Striving to better serve the affordable housing marketNon-Conforming loans, FHA, Link Deposit Program, Certified Affordable Housing REALTOR® (CAHR), Hilltop Bean Dinner, Minority Homeownership Expo, National Association Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP), Neighborhood Gold, Festival Latino, National Homeownership Month. If you know what all these things are then you must be on one of the largest committees in the Columbus Board of REALTORS®. We have seven active subcommittees and are actively trying to spread the word about what the committee is doing. This year should be a banner year as we are committed to continuing to fulfill the mission of educating both fellow REALTORS® and the public about homeownership, especially, housing priced under $125,000. As you may be aware, the under $125,000 home is the bread and butter of our industry here in the Central Ohio area and accounted for almost 40% of the transactions closed by our members last year. It is this committee's job is to help REALTORS® understand how to better serve the affordable housing market. To that end, the Manual Subcommittee is in the process of updating the affordable housing lending programs that are currently found in the Affordable Housing Manual. Once these programs are updated, they will be available 24/7 on the affordable housing page online. The information compiled here will contain a plethora of information on available down payment assistance programs and grants. The Education Subcommittee is responsible for assembling education programs. This year's curriculum includes a FSBO course, Train the Trainer - How to present an Affordable Housing Homebuyers Seminar, Bidding on HUD Homes and Financing I and II. Dates and times for these classes will be published in In Contract and online. The Cooperative Ventures Subcommittee spent the first few months working on the Columbus Urban League's Minority Homeownership Expo, which was held April 23rd at the King Arts Complex. CBR hosted a booth at this event and several committee members were on-hand to discuss with perspective homebuyers their specific home buying needs. The subcommittee is now looking to put together an event in conjunction with the Columbus Public Schools. Cooperative Ventures is also working with the HUD Homeownership Month Subcommittee on June's National Homeownership Month celebration activities. Several events are scheduled including a nearing completion celebration of a Habitat for Humanity home located in American Edition (Joyce & 17th) that will kick-off the month-long celebration, a city-wide Super Sunday Affordable Housing Open House, June 12, and hosting a booth at Festival Latino, June 17-18, and the Hilltop Bean Dinner, June 25. Our Roundtable Subcommittee is responsible for scheduling guest speakers for our roundtables, which are a big part of each monthly meeting. Upcoming topics can be found online at www.ColumbusRealtors and in In Contract magazine. Who knows you might learn something if you attend. International Outreach Subcommittee has seen a significant growth and is focused on planning activities to help the many different cultures we are lucky enough to get to support here in Central Ohio achieve the American Dream. | | 
Elton Davis,
Co-Chair
 Fred Kierner,
Co-Chair
| | National Homeownership Month! June is designed nationally as National Homeownership Month. Local and state associations across the country contribute to this month-long celebration by showcasing how REALTORS® are committed to making homeownership a reality for everyone in their communities. Throughout the month, REALTORS® are encouraged to work together with community organizations to create stronger, more vibrant communities through various community activities. Toward that end, the Affordable Housing Committee has again partnered with the City of Columbus, the Columbus Office of HUD, and Habitat for Humanity to plan several events to promote and encourage homeownership. Mayor Michael Coleman has issued a proclamation proclaiming June as National Homeownership Month in Central, Ohio. A Nearing Completion Celebration of a Habitat for Humanity home located in American Edition (Joyce &17th) will kick-off the month-long celebration on June 1, 10:30 am. A city-wide Super Sunday Affordable Housing Open House on will be held Sunday June 12, and we will be hosting a CBR/HUD booth at Festival Latino, June 17-18, and at the Hilltop Bean Dinner on June 25. Anyone interested in participating in the Super Sunday Affordable Housing Open House should contact Lynn Hackworth. |
|
Calendar