2004 HOUSING EXPO VS

THE 2004 HOUSING EXPO TOOK PLACE SUNDAY AT THE SALINAS COMMUNITY CENTER. ABOUT A THOUSAND POTENTIAL HOME BUYERS, AS WELL AS REPRESENTATIVES OF 30 BANKS, LOAN FIRMS AND HOUSING AGENCIES CAME TOGETHER TO EXPLORE AVENUES OF THE HOME-BUYING PROCESS. THE AVERAGE HOME IN THE MONTEREY BAY-AREA COSTS ABOUT $575,000, AND ONLY 11 PERCENT OF HOUSEHOLDS CAN AFFORD TO LIVE IN THAT AVERAGE HOUSE. SINCE EAGER HOMEBUYERS CAN FALL VICTIM TO PREDATORY LENDERS, THE EXPO HELPED THEM UNDERSTAND 2 IMPORTANT 1ST STEPS IN THE PROCESS, WHICH ARE: TALKING TO LENDERS AND UNDERSTANDING THEIR CREDIT. THOSE STEPS CAN HELP GUARD AGAINST THE BUYER ENDING UP IN A SITUATION THEY CAN'T AFFORD.