BMO and Sapphire Marketing Inc. recently partnered to host a two-part homeownership workshop series in the High Desert. The workshops were designed to educate the community about the path to homeowner-ship, financial empowerment, and building generational wealth through homeownership.
Both workshops were attended by interested first-time homebuyers, as well as those looking for a second home and potential investors. Those in attendance gained valuable information on the homebuying process, including how to qualify, credit information, pre-qualification, and pre-approval information. Ashlynn Drayton-Johnson, BMO Mortgage Banker Expert, delivered the presentation for the second workshop. Her presentation was very thorough. She discussed what the homebuyer will be expected to cover during the closing costs process and how escrow works. Drayton-Johnson also covered the many products and services BMO has to offer, including the BMO downpayment assistance program.
After the presentation, Drayton-Johnson engaged in a detailed Q&A session to answer many of the questions for the attendees. It was a back-and-forth conversation that provided a wealth of information that was appreciated by both BMO and those in attendance. The attendees included a diverse crowd of High Desert residents, as well as many people from nearby communities, including San Bernardino, Rialto, and Fontana. Some in attendance came from as far as San Dimas and Irwindale to hear about the BMO down payment assistance program and other products and services.
“I attended both workshops and gained a lot of information from both workshops,” said Korbin McCarthy, who is an interested first-time buyer. “Ashlynn’s presentation made the homebuying process seem a lot less intimidating. I especially like the checklist she had us put together,” he added. “Before this workshop, I wasn’t very confident about the home buying process. After hearing Ashlynn’s and Ernesto’s presentation the week before, I realized homeownership is within reach. I’m actually ex-cited about the process,” McCarthy went on to say.
Many others in attendance shared McCarthy’s enthusiasm about the homeownership workshop. “These workshops were great. We need more types of information workshops like this. Our people need to know what’s available to them,” said Bill Thomas, past President of the High Desert NAACP.
Many attendees came into the workshop thinking homeownership was not a real possibility. After hearing the presentations, along with the down payment assistance program, they left realizing that homeowner-ship is within reach.
“I’m excited for the partnership Sapphire Marketing Inc. has with BMO. I’m looking forward to hosting additional workshops for BMO, including basic financial literacy workshops and small business workshops,” said Willie Ellison, CEO of Sapphire Marketing Inc. “The community responded well, and they are excited about more engagement and information,” he added.
BMO has dedicated a $30 billion investment in the California market and communities of color. They are taking a proactive approach in attempting to close the racial homeownership gap. BMO is actively working with communities of color to discuss and host homeownership workshops and other financial literacy workshops.
