New Port Richey 'Hometown Hero' Finds First Home, Thanks to Her Florida Realtor®

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Jul 12, 2010, 11:05 ET

ORLANDO, Fla., July 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Jenny Leigh Hodgins, a music teacher at Anclote Elementary School in New Port Richey, never thought she would be able to purchase her own home. But with the assistance of her local Realtor®, Hodgins was able to make her dream of homeownership come true.

"I love having my own house," said Hodgins, who closed on the $76,000 two-bedroom house in Embassy Hills in Pasco County in June. "It's a definite improvement to both my lifestyle and my finances. In fact, I'm paying $250 a month less for my mortgage than I was in rent."

Cynthia Armstrong, sales associate with Coldwell Banker F. I Grey & Son in New Port Richey, helped Hodgins find the home, which had been in foreclosure, then renovated by a local non-profit agency using funds from the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP). As a teacher, Hodgins qualified for downpayment assistance through an interest-free mortgage with no repayment for five years.

"Through this program, Jenny was able to purchase her first home with a new roof, air-conditioning, kitchen, and hurricane-resistant windows," said Armstrong. "It was a great opportunity for her to become a homeowner, and actually reduce her monthly payments."

To educate the public about the crucial need for workforce housing for teachers, police officers, firefighters, nurses and other vital providers of community services, Florida Realtors® has designated the week of July 11-17, 2010, as Florida Welcome Home Week – "Homes for Hometown Heroes."

"Realtors are on the frontlines of the state's housing market," says 2010 Florida Realtors President Wendell Davis, a broker with Watson Realty Corp. in Jacksonville. "We understand from personal experience that a lack of housing opportunities threatens the vitality and future of Florida's communities. Realtors in Florida are committed to helping make a difference for those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to own a home, especially in the areas where these 'Hometown Heroes' provide crucial services."

A lack of housing opportunities causes a ripple effect, according to industry experts. Community leaders across Florida are recognizing the link between workforce housing and the positive economic and social health of their communities. Affordable housing shortages close to work lead to longer commutes, traffic congestion, urban sprawl and limited services that degrade all residents' quality of life.

Florida Realtors®, formerly known as the Florida Association of Realtors®, serves as the voice for real estate in Florida. It provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to its 115,000 members in 67 boards/associations. Florida Realtors® Media Center website is available at http://media.floridarealtors.org.

SOURCE Florida Realtors