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But that picture is about to change with the announcement by the Latino Home Buyers Coalition—of which Chicago Title is a part—of the Home Buyers Seminar. This breakthrough event aimed at Latino homebuyers will be held Tuesday, March 18, 2008, from 6:00 until 7:30 pm at the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library located at 1736 Broadway, Toledo.
The seminar is being presented in conjunction with the launch of La Prensa’s new weekly real estate page, explains Marisol Ibarra, marketing representative and contributing columnist for La Prensa – and a founding member of the Coalition.
“This is a really good time to present the seminar because housing is priced right. There are first-time homebuyer programs and funds available. Our goal in being part of this seminar is to help you make home ownership a reality,” says Rinda.
“You can’t always believe all the doom and gloom stories and misconceptions you read in the general media. This is actually a very good time to buy a home. We’re happy to be able to spread some good news for a change,” he adds.
Rinda has the expertise to make that call. He has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry which includes stints in banking, mortgage lending, and the title business
“Many people in the community do have savings and substantial down payments. It is more affordable to own a home now than to rent. You get so many benefits including privacy and tax advantages. And there has not been much appreciation in home prices,” says Rinda.
“If you are just thinking about buying your first home, are ready to make an offer or are reentering the market after several years, this free, informational seminar welcomes you to join us. No one will be selling you anything,” promises Ibarra.
What can you expect to learn at the seminar? Among the issues to be addressed are:
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Finding the right home for the money you wish to spend;
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How to pay for your home;
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Why you need homeowner’s insurance and the different types that are available; and
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What do you need after your purchase?
On hand to answer those questions and more will be Jessica Hernández of Hernández Allstate Insurance Agency; Rubén Perales, mortgage loan officer from the State Bank & Trust Company; Eddie Campos, licensed realtor with ReMax Preferred Associates; Joel Salazar, personal finance representative with Allstate; Rosa Vásquez, Customer Service Manager for Chicago Title and Trust Insurance Company; and Ibarra.
“Our goal is informing people, and we hope to have more of these seminars. This is a community service for us and another example of how we can better serve the community. That’s why we chose the library in the heart of Toledo’s south barrio for our first seminar. We want to make it very accessible for everyone in the community who wants to attend,” Ibarra explains.
“We have the support of the Northwest Ohio Development Agency. The Fair Housing Center of Toledo reviewed our fliers, and they support us 100 percent. They said we are filling a need in the community that was not being met,” says Rinda.
“Neighborhood Housing Services and Adelante, Inc. will have counselors there. If someone has credit issues, they will be able to have a one-on-one with a qualified professional,” adds Rinda.
Adelante, Inc. has also been active in assisting home buyers.
But Ibarra promises it will also be a festive atmosphere for the entire family. “There will be light refreshments and someone who will watch after the kids of those attending. Everyone wins a door prize and we will be giving away a grand prize drawing for a $25 gas card.
“We have been meeting and planning this for quite a while. A lot of thought has gone into it,” says Ibarra.
“The overall idea is that this will be a comfortable surrounding with no pressure. We are a group of volunteer professionals who believe in making our community a viable and outstanding place to live, work and raise a family,” says Rinda.
“I am pleased to see this coordinate with the new weekly Latino real estate page in La Prensa,” he adds. “This is another viable sign of how the Latino market is emerging, and it provides those of us in the industry with the obvious answer of how to outreach to the Latino community.”
To register for the seminar, contact Marisol Ibarra at (419) 242-7744 or e-mail her at [email protected] . Or contact Rosa Vasquez at (419) 241-8195 or by e-mail at [email protected].
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