2008 Homeownership Summit - Atlanta

The 2008 Homeownership Summit is scheduled for Saturday, June 28 from 9AM to 3PM. This event is FREE to all attendees.

It is a program being put on in partnership between HUD, FHA, PEMCO, DeKalb & Fulton County Governments, Atlanta Development Authority, Georgia DCA, City of Atlanta Bureau of Housing, and many other Non Profits & Housing Professionals

Attendees will become familiar with options and resources available to assist them in purchasing and sustaining a home. Most importantly, if attendees participate in all sessions, they will receive a certificate to be used when obtaining Down Payment Assistance from Government Agencies.

Each education break-out session only lasts 45 minutes and rotate for 5 hours.

Here are the topics of each session:

PURCHASING A HOME

• Basic Financial Education, Get the Facts: “Pros and Cons of Homeownership”
• Identifying the Industry Professionals – Realtors, Inspectors, Appraisers, Attorneys etc. “Understand Your Home buying Team”
• Credit & Budgeting, “How to Improve Your Credit Score”
• Qualifying for Your Mortgage/Down Payment Assistance – “How Much House Can I Afford”
• Mortgage Products and The Process: Fixed Products vs. ARMs; 15, 20 or 30 year Financing; Avoiding Predatory Lenders – “Why Borrow Trouble”
  

SUSTAINING YOUR HOME

• Post Purchase Concerns: “Maintaining Your Home & Managing Your Finances”
• Mortgage Default Counseling & Loss Mitigation Options – “Ways to Avoid Foreclosure”
• Refinancing & FHA Secure Loan Restructuring – “How to Get a Better Rate”
• Consumer Protection Rights & Awareness – “Beware of Rips Offs and Scams”
• Legal Aid & Assistance – “How to Seek Legal Advice”
  

For more information, contact me today.

Buying An Older Home in DeKalb County? Old Toilets Will Mean No Water Service

If you plan on buying or selling one of the 165,000+ homes built before 1993 in DeKalb County, please be aware that starting this June buyers will be required to have proof of "low-flow" toilets before the county will hook up water service.

For sellers, having these fixtures already updated before placing your home on the market can be an excellent selling point that makes your home stand out.

To help homeowners meet this new mandate, DeKalb County is offering two rebate options. The first is a $50.00 rebate for the purchase of any approved 1.6 gallons per flush toilet on the list of eligible toilets. The second option is a $100.00 rebate for the purchase of any approved 1.28 gallons per flush toilet on the list of eligible toilets.

For more information on the Toilet Rebate Program and list eligible toilets, click here.