Free foreclosure workshops offered by realtors

Here’s the press release from the Asheville Board of REALTORS:

“The Truth about Short Sales and Foreclosures,” a free seminar sponsored by the Asheville, Haywood County, and Hendersonville Boards of REALTORS®, will be offered to the public in July and August. The session will explain the process of short sale transactions and provide information about foreclosure prevention.

The seminar will include presentations by local attorneys, mortgage brokers, and housing finance agencies. Following the presentations, participants will have an opportunity to talk with presenters one-on-one.

“The seminar introduces participants to local experts in the housing field. Whether a seller or buyer has questions about the short sale process, or a property owner wants information about foreclosure prevention, the program is designed to provide factual assistance, ” explained Corean Hamlin, program organizer.

The seminar is made possible by a grant from the National Association of REALTORS®. Earlier this year, the Asheville Board of REALTORS®, in cooperation with the Hendersonville and Haywood County Boards, applied for a grant, for the purpose of providing education for community members. It is the latest example of local REALTORS® working to promote and support Affordable Housing initiatives.

In 2010, the Asheville Board of REALTORS® was selected as one of three roll-out sites for the NC Workforce Housing Specialist certification program. The program provides REALTORS® with expert knowledge on federal, state and local housing programs and resources available for workforce housing buyers. Also, the program connects REALTORS® with local organizations and resources. OnTrac Financial and Counseling, MHO, Habitat for Humanity, Self-Help Credit Union, and USDA Rural Development are partners in the program.

Since the first pilot courses, local REALTORS® have embraced the program. Nearly 100 REALTORS® now hold the certification and 100+ more are pursuing it.

“The Workforce Housing Specialist program is excellent. Not only do we learn about the programs and resources available to Workforce Housing buyers, but we also build relationships with the local agencies supporting those programs,” commented Randall Barnett, Affordable Housing Committee Chair, Asheville Board of REALTORS®.

Local Workforce Housing Specialists formed the Affordable Housing Committee at the Asheville Board of REALTORS®. In the past two years, they have organized three Affordable Housing fairs. The next fair is scheduled for Saturday, August 4th, at the First Baptist Church, from 9am-2pm. The event is free and open to the public.

“In the numerous discussions in my role as Government Affairs Director, we inevitably get around to the number of short sales and foreclosure we have already suffered and those still ahead of us. In many cases, some folks are either afraid to face the issue or don’t know how to approach their specific problem. I am extremely proud to know the Asheville Board of REALTORS® can offer a free of charge seminar, taught by the experts that have the answers. I hope they will respond to our advertising and come to our seminars. We can help them,” observed Mike Butrum, Governmental Affairs Director, Asheville Board of REALTORS®.

Following are the dates and locations for “The Truth about Short Sales and Foreclosures” seminars. No registration is required.

• Saturday, August 4, 10am-Noon AND 1-3 pm
Affordable Housing Fair: 9am – 2pm
First Baptist Church, 5 Oak Street, Asheville Contact Asheville Board of REALTORS® 828.255.8505

Mike Butrum
Asheville Board of REALTORS
275 2422