GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado — There’s no doubt about it, this economy can seem a bit daunting for those wanting to buy or sell a home.

Linda M. McKinley, registered mortgage advisor, admitted that readily. She also stressed just how much she wants to help.

Along with the Glenwood Springs Association of Realtors Affiliate Council, McKinley is one of the driving forces behind two upcoming homeownership fairs. She described the free events as “round robin” affairs, where attendees rotate from room to room and listen to speakers discuss a myriad of real estate-related topics. The first will take place from 6-9 p.m. Thursday at Glenwood Springs High School, while the second is slated for 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 3, at the firehouse in Rifle. In McKinley’s words, “Just about everything that somebody would want to know” will be the center of the two fairs.

“It’s info-packed,” she said. “It’s really neat that we have so many professionals in our valley that are all coming together to give information.”

As she sees it, this education is vital for anyone looking to jump into the real estate market. This world is full of information, she explained, but so much of it is bad. This is a way for local Realtors and lenders to set the record straight.

Each talk will last 30 minutes, with 15 minutes then allotted for questions and 15 more minutes given between lectures. Attendees will have their choice of 10 talks with topics such as home inspections, credit scores, “green” building, foreclosures and more. Representatives from national businesses, such as Wells Fargo Mortgage and RE/MAX, will be on-hand, as will local firms, like Village Homes, Mason Morse Real Estate and Commonwealth Title Co.

While the event doesn’t cost a dime for attendees, speakers do pay. Money generated will go toward the Colorado Association of Realtors Housing Opportunity Foundation. More commonly known as CARHOF, the foundation sets aside interest from participating brokers’ escrow accounts and uses it to promote affordable housing in Colorado.

It’s not that McKinley wants people to attend every single workshop, she said. She simply hopes they walk away knowing something new, something helpful. She would love consumers to understand the basics of buying and selling, the importance of good credit, the advantages of working with a Realtor. When that kind of information is out there, everyone benefits, she explained. As a financial advisor, it also makes her job a whole lot easier.

“I’m really passionate about what I do,” she said. “I think this is just educating people and helping people accomplish their goals.”

Hopefully, she went on, these fairs are only the beginning of many such events to come.

Contact Stina Sieg: 384-9111
ssieg@postindependent.com




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