Marines

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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – Books and pamphlets cover a table at the ABC’s of Home Buying and Selling workshop hosted by Marine Corps Community Services’ Relocation Assistance Program at the Russell Marine and Family Service building aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Feb. recently. The workshop covers aspects such as the legal rights as far as what a buyer or seller can and cannot do, tips on home inspection and financial preparation. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pvt. Nik S. Phongsisattanak)::r::::n::

Photo by Pvt. Nik S. Phongsisattanak

Home buying, selling workshop offer tips for service members, families

24 Feb 2011 | Pvt. Nik S. Phongsisattanak Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

When it comes to buying or selling a home, there is a long checklist that people go through to ensure that they don’t end up with the short end of the stick.

The list of things one should review when buying or selling a home can be overwhelming and important details can be overlooked, which is why researching and taking informative workshops can be helpful. 

That is why service members and their families attended the ABC’s of Home Buying and Selling workshop hosted by Marine Corps Community Services’ Relocation Assistance Program at the Russell Marine and Family Service building aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, Feb. recently.

There are key points that someone selling a home should watch out for, but the most critical steps instead come with buying a home because the buyer is usually making more of a financial risk.

“Just being aware of the pitfalls that can be associated with buying is important,” said Steven Schmitz, a relocation specialist with MCCS. “Watch how people treat you because everyone is out to make a buck. I’m not saying they’re bad but they’re out there to make money.”

The workshop covers aspects such as the legal rights as far as what a buyer or seller can and cannot do. Another important subject the class touched on was making sure that buyers get the house inspected.

“A home inspection is very important because that’s something that will protect them once they buy the house and make sure that they know what the regulations are,” said Schmitz. 

Schmitz covered the first part of the class and answered the participants’ questions. Next was the financial portion, which Lewis Summerville Jr., a financial specialist with Personal Readiness and Community Support Branch, MCCS, taught.

Summerville tackles the subject on financial stability and thoroughly explains every detail to participants, especially if he is answering a question from someone in the class.

“It’s important that you understand everything,” said Summerville. “Because home buying is such a big decision, it’s good to have a plan and be well prepared so that you don’t end up making mistakes.”

After receiving the financial portion of the class, one participant said to Summerville, “You’ve deterred me from making the decision to buy a home.” Summerville replied, “No, I’m not trying to deter you. I’m trying to prepare you.”

This just shows that the people attending the workshop were gaining a better understanding of what they were getting into.

“(The workshop) was very informative and it covered a lot of stuff,” said Cpl. Noah R. Higginsrice, an automatic support system technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 26, Marine Aircraft Group 26, 2nd Marine Air Wing. “There were (subjects) that I didn’t really consider when it came to buying a house. I would recommend this class to anyone that’s planning on purchasing a home.”

For more information, call 449-9704 or 451-1055. To access information online go to www.mccslejeune.com/relo.