FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
"HOMEBUYING 101" - A Free Conference for Consumers
Columbia, SC…..The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA) will sponsor Homebuying 101: Building the Foundation for Your American Dream on Wednesday, June 27. Consumers looking to buy a home as well as business professionals in the industry are encouraged to attend this one-day workshop. The workshop is free and will be held at the Brookland Banquet and Conference Center in West Columbia. Lunch will be provided.
"Homebuying 101 is an excellent opportunity for consumers to learn the importance of homeownership, the role of the lender, financial and household budgeting techniques, credit issues and the analysis of the credit report in the homebuying process. This seminar will also share tips to prevent consumers from becoming victims of mortgage fraud. According to a recent Mortgage Asset Research Institute (MARI) report, South Carolina continues to show significant improvement in reducing mortgage fraud, moving from # 1 in the nation in 2001 to # 22 in 2006," said SCDCA administrator Brandolyn Thomas Pinkston.
Prior to a panel discussion on government sponsored homebuying products and services, concurrent sessions will allow consumers to choose two of three presentations to attend. In "Credit Reports, Scoring and More" Donna DeMichael, Director of Consumer Services and Education at the Department, will share how to obtain your free credit report, how to read your credit report, what makes up a credit score and other valuable information. "Credit Counseling in 2007," presented by staff attorney Carri Grube, will discuss what debt managers, credit repair companies and debt settlement companies can and cannot do under the Consumer Credit Counseling Act. She will also discuss steps consumers can take to improve their credit files. The third session being offered, "Mortgage Workshop," presented by staff attorney Charles Knight, will take consumers through the many forms surrounding a home mortgage, including the application, Truth in Lending form and broker fee agreement. Additionally, the session will cover mortgage products and how to detect and defend against mortgage fraud.
The schedule of events, workshop details and registration forms are available at www.scconsumer.gov by clicking on "Homebuying 101." Space is limited, and advance registration is required. For more information, contact the Public Information Division at 803.734.4190, toll free in SC at 1.800.922.1594.
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