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 and Using www.MDhomeprograms (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.)
- 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, PLUS training from WHC REALTORS® on how to best utilize the website.
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.
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 class entitled State and Local Programs and (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
Thursday, April 10, 2008
CreditSmart™ 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Location: The Greater Salisbury Chamber of Commerce, 144 E. Main St., Salisbury, MD.
Sponsored by the Coastal Association of REALTORS®
To register, contact Cindy Canigiani at 410-208-6944.
Class size is limited to 30 attendees.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Bridging the Gap From Availability to Affordability 9:00 - 11:00 am
State and Local Programs 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Federal Programs and National Initiatives 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Location: The Greater Salisbury Chamber of Commerce, 144 E. Main St., Salisbury, MD.
Sponsored by the Coastal Association of REALTORS®
To register, contact Cindy Canigiani at 410-208-6944.
Class size is limited to 30 attendees.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
CreditSmart™ 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Location: Keller Williams’ office, 9701 Apollo Dr., Suite 102, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
Sponsored jointly by MAR and the national Association of Real Estate Brokers (Prince George’s Co. Chpt.)
To register, email emerickpeace@kw.com .
Class size is limited.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Bridging the Gap From Availability to Affordability 9:00 - 11:00 am
State and Local Programs 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Federal Programs and National Initiatives 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Location: Keller Williams’ office, 9701 Apollo Dr., Suite 102, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
Sponsored jointly by MAR and the national Association of Real Estate Brokers (Prince George’s Co. Chpt.)
To register, email emerickpeace@kw.com .
Class size is limited.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
CreditSmart™ 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Location: Anne Arundel County Association of REALTORS®, 555 Benfield Rd., Severna Park, MD 21146
To register, contact Jill Byer at 410-544-4554.
Class size is limited to 55 attendees.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Bridging the Gap From Availability to Affordability 9:00 - 11:00 am
State and Local Programs 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Federal Programs and National Initiatives 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Location: Anne Arundel County Association of REALTORS®, 555 Benfield Rd., Severna Park, MD 21146
To register, contact Jill Byer at 410-544-4554.
Class size is limited to 55 attendees.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
CreditSmart™ 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Location: Oakland Mills Interfaith Center, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia, MD 21045
Sponsored by Howard County Association of REALTORS®
To register, contact 410-715-1437.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Bridging the Gap From Availability to Affordability 9:00 - 11:00 am
State and Local Programs 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Federal Programs and National Initiatives 2:00 - 4:00 pm
Location: Oakland Mills Interfaith Center, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia, MD 21045
Sponsored by Howard County Association of REALTORS®
To register, contact 410-715-1437.
More classes are currently being scheduled!
Please check back!