Are you WHC?
Increasingly, housing costs in many areas are exceeding the financial reach of many low-to-moderate-wage earners, such as service-sector employees, entry-level staff and essential health personnel, as well as teachers, police and firefighters. Additionally, as many REALTORS® and lenders know, minorities and new immigrants often fall victim to discrimination and predatory lending practices. There are financial programs and tools that can help address the problem of affordability and you can learn about them. Develop your knowledge and expertise to serve this important and growing market by taking the steps to become WHC . Are you WHC ?
Workforce Housing Certified (WHC) REALTORS® are specially trained to receive customer inquiries on workforce and affordable housing finance programs for selected jurisdictions. Earning this NEW certification requires completion of the following classes in any sequence:
- CreditSmart™ (6 hours - no CE), taught by Freddie Mac certified trainers, is a “Training for Trainers” program with a comprehensive curriculum that will prepare you to educate consumers about getting and maintaining good credit, credit scoring and money management towards achieving their financial goals. Any priorCreditSmart™ certification is counted toward WHC.
- Bridging the Gap between Availability and Affordability (2 hours CE - Professional Enhancement), taught by WHC REALTORS®, lenders or mortgage brokers, is designed to give practical information about financial products and eligibility standards that may help challenged or first-time homebuyers.
- State and Local Programs (2 hours - CE Professional Enhancement), taught by WHC REALTORS®, directors of local financing programs and/or staff from the Maryland Department of Housing & Community Development, provides fundamentals about state & local programs available for low/no downpayment, closing cost grants, extended term mortgages, as well as other tax credits, plus local government resources for homeownership education and counseling. (Some content may vary by jurisdiction.) Includes instruction on how to best utilize the website www.MDhomeprograms.
- Federal Programs and National Initiatives (2 hours - CE Professional Enhancement) includes information on programs and new regulations for HUD/FHA, Veteran's Administration, Rural Housing, as well as national private sector loan/guaranty programs, taught by secondary market reps and lenders.
Upon completion of the classes, there is no exam and there are no MAR charges or fees for the WHC certification. (PLEASE NOTE: There may be some materials or facility costs associated with certain classes and locations.)
After completing the required classes, your name will be placed on a revolving referral list on the www.MDhomeprograms.com website, based on your preferred business location. The first name on the top of the list is always changing. WHC REALTORS® may choose to be listed for up to 3 jurisdictions. You will also be able to promote your new certification on your business cards, personal website, etc.
WHC REALTORS® are also invited to join the Workforce Housing Certification Group on LinkedIn to stay current with updates and news about relevant loan programs and credit tips.
The WHC certification is not affilated with or endorsed by the National Association of REALTORS®.
After the WHC certification is obtained, it is good for two years. All certificates expire on either July 1 or January 1, whichever date immediately follows the two-year anniversary date of certification. Renewal is simple: (1) Re-take the classes entitled State and Local Programs and Federal Programs and National Initiatives; (2) Provide evidence that you assisted the purchase of a home, utilizing any of the programs offered on the website, during the previous certification period.
Schedule of Classes
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
CreditSmart® ‘Train the Trainer’ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (No CE)
Maryland Association of REALTORS®
200 Harry S Truman Pkwy., Conference Room 1, Annapolis, MD 21401
Fee: $15, includes lunch
To register: kara.ardison@mdrealtor.org
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Bridging the Gap between Availability and Affordability 9:00 – 11:00 am (2.0 hrs. CE)
State and Local Programs 11:30 pm – 1:30 pm (2.0 hrs. CE)
Federal Programs and National Initiatives 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm (2.0 hrs. CE)
Maryland Association of REALTORS®
200 Harry S Truman Pkwy., Conference Room 1, Annapolis, MD 21401
Fee: $15, includes lunch
To register: kara.ardison@mdrealtor.org
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Employer Assisted Housing 9:00 am – 12:00 noon (3 hrs., no CE)
This is a NAR class and is being offered as an elective under the WHC program.
Maryland Association of REALTORS®
200 Harry S Truman Pkwy., Conference Room 1, Annapolis, MD 21401
Fee: $10
To register: kara.ardison@mdrealtor.org
Monday, June 21, 2010
CreditSmart® ‘Train the Trainer’ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (No CE)
Greater Baltimore Board of REALTORS®
1306 Bellona Ave., Lutherville, MD 21093
Fee: $15, includes lunch
To register: jenifer@gbbr.org
Thursday, July 8, 2010
CreditSmart® ‘Train the Trainer’ 9:00 am – 4:00 pm (No CE)
Hagerstown Community College, 11400 Robinwood Dr., Hagerstown, MD 21742
Fee: TBD
To register, contact: pmrar@mris.com
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Bridging the Gap between Availability and Affordability 9:00 – 11:00 am (2.0 hrs. CE)
State and Local Programs 11:30 pm – 1:30 pm (2.0 hrs. CE)
Federal Programs and National Initiatives 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm (2.0 hrs. CE)
Hagerstown Community College, 11400 Robinwood Dr., Hagerstown, MD 21742
Fee: TBD
To register, contact: pmrar@mris.com
ALSO AT THE MAR 2009 ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND TRADESHOW
Roland E. Powell Convention Center, 4001 Coastal Hwy., Ocean City, MD
Monday, September 13, 2010 8:30 am – 5:15 pm
CreditSmart® ‘Train the Trainer’
Tuesday, September 14, 2010 9:00 am – 11:00 pm
Maximizing Financing Strategies for Buyers
(2 hrs. CE Professional Enhancement, subject to MREC approval)
This is a pilot class and may be used in place of either State or Federal Programs classes toward WHC or renewal.
COMING! Freddie Mac's Web-Based Training Series for New CreditSmart® Instructors
You must register for each session!
Six-Part Series on Wednesdays from May 5 Through June 9, 2010
Session 1: Series Introduction and CreditSmart Overview
Wednesday, May 5 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET
Module Covered: 1
Register here.
Session 2: Money Management Basics
Wednesday, May 12 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET
Modules Covered: 2, 3, 4
Register here.
Session 3: Understanding Credit and Credit Scoring
Wednesday, May 19 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET
Modules Covered: 5, 6
Register here.
Session 4: Maintaining and Restoring Your Credit
Wednesday, May 26 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET
Modules Covered: 5, 8, 9
Register here.
Session 5: Preparing for Homeownership and Avoiding Foreclosure
Wednesday, June 2 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET
Modules Covered: 7, 11, 12
Register here.
Session 6: Series Wrap-Up, Action Planning, & Resources/Support
Wednesday, June 9 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET
Module Covered: 10
Register here.
More classes are currently being scheduled at locations around the state!
Please check back!