"James Williamson, an agent with Remax Realty, explains some of the intricacies of home buying to Kristi and Josh Neroni during the Homebuyers Education Course. / Photos by Andrea Stetson/news-press.com
The road to buying a home can be exciting, yet confusing and even scary.
Wading through the maze of mortgage and closing procedures, financial management, inspections and home improvements can be daunting, especially for first-time homebuyers. That's why the Lee County Housing Development Corp. and Realtor Association of Greater Fort Myers and the Beach has a free Homebuyers Education Course.
The eight-hour class can turn the blur of paperwork, finances and responsibilities into something clear and manageable.
The course just reached its second year helping people in Southwest Florida. More than 350 people have taken the class since it began in the fall of 2009. Statistics from the housing corporation show 82 percent of people who go through homebuyer courses don't default on their mortgages.
"It takes you through the whole process," said Treva Gilligan, executive director of the housing corporation.
The course includes information on homeownership readiness and affordability, money and credit management, types of properties and financing available, obtaining a mortgage, the closing processes, and home maintenance and financial management after you've bought your home.
"We tell them to think about long term," Gilligan said. "They need to put money away so they have money when they get into their home."
Participants also learn about the different types of insurance they will need and how to budget for insurance and taxes." [Continue reading...]
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