HOMEOWNERSHIP IS STILL THE BEST WAY TO BUILD WEALTH FOR BLACK AMERICANS

National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) sponsors Community Wealth Building Day to help Washington, DC metro area Black residents take first steps toward homeownership

Washington, DC – March 24, 2017 – The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), in concert with their national affiliate, NID-Housing Counseling Agency(NID) and the trade group’s local chapter, the Prince George’s County Chapter of NAREB are offering Black Americans, a one-day opportunity to learn what it takes to build wealth through homeownership. The Community Wealth Building Day is free, open to all residents of the Washington metro area and is scheduled for Saturday, April 8, 2017, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., at the Southern Regional Technology & Recreation Complex, 7007 Bock Road, Fort Washington, MD 20744.

“Black Americans have sent their children to college, built businesses and stabilized neighborhoods through homeownership. But many Black Americans have lost faith in the long-term value of homeownership. We are here to encourage Black Americans to re-think and reconsider their economic outlook. Homeownership is still possible and desirable. It represents the best way to build wealth now and into the future. There’s simply no comparison between owning and renting. Ownership builds wealth. Renting increases someone else’s bank account,” said Ron Cooper, president of NAREB formed 70 years ago to ensure that Black Americans secured the right to equal housing opportunities.

The Prince George’s County Community Wealth Building Day is planned to answer consumers’ questions about the home buying process and how to get ready to buy. NAREB has assembled real estate industry experts that include local Realtists; public and private sector housing finance executives; mortgage lending professionals; legal and insurance experts; housing counselors, and community development partners to be a part of the event. Collectively, they can help Washington metro area residents understand the process, mortgage financing options, and available down payment assistance opportunities. The first 75 people to register will receive a complimentary credit report and an expert assessment.

The Community Wealth Building Day is the culminating event of NAREB’S three-day 2017 Mid-Winter Regional Conferences being held in four hub cities. The Prince George’s County event is the third of the 4-part series and is followed by Cleveland, OH (April 20-22). The two earlier events were held in Las Vegas, NV in mid-February and Charlotte, NC in early March. Corporate partners sponsoring and participating in NAREB’s consumer home buying event include Bank of America, BBVA Compass, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, to name a few. Recently, NAREB announced its 2 Million New Black Homeowners in 5 Years initiative of which Community Wealth Building Day is a part.

“NAREB is committed to consumer education. We want to make sure that Black Americans have accurate information before they enter the home buying process, probably the most expensive purchase of their lives,” said Ron Cooper,

The free-of-charge event and includes prizes, opportunities to speak to real estate and mortgage experts and lunch with dynamic lunchtime speaker Bishop Craig Worsham, senior pastor, People’s Independent Church of Christ in Los Angeles, CA. To register, visit: https://cwb-prince-georges-county.eventbrite.com.

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Contact: Joanne Williams ● 202.364.0024 ● 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 bi-annually The State of Housing in Black America (SHIBA) Report. Visit www.nareb.com for more information.