seminar

press release

Homebuyer Seminar Series Helps Make The Dream of Buying A Home A Reality

San Carlos - Aug. 25, 2005 --Washington Mutual, one of the nation's leading home mortgage lenders, and Cashin Company, the Peninsula's premier residential real estate brokerage, have teamed up to offer Bay Area residents a seminar series on buying a home. Representatives from each organization will outline the key steps to becoming a homeowner and how to overcome the barriers of entry into the red-hot real estate market in the Bay Area.

"We just bought our first house and we couldn't be happier," said Mr. and Mrs. Szabo of Belmont, CA. "We had been thinking of buying a home for quite a while and just didn't know how to go about the process. After attending the seminar a couple of months ago, we learned so much about the housing market in the Bay Area. Thanks to the guidance and experience that Cashin Company and Washington Mutual provided, we now are proud home owners."

During the seminar, attendees will hear from Washington Mutual on a variety of topics relative to the financial side of buying a home including how to evaluate when to enter the market, how to qualify for a loan and how to pick the best loan program. Cashin Company will explain the steps involved in purchasing a home, provide an overview of the current real estate market and outline the available inventory in various price ranges.

• Who Should Attend: Anyone interested in learning about buying a home
• What: Free Seminar
• Where: 797 Redwood Shores Parkway Sandpiper Community Center, Redwood Shores, CA 94065
• When: September 10, 2005 at 10:00 AM until 12:30 PM
• RSVP: Ruth Ann Gardner at Washington Mutual 650-525-2255

In addition to demystifying the perception that a potential home owner needs an exorbitant amount of capital to break into the soaring housing market in the Bay Area, the seminar will address the most common questions associated with buying a home. Case studies also will be presented that illustrate how one can go from renting to becoming a first-time home owner.

"It comes as no surprise that people are hesitant about taking steps to purchase a home in this highly-competitive market," said Susan Goodrich, Cashin Company. "The Homebuyer Seminar Series is an educational forum designed to help Bay Area residents navigate through the intimidating process of buying a home. After attending the seminar, several families have already successfully purchased homes and we hope to provide a path for others to attain the same opportunity."

Statistics:
Washington Mutual finances one in ten homes in the U.S. (source: "Mortgage Originators" YTD 2004 Top 30 Originators List)

Last year, Washington Mutual funded more than $200 billion in home loans for individuals and families across the nation (source: Washington Mutual)

Susan was the perfect agent for us as first time homebuyers. We began this process nervous, naïve, and yearning for information to help us make the best decision for our biggest investment. Susan spent the time talking to us about what was most important in purchasing a home and how we prioritized all the aspects to consider in a home. She opened our eyes to considerations we never could think of on our own! As we began to look at homes, she would further educate us about what was acceptable and what was not. She spent the time talking us through disclosures and how to understand the paperwork involved. Most importantly, Susan has high standards with home purchasing that was passed on to us and she never forced a quick buy. Furthermore, she knew how to advise us financially so that we would be in the top group of offers to win. We are happy to say that during one of the peak periods of 2005, we bought a home we love and won the purchase amongst thirty-one other offers! Thanks Susan!

Amanda and Will Boyce