Come to the Housing Fair!

Prospective buyers and homeowners will want to attend the Capital Region Housing Fair on Saturday, April 28th from 10 am-2 pm at the Albany Public Library, 161 Washington Avenue in Albany. 

Featured will be dozens of information booths including:

• Non-profit housing groups like TRIP
• Lenders
• Attorneys
• Housing inspectors
• Real estate agents
• Free Credit Reports
• Free Consultations

Seminars will be held on topics such as:

• How to hire a contractor
• How to finance your home

Fair-goers can learn about new programs:

• How to make your home more comfortable while saving money and the environment

With foreclosures continuing to wreak havoc on families and neighborhoods, participants having trouble with their mortgages can meet with an experienced lawyer or housing counselor for a free consultation about their situation. Also, representatives from Bank of America and Fannie Mae will be available to meet with borrowers and discuss loan options.

One of the most popular features of last year's fair, the free credit reports, will be available this year too. Just bring a photo ID and obtain a free credit report and a credit consultation.

Sponsors include the HomeSave Coalition, Albany Public Library, M&T Bank, NBT Bank, Bank of America, SONYMA, First Niagara, IAR Attorneys at Law, Community Realty, Metroland, and SEFCU.

All are welcome! Door prizes will be drawn throughout the day. More details at http://www.ahphome.org/ or call (518) 434-1730.

Thinking of Purchasing a Home?

Maybe you don't know where to start. Maybe you looked at homes in the past but for some reason put your search on hold. Maybe you don't think you will qualify for a mortgage. Maybe your "bad" credit isn't as bad as you think, or can be improved with a little direction. Maybe you don't have all the answers, or even know any of the questions.

TRIP's HomeOwnership Center can help answer some of your questions, and help you to generate more of your own.

Some good starting questions to ask yourself are:

What am I waiting for? A bill to be paid? Prices of houses to come down? Credit problems? Do I have enough money saved? How does the home buying process work?

How soon are you looking to purchase? 3 months? 1 year? 2 years?

What geographic area would you like to purchase a home? City of Troy, outside of Troy, outside of Rensselaer County?

Am I eligible for grant assistance? What does that mean?

TRIP offers counseling and education to potential home buyers regardless of income and geographic location.

What's your first step?
Attending a Homebuyer Orientation! At our orientation, we go over our programs, so you will better understand the qualifications and requirements for our down payment assistance programs as well as what's involved in the home buying process.

Check our Calendar of Events for the next scheduled Orientation!

Then contact the HomeOwnership Center at 690-0020 x221 or e-mail register@triponline.org with questions or to register.

And then what?
After attending a Homebuyer Orientation, you will need to schedule a one-on-one appointment with one of our counselors. At this appointment, you will be able to get an assessment of your mortgage readiness. This can include but is not limited to:

• approximately how much of a mortgage will a bank approve you for based on income;
• how much would that monthly mortgage payment be and how that fits with your monthly budget;
• would a bank approve you for a mortgage based on your credit history and current debts;
• are you income eligible for any down payment assistance;

Contact the HomeOwnership Center at 690-0020 or e-mail register@triponline.org with questions or to sign up for the next Homebuyer Orientation.