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For Immediate Release: NEW JERSEY REALTORS® CELEBRATE NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP MONTH(Edison, NJ) Owning a home is part of the American dream, a fact celebrated during National Homeownership Month each June. In New Jersey where the average price of an existing single-family home is approximately $376,400, this dream is unaffordable for many New Jersey residents. Throughout the month, the New Jersey Association of REALTORS® (NJAR®) will join with REALTORS® from across the country to help promote the benefits of homeownership and bring to light the challenges people deal with when trying to afford to purchase a home. "Homeownership is a cornerstone of a healthy and thriving community," said NJAR® 2008 President Drew Fishman, CRS. "Owning a home gives individuals a sense of security and helps them to build long-term wealth. The Garden State's high cost of living makes it difficult for many people to afford to purchase a home. That is why each year NJAR® uses National Homeownership Month as a platform to call attention to the things REALTORS® do to help people achieve their dream of homeownership." NJAR® members take an active role promoting homeownership opportunities by supporting programs and providing resources that help increase safe and affordable housing options for more New Jersey residents. Through its work with Homes for New Jersey, a nonpartisan coalition, NJAR® helps to promote the production, rehabilitation and preservation of homes in environmentally appropriate places. Together the coalition and REALTORS® work with lawmakers to improve public policies and encourage more efficient use of existing resources to provide more affordable homes to families and first-time buyers. Additionally, New Jersey REALTORS® work with the New Jersey Association of REALTORS® Housing Opportunity Foundation, Inc., (NJARHOF) to provide funding to organizations throughout the state that offer home buyer education, develop public awareness and create affordable homeownership options. As a is a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization that seeks to create greater homeownership opportunities, NJARHOF also offers a Housing Opportunity Resource Guide to help home buyers identify different housing programs in New Jersey. The guide is available at no cost and lists contact information for federal, state and local housing assistance programs and can be obtained at http://www.njar.com/about_njar/hof/horg/index.php. Everyone is encouraged to take a part in Homeownership Month by making a contribution to the Foundation. More information about NJARHOF and how to make donations may be found at http://www.njar.com/njarhof. "REALTORS® work hard every day to bring attention to the housing issues facing our communities," added Fishman. "We firmly believe safe and affordable housing is a necessity and must be accessible to everyone. National Homeownership Month is a great way to draw attention to the importance of providing more people with housing options." The New Jersey Association of REALTORS®, with approximately 53,000 REALTOR® and REALTOR-ASSOCIATE® members, is one of the largest trade organizations in the state. NJAR®'s membership is comprised of real estate professionals who subscribe to a strict code of ethics and are members of the national and local REALTOR® organizations. As the leading advocate for the real estate industry and private property rights in New Jersey, NJAR® is committed to protecting the dream of homeownership. For more information, please visit www.njar.com. # # #
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