Enlarge More than 200 people showed up for last year's Workforce Housing Fair.

Posted: November 3rd, 2009 Greg Lacour

Charlotte’s Realtor community used to hold annual housing fairs as an insider thing, among just themselves, to swap advice and keep tabs on trends. Then the housing market collapsed, and the national economy with it.

So last year, the Charlotte Regional Realtor Association decided to organize a free housing fair for the public through its charitable arm, the Housing Opportunity Foundation. It drew about 200 people. The HOF expects even more Saturday, when it’ll host its second Workforce Housing Fair at Little Rock AME Zion Church.

“We realize we’re in such unique times, the community really needs something like this in a much broader capacity,” said Terri Marshall, the foundation’s executive director. “It’s not only about getting ready to purchase a home and what that looks like, but also what it means to stay in a home.”

The fair will run from noon-4 p.m. The church is at the corner of North McDowell and Seventh streets. The three sessions will be in the old Afro-American Cultural Center building.

The three sessions:

* ABCs of Homeownership (in English and Spanish), 12:30 p.m. Reviewing the process of buying a home.

* How to Save Hundreds on Your Home Purchase: Tax advantages of homeownership, loan and down-payment assistance, nonprofit resources.

* Refinancing and Preventing Foreclosure: Maintaining a home’s value, how and when to refinance, options for owners facing foreclosure.

“People don’t need to worry about getting a hard sell from a realtor. We’re there as a resource,” Marshall said. “We’re trying to pull together resources so people can get their questions answered, because it’s not just a very confusing process, but a very confusing time.”

For more information: Housing Opportunity Foundation or 704-940-3148.

Share:

Previous Page