I want to mention a fabulous seminar I attended Sept. 1. The name of the seminar was “Million Dollar Community Challenge — Infusing local communities with federal funds — One homeowner at a time.” The class was held at the newly built and renovated Burien Library (now located in the Burien City Hall).

I was curious and a little skeptical of the class especially with that kind of title. Yet I went ahead and attended. I had not previously signed up for the class, yet I was welcomed with open arms by the instructors. The four presenters comprised four different segments within real estate: Phil Ross (branch manager with Prospect Mortgage), Julio Diaz Jr. (Realtor with Prudential Northwest), Devin Stubblefield (with the Urban League of Seattle) and Ryan Kidd (certified public accountant and partner at HarrisKidd).

The seminar lasted (only) one hour and was very, very informative. Subject matters included the role of a Realtor, tax implications of the $8,000 federal tax credit, state-sponsored housing programs to help first-time homebuyers and the loan qualification process. The attendees and I were fascinated by the instructors’ show of interest, their knowledge, their passion for educating, their funny drawings and the simplistic manner in which their delivery and their materials broached and answered questions for such a complex matter: the $8,000 federal tax credit money for first-time homebuyers. These gentlemen really were a delight.

All of us walked out knowing when the funds began, why they began, how they could be utilized, what benefits are there to buying a home now, the process, the criteria and the exceptional down-payment assistance programs. The most amazing thing we all felt was: they (the presenters) genuinely cared about us learning and understanding the process. Their unanimous concern: our fully understanding so as to enter a transaction with knowledge and confidence. As you know, most classes or seminars one attends, we have a dollar sign on our foreheads. This is the kind of education the community needs. So many qualified homebuyers do not take the step toward home ownership for many reason, including lack of upfront information, fear/intimidation of the process, limited professional acquaintances — this seminar does it all.

I highly recommend anyone to attend anyone of their classes when they occur next. Highly worth the time and it is free.

Lourdes Sampera-Tsukada

President Opening Latino Doors, LLC, Bothell