For Immediate Release:
June 8, 2009
NJ REALTORS® CELEBRATE NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP MONTH WITH NEW SERIES OF PROGRAMS
(Edison, NJ) Each June, the New Jersey Association of REALTORS® (NJAR®) joins REALTORS® from across the country in promoting the benefits of homeownership and bringing to light the challenges people may face when trying to afford to purchase a home. This year, in celebration of National Homeownership Month, NJAR® is presenting a series of programs and events to aid potential home buyers in recognizing the benefits and opportunities available in this market as well as help answer their questions in determining whether now is the appropriate time for them to buy.
On Thursday, June 18, 2009, NJAR® is hosting a free webinar, or web-based seminar, with the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (HMFA) to educate consumers about the Agency's first-time buyer program, Smart Start down payment program, and "Pre-fund" tax credit loan program. Entitled
Mortgage Options in Today's Market, the webinar will begin at 11:00 a.m. with an introduction from NJAR® 2009 President Diane Dilzell. Information on the state's foreclosure prevention resources will also be included. Space is limited. Interested participants must pre-register at
www.njar.com/education/webinars/mortgage_options/register.php. Non-registered guests will be admitted to the webinar as space permits. Participants will be able to log in to view in the webinar from any computer with an Internet connection and speakers for sound.
"Confusion about the real estate market and the economic climate is very common in today's marketplace," said Dilzell. "Through this webinar and series of events, New Jersey REALTORS® and allied housing professionals are banding together to aid consumers and provide them with the knowledge about the $8,000 federal tax credit and other government programs and incentives to help them successfully obtain the American dream of homeownership."
On Wednesday, June 24, 2009, NJAR® is presenting an educational program in the form of a home buyer event in conjunction with the
Star Ledger entitled, The Clock is Ticking: Time to Harness Your Home Buying Power. The event, which is the first of a series, will be held at the NJ Convention and Exposition Center at Raritan Center in Edison. It will include speaker representatives from NJAR®, joined with Patrick O'Keefe, director of economic research for J.H. Cohn LLP, Marge Della Vecchia, executive director for HMFA, as well as invited exhibitors from organizations such as the Internal Revenue Service, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, and a Department of Housing and Urban Development- approved counseling agency. Attendance is free but seating is limited, so guests are encouraged to pre-register at
events@njar.com or call (732) 494-5616.
NJAR® members also take an active role promoting homeownership opportunities by supporting programs and providing resources that help increase safe and affordable housing options for more New Jersey residents. The New Jersey Association of REALTORS® Housing Opportunity Foundation, Inc., (NJARHOF) provides funding to organizations throughout the state that offer home buyer education, develop public awareness and create affordable homeownership options. As a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization that seeks to create greater homeownership opportunities, NJARHOF also offers a
Housing Opportunity Resource Guide to help home buyers identify different housing programs in New Jersey. The guide is available at no cost and lists contact information for federal, state and local housing assistance programs and can be obtained online at
www.njar.com/about_njar/hof/horg/index.php. Everyone is encouraged to take a part in Homeownership Month by making a contribution to the Foundation. More information about NJARHOF and how to make donations may be found at
www.njar.com/njarhof.
"Homeownership is the foundation to building a strong community," added Dilzell. "Although Homeownership Month occurs only once a year, REALTORS® always work hard to promote the value of owning a home, strengthening New Jersey's neighborhoods, and the need to help more people gain access to safe and affordable housing."
The New Jersey Association of REALTORS®, with approximately 50,000 REALTOR® and REALTOR-ASSOCIATE® members, is one of the largest trade organizations in the state. NJAR®'s membership is comprised of real estate professionals who subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are members of the national and local REALTOR® organizations. As the leading advocate for the real estate industry and private property rights in New Jersey, NJAR® is committed to protecting the dream of homeownership. For more information, please visit www.njar.com.
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