HOAP (Homeowner Outreach Assistance Program) Is on the Way

If you’re one of the millions of Americans who owe more on your mortgage than your home is worth – estimated to be more than one-third of all current homeowners – you’ll benefit greatly by attending the free Homeowner Outreach Assistant Program (HOAP) workshop at the Citrus Valley Association of Realtors in Glendora on Aug. 14.

“Today’s real estate market is complex, complicated and, frankly, intimidating,” said Jacob Swodeck, Director of Education for Partner First, which helps struggling homeowners better understand all of their home retention and pre-foreclosure options.

“Our vision for this free workshop and conference is that it will offer a safe and neutral place for distressed homeowners to go and listen to top experts who are working on situations like theirs every day,” Swodeck added. “Given all the changing laws and guidelines and all the conflicting information out there, it’s more important than ever that people get information that is accurate and reliable.”

In addition to Swodeck, other presenters at the workshop conference include:

Doug Minor, President of Easy Credit Relief, Inc., who will address how loan modifications, short sales, deeds in lieu and foreclosures differently affect consumer credit;

Chris Sorensen, President of the Homeowner Educational Learning Program (HELP), a leading nonprofit provider of homeowner and home buyer education; and

Art Freeman, a loan modification expert for Chase and a number of Chase mortgage subsidiaries.

The approximately three-hour plus format will allow homeowners time to share their particular case or loan package with a conference speaker during scheduled breakout sessions.

“The idea is not to have a bunch of talking heads,” Swodeck said. “Rather, our aim is to provide some sort of tangible relief for homeowners – actionable items that they can execute right away to begin improving their situation.”

Century 21 Marty Rodriguez, the conference sponsor, got involved precisely because homeowners and home buyers have so many questions in today’s atypical and unprecedented real estate market.

“Right now, people have more questions than answers or solutions, so we hope this conference will help balance things out a little more,” said Ed Rodriguez, Sales Manager, Century 21 Marty Rodriguez. “In this market, education is empowerment.”

Some of the questions that attendees can likely anticipate are:

·         Will I qualify for a loan modification?

·         What is a short sale?

·         What is a pre-foreclosure sale?

·         What is a strategic default?

·         How does a short sale or foreclosure affect my credit?

·         What are my tax consequences in a short sale or a foreclosure?

·         What is cash for keys?

·         What is a deed in lieu?

·         How can I stay in my home?

·         What special programs are available to help me buy a home today?

 The seminar runs from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. To reserve your seat at this special HOAP seminar, or for more information, please call Ed Rodriguez at either (909) 985-2114 or (626) 914-6637.

Seating is limited. The Citrus Valley Association of Realtors is located at 504 E. Route 66 in Glendora.