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Homeownership Opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions
Information about HOWNW.com, Homeownership Opportunities Certification, At Home With Diversity Certification, etc.
Q: What is HOWNW.com?
A: HOWNW.com is a public service homeownership website for consumers. HOWNW.com walks consumers through the home buying process and includes features such as loan programs, homeownership ABCs, avoiding foreclosure & rescue scams, homebuyer education/counseling, military financial/renovation/homeownership resources and multi-lingual website translations.
Q: Who can become a HOWNW.com Certified SpecialistTM?
A: A current Realtor® member of the Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors® (PMAR) who has achieved:
1. The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) At Home With Diversity Certification (AHWD); and
2. The PMAR Homeownership Opportunities Certification (H.O.C.).
Note: Members must have received their AHWD certification within the previous four years of their H.O.C. certification in order to be listed as a HOWNW.com Certified Specialist.
Q: What is the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) At Home With Diversity Certification Class (AHWD):
A: The At Home With Diversity® course is part of a comprehensive cultural diversity outreach program that helps the real estate community diversify their workplaces and improve the industry's ability to serve culturally diverse consumers. NAR and HUD undertook a joint effort in 1998 to certify real estate professionals who are trained regarding cultural diversity and outreach and have made a commitment to a set of diversity principles. The training, built on the letter and spirit of the Fair Housing Act, provides participants with tools to build diversity outreach into their business plans to best serve a dynamic and growing market.
Q: Who can take AHWD offered through the Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors® (PMAR)?
A: Anyone! See specifics and benefits below*.
PMAR Realtor® Member
- Take this class for just $99.00
- Attain an NAR AHWD Certification
- Receive six (6) Oregon continuing education credit hours
PMAR Affiliate Member
- Take this class for just $99.00
Non-PMAR Member Realtor®
- Take this class for just $149.00
- Attain NAR AHWD Certification
- Receive six (6) Oregon continuing education credit hours
General Public
- Audit this class for just $149.00
*Priority seating given to PMAR members.
Q: What is the PMAR Homeownership Opportunities Certification Class (H.O.C.) ?
A: The PMAR H.O.C. class was developed to enable PMAR Realtors® to address the buyer's concerns about homeownership affordability by knowing and understanding a broad range of financing mechanisms that may be able to assist the buyer. It was designed to provide practical, hands-on information to Realtors® about programs, products and eligibility standards that may help financially challenged or first-time homebuyers.
During the H.O.C. course, real experiences and class discussions illustrate proactive solutions that will enable participants to learn more about available financial resources that are most suitable for those who are first-time homebuyers or who may marginally qualify for conventional products to purchase a home within the Portland metropolitan region.
Q: Who can take the Portland Metropolitan Association of Realtors®' Homeownership Opportunities Certification (H.O.C.) education program offered by PMAR?
A: Anyone! See specifics and benefits below*:
PMAR Realtor® Member
- Take this class for just $99.00
- Attain a two-year PMAR H.O.C. Certification
- Receive five (5) Oregon continuing education credit hours
PMAR Affiliate Member
- Take this class for just $99.00
- Attain a two-year PMAR H.O.C. Certification
Non-PMAR Member Realtors®
- Take this class for just $149.00
- Receive five (5) Oregon continuing education credit hours
General Public
- Audit this class for just $149.00
*Priority seating given to PMAR members.
Q: When are the next classes being offered?
A: At Home With Diversity and Homeownership Opportunities Certification will be offered October 25th and 26th.
