Best-selling author donates homebuying guide to support Nonprofit Housing Counseling Agencies

Denver, CO — June 1, 2007 The foreclosure crisis continues to plague homeowners across the country, and Colorado is its epicenter. Denver author Taffy Wagner, D.Min, knows an educated consumer is far less likely to fall into foreclosure. That’s why she’s donating 400 copies of her best-selling guide, “Homebuyer’s Helper,” to Denver-area and other nonprofit housing organizations, just in time for National Homeownership Month.

“Homeownership is a cornerstone of the American dream, but for too many people, it’s turned into a nightmare,” Wagner said. “If consumers are educated with practical information, they can make wise decisions that will strengthen their families and protect their investments.”

The free books will arrive at nonprofit organizations like Brothers Redevelopment and Northeast Denver Housing Association in time for National Homeownership Month, which runs through June. Since 2002, President Bush has designated June National Homeownership Month. His goal is to increase minority homeownership to 5.5 million by 2010.

The gifts are both timely and appreciated, said Zachary Urban, Director of Housing Counseling for Brothers Redevelopment.

“Dr. Wagner’s book is full of good advice in language that’s easy to understand. It will be a valuable tool in our ongoing efforts to help people keep their homes and avoid foreclosure,” Urban said.

Wagner has followed the foreclosure crisis for months. She knows Colorado has maintained the highest foreclosure rates in the country for the past year. She also knows the state’s Foreclosure Prevention Hotline, which launched in October 2006, has been flooded with calls. During the first month of operation, more than 4,000 people called for help. In its first four months, the hotline received more than 10,000 calls. It’s just one way to measure the need for clear information to help consumers navigate the process, Wagner said.

“Whether a person is purchasing a home for the first time or coming out of foreclosure, my guide can help,” Wagner said. “The person in foreclosure needs to understand what the steps are in starting over. The person buying a home for the first time needs to know the ins and outs as well as the extraneous expenses beyond the initial cost of the home. If we properly prepare families for homeownership, we can turn this crisis around.”