Rhonda Patterson found herself a little closer to her dream Thursday.
A single mom of two boys, the 38-year-old Columbus native has long dreamed of building a home on a lot she owns in the city.
But until Thursday, Patterson admits she really didn’t know much about how to turn that dream into reality.
Patterson was one of a group of 20-to-25 would-be homeowners who turned out for the Columbus Housing Authority’s inaugural Columbus-Lowndes Housing American Initiative at the Trotter Convention Center.
Over the course of four hours, Patterson listened attentively to the five scheduled speakers as well as visited with the approximately 20 specialists who operated booths to provide information and answer questions from prospective homeowners.
“Oh, I really learned so much,” Patterson said. “There was just so much information and so much I didn’t know about. This was a new experience for me since I’ve never been a homeowner. I wasn’t really sure I could do it, but by the end of the day I was really encouraged. I feel like I can do this.”
The day’s five featured speakers addressed topics ranging from what makes someone a good candidate for a home loan to steps in applying for a home loan, downpayment options and programs, how the home-buying process works and tips on building credit and avoiding credit pitfalls.
Information booths covered a broad array of topics — from titles, homeowner insurance, credit repair and mortgage lenders to state and federal programs that offer home-buying assistance to low-income people.
BancorpSouth, the event’s primary sponsor, provided three of the speakers, including Stacy Carroll White, a mortgage loan officer who broke down the loan application process.
“I thought it was really awesome to see people here who are seeking information about the resources that are available,” White said. “There are so many options and programs out there, and you wonder sometimes if the people who can benefit from these programs ever get the word. So I think this was a great program.”
White said she has participated in other similar informational sessions.
“I did an event in Tupelo and the next day I had two people who had attended come in and apply for a loan,” White said. “Both of those people qualified and are homeowners today. That’s what I really try to convey: Get over your fears and come apply because you really don’t know until somebody checks it out for you. You might not qualify at first, but a good loan officer will help you develop a way to where you can buy a house down the road.”
Debra Taylor, director of the CHA, said she was pleased with how the program went.
“I think it was a good start,” she said. “We would like to have had more people come out, but we feel like the people who did come will tell their friends and family.”
For her part, Patterson said the four hours she invested in the program is a big step toward her dream.
“I was able to get some really good information,” she said. “I feel like I can really get started now. So I’m really excited.”
Slim Smith is a columnist and feature writer for The Dispatch. His email address is [email protected].
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