NeighborWorks of America initiated National NeighborWorks Week as a commemoration to showcase the positive accomplishments and goals of locally affiliated NeighborWorks organizations. Launched in 1984, the week-long celebration, usually held June 5-12, is an opportunity to increase visibility, strengthen and build networking partnerships and present educational workshops to the community that advocate homeownership. There are also hands-on days for the community to participate in by doing outreach, in their own neighborhood, by helping to renovate and restore homes. From its small beginning National NeighborWorks Week has grown to include more than 240 community organizations in more than 4400 neighborhoods throughout the country. On June 5, Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (CNHS) took part in the celebration by having a day-long workshop entitled “Knowledge is Empowering Homebuyer Seminar”.
Joe Marshall, HUD certified housing counselor and center manager for Make-A-Difference, facilitated the event. There were several CNHS staffers on hand to assist including Ronald Wade, construction specialist at CNHS, who gave a presentation on the importance of the home inspection; Barbara Brooks, loan officer; and Frank LaMagna, title loan officer.
Several organizations and businesses partnered with CNHS to make the event a huge success. The seminar had 5 concentrated areas: Preparing for Homeownership, Shopping for a Home, Obtaining a Mortgage, Closing on a Home, and Life as a Homeowner. Specialists from each area presented information that would help the prospective homeowner maneuver their way through the homebuyer process:
- Closing Cost Process: Pat Stobie, sales consultant for Total Tile Solutions
- Obtaining a Mortgage: Mike Kelly, branch manger at 21st Century Mortgage
- Obtaining a Mortgage: Teresa Cintron, vice-president Inspirca Loan Team at Bank of America
- Homebuyer Process: Garyanna Benson, realtor with Remax Realty.
Over 50 attendees were present at Clearwater Country Club to enjoy interactive sessions, door prizes, and a complimentary continental breakfast and luncheon. Many of the presenters gave away gift cards as door prizes. Anita McFarland, realtor, from Charles Rutenburg also donated a gift card and the grand prize of a lap to computer was donated by Linda Jouben, from Jefferson Bank of Oldsmar.
Mr. Marshall has had several positive feedback calls about the seminar. He felt that the information was delivered in a basic format that the participants could understand and retain.” I felt they were more confident to pursue homeownership,” he said.