Macon Magazine

Company assists first-time buyers in homebuying process

By Lisa Pritchard Mayfield

Buying a home can be a daunting experience, particularly in today’s roller-coaster mortgage crisis atmosphere. But understanding the mortgage process can go a long way toward making individuals more comfortable with the procedure and the mortgage application itself. That’s where companies such as HomeFirst, of Macon, come in.

“What we’re doing, we see as an opportunity to help people gain home ownership properly,” said Reginald Bell, executive director of HomeFirst. “Through HomeFirst, they’re getting educated on home ownership and the mortgage system, and gaining guidance through the process, which is especially helpful if they’ve never bought a home before.”

A nonprofit agency created to provide local residents with homebuyer education services and programs; HomeFirst is funded by a Department of Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant that is appropriated through the city of Macon’s Economic and Community Development Department. Through this relationship, HomeFirst is able to obtain support from other local, state and federal organizations committed to making homeownership feasible and  affordable.

“Macon is unique in that we have a city administration that is interested in turning around the state of city housing,’ Bell explained. “But predatory lenders have stymied that, to some extent, and put families at risk for foreclosure. It doesn’t matter what your income or education levels are, you can be duped. We are committed to supporting our community and ensuring that homeownership is a reality for all residents, regardless of any demographics.”

HomeFirst also assists its clients with housing issues related to leases and landlords and recently has seen a large percentage of customers with foreclosures. “Clients should seek assistance earlier in the game, before the problem comes to the point of foreclosure,’ Bell said. “In many cases, foreclosure could have been avoided.”

To find out some of HomeFirst’s tips for first-time buyers, subscribe to Macon Magazine for home delivery, buy the June/July issue at a local store or pick up the latest issue of Midstate Home Improvement at a store near you..