As part of the Douglas County Housing Partnership, I volunteer to teach their First Time Home Buyer Class. After attending the class participants are eligible to receive up to $20,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance. Along with eligibility for other grants from counties and programs sponsored by the Colorado Association of Realtors.

While attendance to the class provides an immediate financial benefit to participants, the long term goal is to provide a more educated consumer. The press is full of stories of foreclosure, loan scams, and over priced properties. These have an overall negative effect on home ownership and the over all health of the real estate market. Foreclosures not only hurt the owner's immediate financial state, but hurt them long term in ruined credit, making it often impossible to purchase another home for many years to come. In addition, they hurt the surrounding neighborhood by depressing home values.

The loan companies represented in the class have been prescreened and approved by the County to administer their programs. The intent is to provide the first time buyer with solid loan programs that aren't loaded with hidden fees and interest rates that are free of bait and switch tactics that have proven disastrous to the consumer.

The real estate market has become ever more complex and too many peoples dream of home ownership turn into a nightmare from not taking the time to understand the basics. This class provides the forum for participants to get their questions answered as well as listen to others questions. Whether you are attempting to buy a resale home or a new build the class provides the insights to help you make better financial decisions.

For more information on the class and its schedule please contact me.