CAMBRIDGE — In an effort to boost home ownership rates in the City of Cambridge, presenters at the recent COACH Day debunked myths that often overshadow the home purchasing process. The free event was held in the city to encourage residents to consider purchasing a home of their own. Attendees were provided with resources and details about financing opportunities, demonstrating that with some effort and planning, buying a home is obtainable. Local realtors presented a variety of available homes for sale in the city, tagging market conditions now as a “great buyer’s opportunity.”

In addition to a substantial inventory, various financing opportunities for Cambridge exist, and are easy to access. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) representatives presented information about Maryland Mortgage Program and the state’s down payment assistance program, noting Dorchester County is a federally-designated priority area for increasing homeownership. With this designation, income guidelines, first-time home buyer requirements, and purchasing limits are less restrictive for Cambridge. In providing welcoming remarks, Mayor Victoria Jackson Stanley remarked, “The message for today is where there is a will, there is a way. Just take the first step and know there are people in the community who can provide you with resources and support.”

Representatives from 1880 Bank, Habitat for Humanity Choptank, Maryland DHCD, Oyster Mortgage Company, Provident State Bank, Talbot Bank, and United States Department of Agriculture are optimistic about the COACH attendees and their enthusiasm towards potentially purchasing a home.  In addition, real estate agents from the Mid-Shore Board of Realtors connected with potential buyers as they explained the importance and ease of using a “Buyer’s agent,” noting that their services are at no cost to the buyers. Information from Cambridge’s Façade Improvement Program, Delmarva Community Services Housing Consultation, and Delmarva Power offered potential buyers additional resources that will strengthen their transition and success as a homeowner.

Sponsors of COACH Day, a workshop in support of ‘Community Outreach for Attainable Cambridge Housing,’ are encouraged about the possibility of balancing the ratio of renter vs. homeowners in Cambridge.  Organizers are planning a fourth COACH Day workshop to be held in 2015.

For additional information visitwww.choosecambridge.com, e-mail ced@choosecambridge.com or, call 410-221-6074.