Consumer Courses
Consumer Guides
Tuesday Mornings with Mildred
Why not starts
your week with an energetic presentation about housing issues that concern
you? We guarantee you’ll find the information timely, practical and easily
understood. You’ll have an opportunity to ask questions and leave with
valuable handouts.
1. Be Careful—Don’t Borrow Trouble
Predatory lending practices are a
contributing factor to the state’s high foreclosure rates. This 1 ½ hour
presentation is designed to give you enough knowledge to recognize the
characteristics and dangers of a predatory loan. You’ll see an excellent 18
minute film
“Don’t Be Scammed”. It shows lending tricks you should watch out for and
we’ll discuss the practices you should avoid. See you at the MOVIES!
2. Tax
Exemptions—What Are They and What They Do?
Many consumers have much higher tax bills
than they should have because they do not have the correct exemptions filed
on their home. There are five (5) exemptions: homestead, mortgage, old age,
veterans, and blind or disabled. All are designed to reduce the amount of
actual taxes you pay on your home. Each will be discussed in detail. Filing
is FREE and EASY. Let’s talk about how and where.
3.
Updating Your Paperwork
This 1 ½ hour program explains 5 forms you need to get updated: your will,
power of attorney, medical representative form, living will and insurance
policies. Seniors frequently delay getting these done because they don’t
want to think “about something happening”. The truth is “something is going
to happen” whether you are prepared or not.
Getting prepared increases the chances
that you will have things done in the WAY YOU WANT THEM DONE. Let your
family know, clearly, well in advance, what your wishes are concerning being
kept on life sustaining equipment which does not enhance your life. If you
have changed your mind about how you want your estate to be settled, put
that in writing. Show your kids you love them by making the settling of
your estate easier for them. GET PREPARED; LEARN HOW AT THIS NFORMATIVE
WORKSHOP. Sample forms provided.
4.
Let’s Talk About Reverse Mortgages
It’s a strange concept when the
bank MAILS YOU A CHECK EACH MONTH. But it is possible with a reverse
mortgage and it could be a good alternative to stretch your income IF you
are over 62 years of age and your home is paid for or nearly paid for.
Whether you take a lump sum payment, opt to receive monthly checks or decide
to get an account set up so you can get money “as you need it”, a reverse
mortgage could be just what the doctor ordered. Get the facts and then
decide. We encourage you to bring family members!
5.
Hospice Care made Simple
We
don’t talk about it much but we should. Hospice care if not just about
dying, It’s mostly about how you can live with dignity during the last few
months of your life. Whether you choose to stay at home or move to a
hospital or nursing home, the benefits of hospice care can be of valuable
service to you and your family. The resources, care and support which they
provide at this difficult time in life can bring immeasurable value. Learn
more. Bring a friend.
6.
Save $$$ With Regular Home Maintenance
Learn why $75.00 spent to clean your gutters (if you can’t do it
yourself) could save you thousands of $$$. How did their failure to have
their home inspected for termites cause sellers to lose the offer on their
home? We’ll discuss home maintenance tips you need to know now in order to
avoid costly repairs. Proper maintenance will increase enjoyment of your
home while maintaining its value.
TUESDAY
MORNING with MILDRED (TMwM)
Tuesday
Mornings with Mildred (TMwM) is a series of 6 specific programs, each 1 ½
hour in length. This series may be expanded based on needs that emerge from
the presentations themselves. These programs will be presented on-site at
National City branches but will also be frequently scheduled at other
locations in the community.
HOMEBUYER
BASICS
This consumer
program is designed as a 4-hour presentation but can be divided into 2
sessions or abbreviated into a 2-hour "touch the surface" meeting. It
covers all the basic things a buyer needs to understand from how do you get
a copy of your credit report, to understanding the difference between what
you may be told you can afford and a “comfortable” house payment, the
difference between a mortgage broker and a traditional lender, to
understanding agency relationships, details about contracts, need for an
independent inspection. I discuss replacement cost insurance coverage and
much more so that a consumer can make better housing choices from the
beginning.
SO
YOU’RE THINKING ABOUT BUILDING
This 2 ½
to 3 hour program covers the building basics: selecting a builder,
financing pitfalls, site selection, upgrades, necessity of understanding
blueprints, the impact of delayed taxes on the house payments and much, much
more. With foreclosures at an all time high, especially in newer
construction, it is critical that we make more of an effort to educate
consumers so they build smarter.
SAVING
OUR SUBDIVISIONS
This 2 – 3
hour program is presented in a Town Hall Format in cooperation with other
agencies that have direct connection to the problems faced in our
communities. Panel discussion format may be used with HOM as the moderator
with the audience primarily consumers seeking information and solutions or
HOM president may be the primary speaker. The “Saving our Subdivisions”
presentation is designed for a group comprised of mostly professionals to
inform them of the options available to prevent foreclosure when consumers
are in default.
PALM
(Practical Application of Loss Mitigation)
While designed for consumer benefit, the PALM
training is the only program in this series that is specifically geared for
a professional audience. Housing counselors, attorneys, Realtors and other
housing professionals who must deal with consumers in default on a regular
basis could benefit immensely from attending this training on loss
mitigation. The core of the training is 4 hours of material, followed by a
1-hour workshop with ample opportunity for interaction with other
professionals and case-specific questions and answers. The entire program,
8:30 until 3:30, will prove to be one of the most worthwhile trainings you
will ever attend if you work with consumers who are struggling to meet their
mortgage obligation. The training is approved by the Indiana Real Estate
Commission for 4 hours of Elective Credit and by the Secretary of State for
mortgage loan officers for 3.75 credit. Certificates of completion will be
issued for all attendees.
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