One of the African Leadership Group’s main goals is to help its members build generational wealth, and there’s no better way to accomplish this than by becoming a homeowner.
That’s why ALG runs regular, bimonthly workshops on homeownership. The workshops are staffed by experts in mortgage lending, credit repair, down payment assistance, among other important homeownership topics.
Laura Villalpando is a member of ALG’s Homeownership and Financial Committee. She works with Operation HOPE, a national nonprofit that helps better the financial fortunes of low-income people.
Laura said the homeownership workshops are intended to provide people with one-on-one counseling with experts, to make the dream of owning a home closer to a reality.
While owning a place to live may seem beyond people’s reach, especially in an era of soaring home prices and rising mortgage interest rates, Laura said it all depends on your perspective.
“I always tell people that you don’t have to start big. You don’t have to start with a mansion,” Laura said. “You can start with a small apartment. You can start with a small condo and move your way up. Maybe you will have that for the next two or three years, maybe five, and then when the economy stabilizes or the prices of homes go down, then you get to sell this one and buy another, or maybe they convert this one into an investment property.”
During the height of the pandemic, ALG held these workshops online. More recently, however, they have resumed being in-person at ALG’s offices, 10700 East Evans Avenue, in Aurora. The next workshop will be held Saturday, June 25, from 4-6 p.m.
Check back on the ALG website soon to register for this valuable workshop, which could help you realize your dream of homeownership.
