HomeFront courts cautious home buyers

By Joyce Kryszak

Buffalo, NY – A local housing advocacy group is reaching out to potential homeowners who have been soured by the recent housing bust.
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HomeFront in Buffalo has provided counseling for home buyers since the mid-seventies. The not-for-profit group's orientation seminars for home buyers had been one of its most popular educational programs. Then the floor fell out of the housing market.

Buffalo was not hurt nearly as badly as some areas of the country. But it was bad enough to make many first time home buyers a little skittish.

Daniel Bellgraph is grant and program administrator for HomeFront. He said that since late 2008 their attendance numbers at orientation seminars have dropped.

He said attendance is on the rise again. But he said those who do come quickly learn that it is not as easy as it once was to buy a home. Changes in regulations and a tighter loan market make it harder for home buyers. But he said their clients come in ready to do what they have to to repair their credit and become eligible home buyers.

And Bellgraph said that is good news for the agency too. Bellgraph said their educational funding took a hit when client numbers fell off. Bellgraph said those educational services are critical. He said people need to fully understand how big the the commitment is that they will be making.

"We like to promote home-ownership in general to revitalize the neighborhoods...but at the same time you have to have the sustainability...can they afford it in the long-run...or is it going to result in a foreclosure," said Bellgraph.

More information on the potential pitfalls of home buying, as well as the process and information on available grants will is available at the seminar. It will be held at the HomeFront offices on Delaware Avenue Wednesday night from 5:30 P.M. until 6:30 P.M.