JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 A life-changing event is happening this weekend in Jacksonville. Thousands of residents are expected to attend a three-day mortgage assistance event designed to help people become homeowners \u2014 even if they\u2019ve been denied elsewhere.<\/p>\n
The nonprofit Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA) is hosting its \u201cAchieve the Dream\u201d event at Edward Waters University. The organization is known for helping low- to moderate-income individuals secure homeownership through a no-cost, no-credit-score process.<\/p>\n
Bruce Marks, CEO of NACA, explained how their approach differs from traditional mortgage lenders.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo down payment, no closing costs, no fees \u2014 at a below-market fixed rate. Today\u2019s rate: 5.25% for a 30-year fixed. And we never consider anyone\u2019s credit score,\u201d Marks said.<\/p>\n
[DOWNLOAD: <\/b>Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks<\/b><\/a>]<\/b><\/p>\n One of the attendees who qualified for a mortgage on the spot was Jacksonville resident Kendra Traeye.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been renting for over 30 years,\u201d she said. \u201cThat just changed today. I was approved.\u201d<\/p>\n Traeye arrived at the event at 8 a.m. and was fully qualified for a mortgage by noon.<\/p>\n Her next step?<\/p>\n \u201cMove into my house. Success. Start a new life,\u201d Traeye added.<\/p>\n NACA said the response has been overwhelming.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have over 3,000 people who are registered to come over the three days,\u201d Marks said.<\/p>\n He explained that the entire process is designed to be completed in just one day. It includes four steps:<\/p>\n \u201cThe workshop \u2014 step one. They input their information and documents \u2014 step two. They met one-on-one with a NACA counselor \u2014 step three. Step four \u2014 met with a mortgage specialist to be qualified for the best mortgage in America,\u201d Marks said.<\/p>\n >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <\/b><\/a><\/p>\n And for those who qualify, the impact can be life-changing.<\/p>\n \u201cPeople have everything to gain and nothing to lose,\u201d said Marks.<\/p>\n For Kendra Traeye, it\u2019s more than just a financial win \u2014 it\u2019s a long-awaited dream finally coming true.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m a homeowner now,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n The \u201cAchieve the Dream\u201d event continues through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Edward Waters University\u2019s Adams-Jenkins Community Sports & Music Complex. Walk-ins are welcome, and attendees can also register in advance at NACA.com.<\/a><\/p>\n