Housing Resources celebrates NeighborWorks Week and National Home Ownership Month
Press Release
June 2, 2010
Informational open house to focus on loan modification scams
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (June 2, 2010) – Housing Resources celebrates the 27th year of NeighborWorks Week and National Home Ownership Month with a free open house Saturday, June 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will take place at their offices, located at 524 30 Rd in the Plaza del Sol. Housing Resources is a non-profit organization providing affordable housing and promoting the wise and sustainable use of resources.
Housing Resources is using NeighborWorks’ campaign – Loan Modification Scams - as the focus for this year’s open house. NeighborWorks is a national non-profit organization comprised of national and local partners that create and offer opportunities for residents to improve their communities.
“Loan modification scams are running rampant,” Jon Lindman, Housing Resources housing counseling director, said. “Every day scam artists prey on unsuspecting homeowners who are facing foreclosure, and we want to be sure folks know how to spot a scam.”
Lindman points out six ways to spot loan modification scams, including:
Asking for a fee in advance to modify, refinance or reinstate your mortgage
Guaranteeing that they can stop a foreclosure to get your loan modified
Advising you to stop paying your mortgage company and to pay them instead
Pressuring you to sign over the deed to your home or sign any paperwork you haven’t read or don’t fully understand
Claiming to offer “government-approved” or “official government” loan modifications
Asking you to release personal financial information online or over the phone
In addition to the valuable information regarding loan modification scams, Housing Resources will also offer information regarding:
Affordable home ownership through the USDA Mutual Self-Help “sweat equity” Housing program
Creating an energy efficient home
Energy Star benefits and their importance to your home
The Governor’s Energy Office Home Weatherization Program
Colorado Home Rehabilitation Program
“We are excited to share information with the public about all of these worthwhile programs,” Lindman said. “We also look forward to the public sharing their concerns with us so we can better help them understand how they, too, may afford and maintain their home. Stop by, have a light lunch on us, and take home lots of great information.”
About Housing Resources
The mission of Housing Resources, a 501(c)(3) private non-profit corporation, is to provide affordable housing and to promote the wise and sustainable use of resources. Housing Resources offers pre-purchase and post-purchase educational services, other housing counseling services, opportunities for community revitalization, and the provision of quality, safe, affordable housing for those with low and moderate income.
