Local Home Buying 101

For 25 years, nonprofit Coastal Housing Partnership has been helping employees of local companies realize the dream of home ownership, through education programs and financial benefits. Now Coastal Housing Partnership is sharing its resources with the entire community through the first-ever Home Buying Fair, taking place on Saturday, May 19th, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Earl Warren Showgrounds.

“We are pleased to welcome the entire community to this unique ‘one-stop’ event, to access the resources, information, guidance and partnerships we have developed throughout our 25 years of successfully helping local families overcome common obstacles to home ownership,” said Corby Gage, Executive Director, Coastal Housing Partnership.

The 2012 Home Buying Fair will feature 25 “How-To” Sessions throughout the day, on key aspects of the home buying process and local market conditions, presented by local experts – in English and Spanish.

“How-To” topics are designed for all types of home buyers, from first-time to “move-up” buyers, and from those exploring refinancing to those just starting to think about home ownership.

· Sessions such as How to Be the Strongest Buyer in Your Lender’s Eyes and Financial Readiness: Will You Be Ready When the Time is Right? focus on financial preparedness.

· What To Know Before You Buy, 5 Steps of the Homebuying Process and How to Work with a Real Estate Agent cover the key early steps on the home buying journey.

· Several sessions help attendees understand the range of down payment options and access to closing costs assistance such as Low to NO Down Payment Home Loans and Opening Doors with Low Down Payment & Renovation Loans.

· Those considering refinancing, major renovations, or opportunities in today’s ‘short sale’, foreclosure and ‘REO’ landscape can also choose from a number of informative sessions, including Purchasing Foreclosure/Short Sale Properties & Financing.

“This is an efficient, no-pressure environment for potential home owners to learn about the home buying or refinancing process, and easily interview potential partners for their home buying team,” continued Gage.

Home Buying Fair attendees will also be able to meet more than 50 exhibitors including local lenders, real estate agents, residential developers, credit advisors and other service providers who can educate and help residents through the process of finding a home, qualifying for or refinancing a mortgage, and purchasing and maintaining their home.

The first 100 attendees will receive a gift from OSH or Yogurtland. There will be goodie bags and a kids’ activity book, and throughout the day there will be many giveaways and other great prizes -including a new barbecue grill from Home Depot.

The 2012 Home Buying Fair is presented by “Key” sponsor Broadview Mortgage, Santa Barbara. “Welcome” sponsors are Santa Barbara Bank & Trust and UCSB. For a complete list of current sponsors, exhibitors, educational sessions and more information, visit www.coastalhousing.org.

Tickets are $5 per adult. Admission is free for employees of Coastal Housing Partnership Member Employers. Parking is free. For more information, please call (805) 969-1025 or visit www.coastalhousing.org/home-buying-fair/.

Coastal Housing Partnership: 25 Years of Service to the Community

Over the past twenty-five years, Coastal Housing Partnership has helped more than 10,000 local employees become home owners. And over 7,000 have attended Coastal Housing Partnership home buying seminars.

As a partner with local employers, Coastal Housing Partnership helps companies and organizations attract and retain employees in a region with some of the highest housing prices in the nation. Employees of Coastal Housing Partnership Member Employers are eligible for significant savings and benefits which include home buying, mortgage refinancing and renting, as well as home buying education on how to get started on the path to home ownership. Membership in Coastal Housing Partnership is open to any employer in Santa Barbara County or Ventura County.

For more information about Coastal Housing Partnership and the 2012 Home Buying Fair, visit www.coastalhousing.org.