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STEPS Toward Homeownership

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The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® STEPS Toward Homeownership addresses housing affordability from the perspective of financial literacy. Did you know over half of all renters in California thought you needed at least 20% down to purchase a home? The reality is there are programs available that enable a purchase with much lower down payments.  This program brings relevant information to our members about credit scores, financial planning, leveraging down payment resources and options for low to moderate income earners so that we can educate our buyers. The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® supports RESPONSIBLE Homeownership.

 


Where we’re STEPPIN’ to next:

STEPS Toward Homeownership virtually throughout CA

Date: April 3rd 2025
Time: 10 am - 12:45 pm
Location: Virtual Event

 

Financing the Dream of Homeownership

 

 

REGISTER HERE SOON!

 

The STEPS Toward Homeownership program has been reduced from an all day event into digestible sections providing resources for REALTORS® to educate renters, prospective first-time home buyers, clients who have had a prior foreclosure or short sale, and Baby Boomers interested in helping their children or grandchildren become responsible homeowners. Experts will share philosophies on:

  • Strategies for Financial Health
  • Trends in the Economic Environment
  • Engaging in the Process
  • Products for Success
  • Support from Beginning to End

What's in it for me?

Attendees will acquire financial literacy knowledge and strategies to bolster your referral pipelines in the local community and help prospective buyers with financing expectations, down payment assistant options, and FHA vs. conventional loan programs. In addition, we have focused on the REALTOR® view as well, to give reasonable understanding of how to stay involved, without taking on additional roles.

 
Topics:

.

Why Homeownership Matters & Overview of Today's Event

  • Welcome
  • Why Homeownership Matters
  • Economic Overview of the Market Today

REALTOR® Resource Guide 2024

Understanding Homeowner Needs, Setting Expectations for Sustainable Homeownership

  • Understanding & Communicating with Prospective Homebuyers
  • Success in Today's Market
  • True Cost of Homeownership
  • Set Expectations for Contacts, Timing, Loan Terms & Qualifications
    • FICO / Credit
    • Materials Needed to Obtain Lending
    • Budget Preparedness/True Cost of Homeownership
    • Available Partners - Lenders, Title, HUD Counselors & Escrow
    • Homebuyer Readiness Education

Financing the Deal - Putting it all Together (2 Sessions)

  • Basics & Advanced Lending Options
  • Different Levels of Knowledge with Available Products
  • Setting Expectations & Timelines
  • 2024 Changes, Loan Programs & Limits
  • Multi-Family vs. 2-4 unit Lending
  • Information about FHA, Conventional, Jumbo, and Special Loan Program
  • ADU and Alternative Lending Financing Options.

Leveraging Down Payment Assistance (DPA)

  • Available 2nd TD's (Zero Interest & Forgiven Loans)
  • Homebuyer Grants & Loan Programs
  • Occupational Assistance Programs
  • Program Availability & Low to Moderate AMI Limits

Presenting Your Value as a REALTOR® in Today's Marketplace

  • Key Elements of What You Provide - Elevator Pitch
  • Knowledge, Partners, Resources, Trusted Advisor, Communication, etc.

Taking the Next STEPS - WIIFM 

  • Closing Tips or Comments by Speakers
  • Resources
  • STEPS Toolkits Updates
  • Sustainable Homeownership
  • Education Materials & Homebuyer Training
  • Wrap it in a Bow

and then there was...

The BREAK-OUT Sessions - Q&A

  • Sponsored Breakouts
  • Answering those Burning Questions
  • More Detailed Resource Materials
 

Requesting Time or Assistance to Review a Scenario

For Direct One-On-One Assistance, Click Me!

 

Your STEPS Panelists: 

 


Megan Harris 
Golden State Finance Authority
[email protected]

Cynthia Leal
Cynthia Leal

Guild Mortgage
[email protected]


David Mendez, Affordable Lending Manager
Freddie Mac
[email protected]

Javier Rolon Golden1 300x300
Javier Rolon
Golden1 Credit Union Home Loan - Internal Production Manager
[email protected]

Faramarz Moeen-Ziai headshot
Faramarz (FM) Moeen-Ziai
CrossCountry Mortgage
[email protected]

Sara Sutachan
Molly Ellis
California Housing Finance Agency - Lending Services Manager
 
[email protected] 

Sean Moss
Sean Moss

Down Payment Resource
[email protected]

Rolanda Wilson
Rolanda Wilson
NID Housing Counseling Agency
[email protected]


Suchada Lerknant
Lending Manager Chase Home Loans
[email protected]

Abel Fregoso jr.
Abel Fregoso jr.
PRMG
[email protected]


Sara Sutachan, S.V.P. & Chief Strategist
CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®

Marc Farfel
Marc Farfel, Transaction Rescue Manager, Host
CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®
[email protected]

 

Requesting Time or Assistance to Review a Scenario

For Direct One-On-One Assistance, Click Me!

 

Please contact Marc Farfel at [email protected] for more information.

STEPS Toward Homeownership - Marketing Resources

To drive REALTOR® outreach to the STEPS Toward Homeownership Virtual Conference on December 6, 2023, C.A.R. has a variety of graphics and marketing materials available for you. Partner with us on providing key training and educational opportunities to members of your Association through email, online ads, social media, and mailings.

Social Media

STEPPIN' Toward Homeownership for all on your social media platforms!

Hashtags:
#HomeownershipExpert
#IAmAHomeownershipExpert
#STEPSTowardHomeownership

STEPS Toward Homeownership - 4"x4"   
[Click image to download]

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STEPS Toward Homeownership - 4"x4"

[Click image to download]
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STEPS Toward Homeownership - Instagram Story

[Click image to download] 
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Flyers/Handouts

STEPS Toward Homeownership Flyer
[Click image to download]

STEPS_Flyer_Edited_V3-01

STEPS_Flyer_Edited_V3-02

 

STEPS Toward Homeownership Customizable Flyer
[Click image to download]

STEPS_Flyer_Edited_V3-03

 

Banner Ads

STEPS Toward Homeownership Banner - 1280x400px
[Click image to download]
STEPS_1280x400-01

STEPS Toward Homeownership Banner - 1200x150px

[Click image to download]

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STEPS Toward Homeownership Banner - 1920x480px

[Click image to download]
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Thank you for your participation and attendance at our STEPS Toward Homeownership Virtual Conference; we hope you enjoyed the event and STEPPED away with learning something new.

Below, please find our REALTOR® Resource Guide, each individual panel, as well as a combined file of all the sessions.

The CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® Transaction Rescue™ is pleased to present:

STEPS Toward Homeownership Resources

  • STEPS to Financing the Dream of Homeownership | December 4th 2024 Webinar Replay Slides
  • STEPS To Financing the Dream of Homeownership | September 5th 2024 Webinar Replay Slides
  • STEPS To Financing the Dream of Homeownership | June 11th 2024 Webinar Replay Slides
  • STEPS To Financing the Dream of Homeownership | April 10th 2024 Webinar Replay Slides
  • STEPS To Financing the Dream of Homeownership | January 11th 2024 Slides
  • STEPS To Financing the Dream of Homeownership | December 6th 2023 Watch Here - Slides
  • STEPS To Financing the Dream of Homeownership | September 7th 2023 Watch the Recording - Slides
  • STEPS To Financing the Dream of Homeownership | June 21st 2023 Watch the Recording
  • STEPS To Financing the Dream of Homeownership | April 5th 2023 Watch Here - Slides
  • Deeper Dive into Affordability & Borrower Profiles - 7-20-23 Watch - Slides
  • Latest Lending, DPA and Financial Planning Slides (PDF)
  • Brief Description Video of STEPS
  • Panelists Contact List  (PDF)
  • 2024 REALTOR Resource Guide (English, Spanish
  • STEPS Toolkit  (PDF) To be Updated in 1st Quarter of 2023
  • 2023 Loan Limits    2024 Loan Limits
  • C.A.R’s Down Payment Assistance Program: FindDownPayment.car.org 
  • Transaction Rescue Webinars: car.org/FinWebinars
  • Transaction Rescue Assistance: Mortgage.car.org
  • Research and Economics Resources: Weekly Surveys | Market Data | County Stats
  • Sponsors Documents:
    • Golden State Finance Authority (GSFA) (Print)
    • Guild Mortgage Advantage Program Packet  Home Protection Program
    • California Housing Finance Agency (CalHFA)  (Print)
    • City National Bank
    • Down Payment Connect (Print)  
    • Freddie Mac - (Print)
    • Chase Home Loans (Print)
    • Golden1 Credit Union Home Loans (Print)

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