Yakima REALTORS® honor Commission as “Partner of the Year” for homebuyer classes
YAKIMA – January 22, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — The Washington State Housing Finance Commission has been recognized by the Yakima Association of REALTORS® as Partner of the Year.
Presented at the Yakima REALTORS®’ annual awards and installation banquet on Friday night at the Red Lion Hotel in Yakima, the award honors the Commission’s free homebuyer education seminars, which have enabled hundreds of Yakima residents to buy their first home.
“When our selection committee saw this nomination from a member, they all agreed that this program is the perfect example of a strong partnership,” said Valerie Britt-Kalberg, executive of the Yakima Association of REALTORS®.
“By educating potential homebuyers, these classes help our members to assist more families throughout our community.”
The Housing Finance Commission trains real-estate and lending professionals throughout the state to offer the free, five-hour homebuyer seminars in their local areas. The classes not only give people vital information about the homebuying process, they are required in order to qualify for a lower-cost Commission home loan or downpayment assistance.
Over the last 31 years, 1,914 families in Yakima County have bought a home thanks to the Commission’s home-loan program—653 of them with downpayment assistance.
Qualified borrowers who earn less than $97,000 a year and meet lending standards, including an acceptable credit score, could be eligible for the program. Downpayment assistance is available in the form of a second, 0%-interest loan, payable over the 30-year life of the mortgage or whenever the home is sold.
Homebuyers can learn more or find a free class in their area by visiting www.wshfc.org/homebuyer. Classes are also available online for a $50 fee at www.ehomeamerica.org/wshfc.
“We are thrilled to be honored by the Yakima REALTORS,” said Lisa DeBrock, acting director of the Commission’s Homeownership division. “Our partnerships with real-estate professionals are incredibly valuable to us and we hope we can reach even more potential homebuyers in Yakima.”
####
The Washington State Housing Finance Commission is a publicly accountable, self-supporting team that works with lenders, investors, developers, nonprofit organizations and more to bring private investment dollars to benefit families and achieve public goals throughout Washington.
The Yakima Association of REALTORS and Multiple Listing Service, with about 350 Realtor and affiliate members, serves homebuyers throughout the Yakima Valley.
Contact: Margret Graham, WSHFC
206.454.9058
