Real Estate in RI: Ready, Set, Own. Pathway to Homeownership workshop

Free, First-Time Homebuyer Workshop to be Held on June 17 – BankRI and PCF Development partner to host virtual session during National Homeownership Month

June is National Homeownership Month, and to help educate future homeowners, Bank Rhode Island (BankRI) and Pawtucket Central Falls Development (PCF Development) will host a free, virtual workshop for first-time buyers on Tuesday, June 17.

Titled “Ready, Set, Own: Your Pathway to Homeownership,” the class will be held live on Zoom beginning at 6 p.m. The 60-minute session will be led by industry experts from BankRI and PCF Development. While there is no cost to attend, participants are asked to pre-register online or by contacting Dianny Melusky at dmelusky@pcfdevelopment.org. 

“Every family deserves to have the opportunity to own their home and to enjoy the benefits that come with it, from contributing to their financial stability to building lifelong memories,” said Will Tsonos, President and CEO of BankRI. “But for many first-time buyers, the path to homeownership can feel overwhelming, which is why it’s so important to us to provide education and support to our community.”

The June 17 workshop will provide attendees with insights on the essential steps to purchasing a home, whether they’re in the beginning stages of their journey or further along. Specific topics to be covered include understanding mortgage basics and shopping for a mortgage, affordability, debt to income ratio, credit, and the closing process. 

During the session, attendees will learn from BankRI mortgage specialists Stephanie Silva and Kathy Galipeau, both of whom have extensive experience in residential lending; and Dianny Melusky, PCF Development’s Director of Homeownership and a HUD-Certified Housing Counselor. 

Questions about the June 17 workshop may be directed to Dianny Melusky at (401) 726-1173 ext. 12, or dmelusky@pcfdevelopment.org. PCF Development is a nonprofit community development organization that has built more than 400 affordable rental and home ownership homes throughout Rhode Island.