L.D. Housely, left, and Donna Darnes review seminar material at their Collegedale Crye-Leike Realtors office in preparation for their monthly homebuyers seminar series.With the economy starting to rebound and the housing market regaining value, many first- or second-time homebuyers are starting to consider purchasing a home.
Chattanooga Crye-Leike Realtors Donna Darnes and L.D. Housley are hosting a home buying seminar at the Hamilton Place El Meson location Thursday, Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m. to help prospective buyers achieve "the American dream."
"People think they need a perfect credit score [to buy a home] or need to put down at least $20,000, but it's just not the case," Darnes said. "Usually the score can be lower and, depending on the credit, there are loans available."
She said she hopes to put an end to homebuying myths through the general seminar, which will be repeated monthly on the fourth Thursday at the same time throughout 2013.
"This is really for anyone who is considering buying and doesn't know what to do or where to start," Darnes said of the new seminar series. "We'll be going over the steps needed to buy a home and help people get prepared before they get started looking for a home."
Since the housing market crash, thousands of homes have been foreclosed upon and many families have had to declare bankruptcy, two moves that could keep potential homeowners away from the market.
"A lot of people think if you've foreclosed or declared bankruptcy you can't buy a home for a long time," Darnes said. "But often the time is shorter than you think, and we can help you."
Mortgage loan officer Becca Pool with Mortgage Investors Group will be on hand to offer financial checking on the spot and to answer financing questions.
Darnes and Housley are both licensed in Tennessee and Georgia and their service area includes anywhere from Athens, Tenn., to Walker and Catoosa counties in Georgia.