May 13 fair will focus on home ownership

EVERETT – A program focused on helping people buy their own homes will be offered May 13 by a consortium of businesses and nonprofit groups, including banks and Housing Hope.

The Snohomish County Home Ownership Fair will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Holiday Inn at Pacific Avenue and I-5 in Everett. It will include about 30 exhibitors, including real estate offices, mortgage companies and various community housing agencies.

Terry Quick, one of the organizers, said that one of the real estate companies will provide credit checks for a nominal fee.

In addition to the exhibitors, the fair will have four seminars running simultaneously from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The seminars will examine issues such as repairing credit, qualifying for special loan programs and getting a home inspection.

“It’s all about helping people who have never bought a home before understand what’s involved,” Quick said.

The fair will offer activities for children to allow parents to attend seminars. It will also have people who can answer questions in Spanish, Russian and Arabic as well as English. Anyone who wants to volunteer as a translator or to help with child activities should call Quick at 425-670-0888.

Quick said the fair is in its fourth year and is sponsored by the consortium of groups and businesses “that have a vested interest in making housing affordable in Snohomish County.”

The Boeing Co. and the U.S. Navy are among the backers of the fair, Quick said.

He suggested that even people who don’t believe they can qualify for a home loan should attend so they learn about exactly what is required.

“There are an amazing amount of loans that people can get involved in that they can actually afford,” Quick said.