New Website Helps Oregon Home Buyers

CORVALLIS, Ore., Aug. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Home buyers in the state of Oregon can now access online home buyer education classes and support through HomeSmartOregon.org, a new website designed to guide consumers through the home buying process. The website is intended to help home buyers learn about budgeting, saving, down payment assistance programs and safe financing options through online home buyer education classes and in-person coaching from Regional Housing Centers located throughout the state.

HomeSmart Oregon is a recently formed collaborative of nonprofit Oregon housing agencies that are leading the statewide effort to increase Oregon home ownership and reduce future foreclosure rates. The idea is to connect with home buyers before they start the process of looking for a home. By providing online pre-purchase education, HomeSmart Oregon is working to help home buyers understand their options and work within their personal budgets to make informed and unbiased decisions about one of the biggest investments they will ever make.

"Our goal is to make the American dream of home ownership a reality for more people in Oregon," said Brigetta Olson, deputy director for Willamette Neighborhood Housing Services. "We have five of the state's most experienced housing agencies championing this effort together."  

According to Olson, pre-purchase home buyer education should be the first step for anyone thinking about buying a home.

"We want to help people become successful long-term home owners by giving them the knowledge and tools they need to make informed home buying decisions," said Olson. "Taking a home buyer class, either online or in person, can make them eligible for down payment assistance programs and help them access better financing options."

HomeSmart Oregon is the official licensed eHome America provider for the state and includes founding partners Willamette Neighborhood Housing Services, Portland Housing Center, HomeSource of NeighborImpact, NeighborWorks Umpqua, and NEDCO (Neighborhood Economic Development Corporation).

"We believe that HomeSmart Oregon will reach people who otherwise might not take advantage of pre-purchase education," said Olson. "Currently, many Oregonians are not able to access home buyer classes for a variety of reasons, including challenges with scheduling, distance, travel, child care and language barriers. It is our hope that the convenience of online home buyer classes in both English and Spanish will increase knowledge and home ownership throughout the state."

For more information, visit http://homesmartoregon.org or call 800.403.0957.

SOURCE HomeSmart Oregon