‘Home-buying fair’ helps people navigate real estate market

Staff report

Anyone who wants to buy a home may want to attend the sixth annual Home Buying Fair sponsored by the Coastal Housing Partnership from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 6,  at The Fess Parker Doubletree in Santa Barbara.

Organizers said the fair brings a multitude of industry professionals all under one roof, “in a relaxed, no-pressure environment,” to answer questions about navigating the home-buying process in one of the country’s most expensive real estate markets.

It will provide valuable information, tools and resources to be a more informed homebuyer, regardless of whether the person attending is a first-time home buyer, move-up buyer, downsizing, or just beginning to think about buying a home, they added.

“Coastal Housing Partnership is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping employees realize their dream of homeownership.  Over the past years, we’ve helped over 10,000 local employees purchase homes on the Central Coast through home-buying education programs and benefits provided through a network of local real estate partners,” Executive Director Corby Gage said.

“Exhibitor booths provide the opportunity to easily and informally interview potential members of your potential home-buying team, including real estate agents, lenders, residential developers, escrow companies, and credit and financial service professionals. Local experts will present short home-buying education sessions throughout the day,” he added.

Admission is $5, but readers of Santa Ynez Valley Star may attend the Home Buying Fair at no charge by mentioning the SYV Star at the door, or by going to www.homebuyingfairs.org to RSVP.

The nonprofit Coastal Housing Partnership opened its doors 30 years ago in response to the high cost of housing in the region. As a partner with local employers, it helps employers attract and retain employees.

It has scheduled additional home-buying fairs for July 12 and Oct. 28

For more information, go to www.coastalhousing.org or www.homebuyingfairs.org.