THE RESULT: A NEW FIRST TIME HOMEOWNER!
NAREB proves once again that merging the Faith based & area residents of communities is a formula for catapulting African Americans “Black to the Future” with homeownership & generational wealth building!
Atlanta, GA – November 14, 2018 – On October 31, 2018, a beautiful, sunny, Fall day, Ms. Mikerra Weaver excitedly closed on and walked away with the keys to her very first home! She trusted the process, followed instructions, and came out as a homeowner at the end. But the first and most critical step took place on another bright and sunny day on Sunday, July 29, 2018, when leaders and members of The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), coordinated and executed by the local Atlanta chapter, The Empire Board of REALTISTS, and supported by its affiliate NID (NAREB Investment Division) held Community Wealth Building Day!
The new homeowner gave many kudos to NAREB members. Ms. Weaver said, “Especially the Atlanta team, we greatly appreciate you. They feel like family. And it was not only God’s doing, but the team’s caring and expert assistance. We appreciate them in Atlanta.” Ms. Weaver was one of 1,200 attendees, and one of the 500+ who took advanced steps by completing the intense and comprehensive counseling process in efforts to become mortgage and homeownership-ready. “Without them this process would be a lot harder. These people made it possible for me,” Ms. Weaver added.
The late summer event, which took place immediately following morning worship service, was held on the campus of Changing A Generation Church, pastored by Bishop Paul S. Morton, located at 3350 Greenbriar Parkway SW, Atlanta, GA 30332. Atlanta-area Black residents came together for a full day of education, information, celebration, food, fun for the entire family and more. NAREB and Empire Board members, comprised of real estate industry experts, housing counselors, credit experts, and mortgage lenders representing every aspect of the home buying process, were on hand to answer questions about the home buying process, obtaining a mortgage, student loan elimination & consolidation, foreclosure prevention, and investing in real estate. Attendees left knowing that home ownership is not only attainable, but desirable and beneficial.
Relationships were key to making this purchase a smooth transaction. Everyone who brought their homebuying expertise was an Empire Board member which included the home buying counselor, real estate agent, mortgage lender, insurance agent, down payment assistance administrator and the closing attorney. As Empire Board President Sharon Henry explained, “The reason why this particular transaction was so special, and why we wanted to document it was because all of the of the pieces of the puzzle came together and all of the members belong to NAREB and The Empire Board of REALTISTS.” The faith-based community completed the puzzle with Changing a Generation Church providing the venue. In this particular case, the home buyer (Ms. Weaver), is a long-time member of the ministry.
The Empire Board’s Chairwoman and ICDPA (Inclusive Communities Down Payment Assistance) resource provider, Michele Calloway, gave some insight into their program. “What we are able to do is fill the gap with some of the larger down payment assistance programs like Neighborhood Lift or Georgia Dream. Sometimes there is a gap for buyers that would stop them from actually being able to get the home. Our program has been able to fill that gap, so we are looking for further support so that we can continue this program”
NAREB’s call for an expanded community of concern comes at a time when Black homeownership nationally stands at a rate of 41.7% compared to 73.1% for Non-Hispanic Whites “Black homeownership is the first and most essential step to build economic strength within our communities,” said NAREB National President, Jeffrey Hicks who is based in Atlanta, GA. The 71-year-old minority real estate trade association is actively collaborating with the faith-based community and other partners to hold Community Wealth Building Day events across the country to reach a goal of 2 Million New Black Homeowners in 5 Years (2MN5).
NAREB members are working diligently to create more successes like Ms. Weaver. For more information about The Empire Board’s programs, services, mission and initiatives call 404-755-5575.
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CONTACT:
Jill Forte-Jackson: Empire Board / 770-896-8723 / jill@lloydrochellellc.com
Joanne Williams: NAREB / 215.519.2831 / jlwilliams@barrington-associates.com
About NAREB:
The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) was formed in 1947 to secure the right to equal housing opportunities for all regardless of race, creed, or color. NAREB has 90 chapters located nationwide and publishes annually The State of Housing in Black America (SHIBA) Report. Visit www.nareb.com for more information. Or call 301-552-9340.
About the Empire Board of Realtists:
The Empire Board of REALTISTS is the Atlanta (GA) Chapter of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) the oldest minority, professional real estate trade organization in the country, founded in 1939. This organization was founded out of need, as African American real estate practitioners were not permitted membership into NAR (National Association of REALTORS). The goal of this organization is to “promote democracy in housing” through professionals in all areas of the real estate industry, to promote the meaningful exchange of ideas about our business, to identify and share the best tactics and strategies to serve our clientele.
We strive to create an environment where creativity flourishes in both the workplace and the marketplace. Our core objective is to secure the right to equal housing opportunities regardless of race, creed, or color. To service our target market, we ensure training and educational opportunities are available to our entire membership across the many disciplines we represent, providing certifications and special designations in many areas of interest. Our ability to professionally service our client base is the foundation by which we operate.
Learn more about the Empire Board at www.empireboard.com