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Did you know the term "REALTOR®" is a registered trademark of the National Association of REALTORS®? Not everyone who holds a real estate license can call themselves a REALTOR®. The term may only be used by individuals who are members of the National Association of REALTORS® and subscribe to its Code of Ethics.
There is help available to educate buyers about the process before, during and after purchasing a home! Keys To Homeownership is a program that teaches the first-time buyer money and credit management, how to work with a REALTOR®, how to think like a lender, the closing process, available grant money and how to maintain your new home, among other topics. This is a great opportunity for first-time buyers and complies with many grant obligations for acquiring pre-purchase education. Attendees will also receive a workbook to keep and a certificate of completion. To register call METEC at 309.676.3832. The cost is just $25.00 for an individual or $40.00 for a couple.
The City of Peoria, through its Department of Planning and Growth Management, has reopened the Down Payment Assistance (DPA)
Program as of Tuesday, January 19th, 2010. The City received an unprecedented response and closed the program on Tuesday, January 21
after filling the 15 eligible application spots. City staff attributes the overwhelming interest in the program to increased marketing
and the extension of the Federal tax credit (of up to $8,000) for first time homebuyers or the long-time resident tax credit (of up to $6,500)
for individuals who do not qualify as first time homebuyers. Participation in the City's DPA Program does not preclude an individual
from receiving the tax credit.
The DPA Program provides up to 20% of the purchase price of a property, with a
maximum amount of $10,000, to income-eligible homeowners. The program is available city-wide to first time homeowners. Special
priority and emphasis is given to the Glen Oak School Neighborhood Impact Zone for non first time homebuyers who purchase within
the Zone.
This is the first series of application intake for the DPA Program in 2010. The 15 new applications will be funded with remaining 2009
grant funds. It is anticipated that the City will reopen the program in March/April 2010 upon receiving the 2010 HUD entitlement grant.
Interested individuals are being instructed to call back in March/April to receive an update regarding application submissions.
For additional information contact Nicole Frederick, Grants Coordinator at 494-8606 or nfrederick@ci.peoria.il.us.
This market wide campaign is designed to create awareness and educate both potential sellers and buyers on the importance and advantages of the professional services of a REALTOR®. It also educates the public, and creates a meaningful awareness of a more defining term: "UNREPRESENTED." The goal is to market this term so it will become more prominent than the "branded" term For Sale By Owner (FSBO), which is so widely recognized and accepted in the marketplace.