS certified financial
counselors will present information on homebuyer readiness, understanding
credit, managing money and post-purchase responsibility. SNHS will also run
attendees’ credit scores during the event.
Presentations will also be
made by community partners Chesapeake Utilities and representatives from the
City of Salisbury’s Housing & Community Development, Sewer & Water, and
Finance departments.
Attendees will receive
certificates upon completion of the course which are required by many lenders.
These certificates are good for two years.
To register for the course,
contact SNHS at 410-546-4626.