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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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

MAR 2009 Annual Conference and Tradeshow in Ocean City, Maryland
Monday, September 14, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009 (repeat)
Federal Programs and National Initiatives  9:00 - 11:00 am  (2.0 hrs. CE for Professional Enhancement)
Roland E. Powell Convention Center

Freddie Mac's Web-Based Training Series for New CreditSmart® Instructors

Six-Part Series From September 15 Through October 20
http://www.freddiemac.com/creditsmart/guide/training/webinar_915eng.html

• Session 1
  Tuesday, September 15, 11:00-12:30 a.m. ET
  Series Introduction and CreditSmart Overview
  Module Covered: 1
  Register here

• Session 2
  Tuesday, September 22, 11:00-12:30 a.m. ET
  Money Management Basics
  Modules Covered: 2, 3, 4
  Register here

• Session 3
  Tuesday, September 29, 11:00-12:30 a.m. ET
  Understanding Credit and Credit Scoring
  Modules Covered: 5, 6
  Register here

• Session 4
  Tuesday, October 6, 11:00-12:30 a.m. ET
  Maintaining and Restoring Your Credit
  Modules Covered: 5, 8, 9
  Register here

• Session 5
  Tuesday, October 13, 11:00-12:30 a.m. ET
  Preparing for Homeownership and Avoiding Foreclosure
  Modules Covered: 7, 11, 12
  Register here

• Session 6
  Tuesday, October 20, 11:00-12:30 a.m. ET
  Series Wrap-Up, Action Planning, & Resources/Support
  Modules Covered: 10
  Register here

More classes are currently being scheduled at locations around the state!

Please check back!