The AmeriCorps Self-Sufficiency Housing Resource Center at the Utica Municipal Housing Authority will offer a free workshop for first-time home buyers on Tuesday, June 28 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Chancellor Apartments, 417 Bleecker St., Utica, Community Room. It is open to the public.
The seminar, “Thinking about Buying a Home?,” will review the pros and cons of purchasing a home, pre-purchase planning, understanding credit, choosing the right mortgage, finding a real estate agent, benefits of a home inspection, homeownership counseling services, matched savings program, buying Urban Renewal property, rent-to-own option, and legal concerns.
The workshop is part of the housing authority’s celebration of National Homeownership Month. “Dare to Own the Dream” is the theme of this month-long recognition, reinforcing the long-held belief that owning a home remains one of the cornerstones of the American Dream.
John Furman, Director of Grants, Programs, Compliance, and Monitoring, stated: “The purpose of the workshop is to help first-time homebuyers to determine if they are ready to move from renting to buying a home. We will let participants know what they need to do now to realize their dream of buying a home. We are excited about sponsoring this workshop and hope that our tenants and Section 8 voucher holders will attend.”
Speakers will include Kristen Graves of the HomeOwnership Center, William Calli, Esq., John Furman of the MHA, Matthew Barlow of the National Property Inspections, Ed Jekel of the Mohawk Valley Association of Realtors, Gene Allen of the City of Utica Urban Renewal Agency, and Josh Amodio of Priceless Inspections. Financial institutions will be in attendance.
The Housing Authority AmeriCorps Housing Self-Sufficiency Resource Center will be available to provide information about local programs.
To sign up for the free seminar or request more information, please email cnyhirc@gmail.com, or call the Utica Housing Authority at (315) 735-3362, ext. 25. Participants are encouraged to register online at https://goo.gl/ou5Ycj.
Refreshments will be served. Door prizes will be provided by Empower Federal Credit Union. Additional parking is available at the housing authority offices, 509 2nd St., Utica.