Are you WHC?
Increasingly, housing costs in many areas are exceeding the financial reach of many low-to-moderate-wage earners, such as service-sector employees, entry-level staff and essential health personnel, as well as teachers, police and firefighters. Additionally, as many REALTORS® and lenders know, minorities and new immigrants often fall victim to discrimination and predatory lending practices. There are financial programs and tools that can help address the problem of affordability and you can learn about them. Develop your knowledge and expertise to serve this important and growing market by taking the steps to become WHC . Are you WHC ?
Workforce Housing Certified (WHC) REALTORS® are specially trained to receive customer inquiries on workforce and affordable housing finance programs for selected jurisdictions. Earning this NEW certification requires completion of the following classes in any sequence:
- CreditSmart™ (6 hours - no CE), taught by Freddie Mac certified trainers, is a “Training for Trainers” program with a comprehensive curriculum that will prepare you to educate consumers about getting and maintaining good credit, credit scoring and money management towards achieving their financial goals. Any priorCreditSmart™ certification is counted toward WHC.
- Bridging the Gap between Availability and Affordability (2 hours CE - Professional Enhancement), taught by WHC REALTORS®, lenders or mortgage brokers, is designed to give practical information about financial products and eligibility standards that may help challenged or first-time homebuyers.
- State and Local Programs (2 hours - CE Professional Enhancement), taught by WHC REALTORS®, directors of local financing programs and/or staff from the Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development, provides fundamentals about state & local programs available for low/no downpayment, closing cost grants, extended term mortgages, as well as other tax credits, plus local government resources for homeownership education and counseling. (Some content may vary by jurisdiction.) Includes instruction on how to best utilize the website www.MDhomeprograms.
- Federal Programs and National Initiatives (2 hours - CE Professional Enhancement) includes information on programs and new regulations for HUD/FHA, Veteran's Administration, Rural Housing, as well as national private sector loan/guaranty programs, taught by secondary market reps and lenders.
Upon completion of the classes, there is no exam and there are no MAR charges or fees for the WHC certification. (PLEASE NOTE: There may be some materials or facility costs associated with certain classes and locations.)
After completing the required classes, your name will be placed on a revolving referral list on the www.MDhomeprograms.com website, based on your preferred business location. The first name on the top of the list is always changing. WHC REALTORS® may choose to be listed for up to 3 jurisdictions. You will also be able to promote your new certification on your business cards, personal website, etc.
WHC REALTORS® are also invited to join the Workforce Housing Certification Group on LinkedIn to stay current with updates and news about relevant loan programs and credit tips.
After the WHC certification is obtained, it is good for two years. All certificates expire on either July 1 or January 1, whichever date immediately follows the two-year anniversary date of certification. Renewal is simple: (1) Re-take the classes entitled State and Local Programs and Federal Programs and National Initiatives; (2) Provide evidence that you assisted the purchase of a home, utilizing any of the programs offered on the website, during the previous certification period.
Schedule of Classes
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Credit Smart™ “Train the Trainer” 9:00 am – 3:30 pm $10.00 (box lunch provided)
(No CE, but course counts toward Workforce Housing Certification)
Harford County Association of REALTORS office, 2227 Old Emmorton Rd., #117, Bel Air 21015
To register, contact 410-569-0750
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Bridging the Gap From Availability to Affordability 1:30 – 3:30 pm (2.0 hrs. CE for Professional
Hampton Inn - Easton
Sponsored by the Mid Shore Board of REALTORS
To register, contact shirley@msbrmd.com or call 410-822-8767
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Bridging the Gap From Availability to Affordability 9:00 am – 11:00 am (2.0 hrs. CE for Professional Enhancement)
Harford County Association of REALTORS office, 2227 Old Emmorton Rd., #117, Bel Air 21015
To register, contact 410-569-0750
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
State and Local Programs 9:00 am – 11:00 am (2.0 hrs. CE for Professional Enhancement)
Federal Programs and National Initiatives 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm (2.0 hrs. CE for Professional Enhancement)
Harford County Association of REALTORS office, 2227 Old Emmorton Rd., #117, Bel Air 21015
To register, contact 410-569-0750
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Credit Smart™ “Train the Trainer” 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
(No CE, but course counts toward Workforce Housing Certification)
Fee TBA (lunch included)
Carroll Community College, 1601 washington Rd., Westminster, MD 21157
To register, contact Michelle May at 410-876-3530
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Bridging the Gap From Availability to Affordability 9:00 am – 11:00 am (2.0 hrs. CE for Professional Enhancement)
State and Local Programs 11:15 am – 1:30 pm (2.0 hrs. CE for Professional Enhancement)
Federal Programs and National Initiatives 1:45 pm – 3:45 pm (2.0 hrs. CE for Professional Enhancement)
Fee TBA (lunch included)
Carroll Community College, 1601 Washington Rd., Westminster , MD 21157
To register, contact Michelle May at 410-876-3530
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Credit Smart™ “Train the Trainer” 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
(No CE, but course counts toward Workforce Housing Certification)
Fee $10 (box lunch included)
GBBR, 1306 Bellona Ave., Lutherville, MD 21093
To register, go to http://www.gbbr.org/
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Bridging the Gap From Availability to Affordability 9:00 am – 11:00 am (2.0 hrs. CE for Professional Enhancement)
State and Local Programs 11:15 am – 1:45pm (2.0 hrs. CE for Professional Enhancement)
Federal Programs and National Initiatives 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm (2.0 hrs. CE for Professional Enhancement)
Fee $10 (box lunch included)
GBBR, 1306 Bellona Ave., Lutherville, MD 21093
To register, go to http://www.gbbr.org/
More classes are currently being scheduled at locations around the state!
Please check back!