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Housing fair is coming Saturday

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By Samantha Sommer, Staff Writer Updated 6:18 AM Thursday, March 18, 2010

The Springfield/Clark County Housing Fair this weekend promises to be a one-stop shop for all housing questions for everyone from renters to buyers to current homeowners.

“It really has something to offer for almost anybody,” said Nancy Flinchbaugh, president of the Clark County Fair Housing Board.

The free housing fair is set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 20, at the Elderly United Pitzer Center, 101 S. Fountain Ave. It is organized by the fair housing board and the city of Springfield. Door prizes and snacks will be available. Several booths will be set up representing real estate agents and lenders.

Agencies such as Habitat for Humanity, Neighborhood Housing Partnership, Legal Aid of Western Ohio and Credit Counseling Service/Graceworks also will be there.

Several short classes are scheduled for both tenants and homeowners or buyers.

For tenants, the workshops will cover getting along with landlords, financial fitness, knowing your rights, subsidized housing options and moving beyond payday lending into banking.

For homebuyers or owners, the courses will address buying a Habitat home, how to buy houses, loans, homebuyer counseling and self-sufficiency, preventing foreclosure and home repairs.

The goal is to educate consumers, Flinchbaugh said, especially as the tax credits available make it a great time to buy a home.

An $8,000 credit is available for first-time buyers, as is a $6,500 credit for current owners buying a new house.

Education in all phases — from renting to buying a home to maintaining it — is key as housing is essential for a stable community, Flinchbaugh said.

And often, consumers aren’t aware of the resources and tools available to them, she said.