Today there are young people in this country who can't live where they grew up. There are people who can't live where they work. Instead, they must commute great distances because they're priced out of the market and there's a lack of decent affordable housing.
At risk are not just the indigent and working poor. Our nation's teachers, firefighters and municipal workers now are among those with the most critical housing needs. Fewer and fewer can live where they work.
This is a big problem. REALTORS® didn't cause it, but we're in a position to help solve it. We see the face of this problem every day when buyers come to us for help.
To that end, the Columbus Board of REALTORS® has an active Affordable Housing Committee that strives to keep REALTORS® abreast of affordable housing programs and opportunities. The Committee has identified affordable housing as properties priced $125,000 and below. Following are programs in place that help us address the affordable housing market in the Columbus area.
Resources
Affordable Housing Finance Programs
The Affordable Housing Committee has put together a compilation of downpayment and special financing programs available for buyers and sellers in the greater Columbus area. The compilation includes a brief description of each program and contact information.
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Affordable Housing Roundtables
Affordable Housing Roundtables are an important education and marketing tool for REALTORS® who regularly list and sell affordable housing. The roundtables features industry experts speaking on a variety of affordable housing topics including, bond money, downpayment assistance programs, 203k rehab financing, community initiatives, credit scoring, the appraisal process, real estate investment, FHA/VA financing programs, etc. They also provide a forum for discussing buyer and seller needs, as well as a vehicle for showcasing affordable listings. Click here to find the next Affordable Housing Roundtable. Meetings are held the second Friday each month at 11:00 a.m. to noon at the CBR Membership Headquarters. There is no cost to attend and reservations are not required.
Click here to find the next roundtable date and topic.
Cooperative Ventures for Consumer Services
This is the committee's vehicle for participating in outside affordable housing activities.
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Certified Affordable Housing Realtor® Certification
The Columbus Board of REALTORS® Affordable Housing Committee has created a Certified Affordable Housing REALTORS® (CAHR) certification program to recognize those REALTORS® who have committed their time and obtained experience in working the affordable housing market.
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Affordable Housing Continuing Education
CBR provides several education classes throughout the year to educate REALTORS® on affordable housing issues, programs, financing, etc. Below are descriptions of the education programs offered through CBR.
Click here to find when one of the following courses is offered next.
Train-the-Trainer: How to Present An Affordable Housing Home Buyers Seminar
Train-the-Trainer program that is an association-standard Affordable Housing Home Buyers Seminar Course designed to teach Realtors® how to present an Affordable Housing Seminar to the public. The course includes a comprehensive training manual that gives a step-by-step guide in conducting a home buyers seminar. The manual contains information on planning and preparing for the seminar, an instructor's guide, a seminar outline, a financing information sheet, participant's handouts, sample recruitment letters, sample press release and PSAs, sample promotional flier and ads, a set of overheads and a copy of the Affordable Housing Manual.
Bidding on HUD Homes Course
This course will discuss how a property becomes government owned, how to locate available HUD-owned properties, the sale type status determined by FHA, the required documentation for sales contracts, the earnest money deposits policy, electronic bidding process for HUD owned properties and closing of HUD-owned properties.
Downpayment Assistance Course
This course features a detailed discussion of the most commonly used Downpayment Assistance programs available in the market, providing information on programs from the city of Columbus, Fannie Mae, Homes On The Hill, Columbus Neighborhood Housing Services and the Futures Home Assistance (a program similar to Nehemiah and AmeriDream) program.
Affordable Housing Finance Course
The Affordable Housing Finance course features an informative discussion of the following topics: Pre-approval vs. Pre-qualification; closing cost; Predatory Lending; Credit and Credit Scoring; Downpayment Assistance; 100% Financing Options; FHA/VA, Bond Money; Rehab Loans; 203K and Conventional loans; Land Contract and Lease Purchase; Non-Conforming Loans; Appraisal; FHA vs. Conventional adnthe 203k Rehab Appraisal, and Insurance (Mortgage vs. Title Insurance, Homeowners and Mortgage Life Insurance).