02/06/2025
It was my honor and privelege to be the 2024 Chairperson for the Tri-County Suburban REALTORS® Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee. I am very proud of the work this Committee has done over the years. In 2024 we set a lofty goal to help bridge the gap in education around the home buying process. Consumer friendly information on how to get started and the steps involved was the goal. I personally want to thank the entire Committee, the Staff at Tri-County Suburban REALTORS®, and our Workgroup Chairperson, Shawn Marie Freeman for their dedication to achieving this goal. Knowledge is power. This is one small step toward empowering consumers so they can confidently start the process of homeownership! Check it out!
Tri-County Suburban REALTORS® Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee Launches Resource Initiative to Empower Homebuyers: Navigating the Home-Buying Journey
https://tcsr.realtor/homebuyingjourney/
The Tri-County Suburban REALTORS® Diversity and Inclusion Committee has officially launched an initiative of member-created resources to foster equitable and inclusive change in the real estate industry. Recognizing the challenges faced by marginalized homebuyers due to the complexities of the home-buying process, the Committee has developed a comprehensive guide to simplify and demystify the journey to homeownership.
This new initiative provides consumers with tools to navigate the home-buying process confidently. Through concise, user-friendly resources and informative videos, the guide breaks the process into seven manageable steps, starting with pre-approval. Each step is designed to empower prospective buyers with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions and work effectively with a skilled buyer’s agent who is a REALTOR®.
Theresa Kehler, the 2024 Chairperson of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, emphasized the importance of bridging the attainability gap in real estate.
“In Diversity and Inclusion conversations, we often focus on housing affordability, which can be addressed through financial assistance programs. However, overcoming the attainability gap requires confidence built on knowledge—knowledge that is not readily available to everyone,” said Kehler. “This initiative is about providing consumer-facing education to empower all individuals to take meaningful steps toward homeownership.”
Navigating the Home Buying Journey: An Introduction
Creating a Path to Confidence
The project was spearheaded by a dedicated work group led by Shawn Marie Freeman, Chairperson of the Consumer-Facing Education workgroup.
“Buying a home can be intimidating, especially for first-time buyers,” Freeman shared. “Our challenge was to put ourselves in the shoes of consumers navigating the real estate transaction for the first time. By breaking the process into actionable steps, we hope to make the journey less overwhelming and more accessible for everyone.”
The resources are designed to serve as a starting point for crucial conversations between consumers and their trusted REALTOR® buyer agents. Each guide provides practical, actionable insights while emphasizing the importance of professional guidance throughout the process.
Accessing the Guide: For Consumers
Consumers can explore the seven-step guide by visiting the Tri-County Suburban REALTORS® website, where they will find the library of videos, and a website page summaries for each step, as well as video explanations to see the process in action.
The Committee invites prospective buyers to begin their journey with Step 1: Pre-Approval or to jump into any step that aligns with their current needs.
A Guide for Future Home Owners & First Time Buyers Tri-County Suburban REALTORS® Diversity and Inclusion Committee is charged with creating opportunities for equitable and inclusive change in real estate. Recognizing that the complexities of the home buying process adds yet another layer of obstacl...
