Freddie Mac Looking to Boost Sales of REO Properties

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Freddie Mac has launched a new effort to train real estate agents to stabilize communities by preserving property values in order effectively boost sales of its HomeSteps properties.   

The Certified Community Stabilization Expert program, designed for HomeSteps by San Diego-based Community Asset Solutions, is an eight-hour online course teaching brokers the latest lessons for selling REO homes, maintaining home prices, and revitalizing communities that were hit hard during the foreclosure crisis.

The CCSE program curriculum is designed to help real estate professionals work more effectively with nonprofits and local governments to take advantage of public initiatives for maintaining properties, and create new outreach efforts for owner occupant buyers, especially low- and moderate-income homebuyers.

“The new CCSE certification program distills the REO sales and community preservation lessons of the past four years to give HomeSteps brokers a practical guide for boosting REO sales and stabilizing communities,” says Chris Bowden, senior vice president of HomeSteps. “CCSE shows how Freddie Mac can help foster new homeownership opportunities and manage its inventory of REO homes responsibly.”

Through the third quarter of 2013, Freddie Mac’s single-family REO inventory is 47,119.

Real estate professionals in eight states, including California, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington can receive six hours of continuing education credit if they participate in the CCSE program. Brokers and vendors of HomeSteps, the real estate sales unit of Freddie Mac, are the first in the marketplace to have access to the CCSE program.

 “CAS is excited to work with HomeSteps on this ground-breaking program to give listing brokers the proper tools necessary to create neighborhood stabilization solutions and help turn an unfortunate situation into a positive outcome for communities throughout the country,” said Gary Acosta, co-CEO of Community Asset Solutions.

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