The Path to Ownership: How to Become a Homeowner!

Dreaming of owning your own home? This video is your beginnerā€™s step-by-step guide to turn that dream into a reality! Hear directly from experienced REALTORSĀ® and lenders as they walk you through the home buying process ā€” from renting vs. owning, the mortgage process, and financing options, to the advantages and challenges of homeownership. This video wonā€™t cover everything, but itā€™s the perfect starting point to help kick off your home ownership journey! šŸŒŸĀ 

šŸ”‘Topics covered in this video include:Ā 
āœ”ļø Building Generational Wealth Through Homeownership
āœ”ļø Renting vs. Owning ā€“ Understand the advantages and disadvantages of both options
āœ”ļø Key Steps in the Mortgage Lending Process
āœ”ļø Financing Options Available
āœ”ļø A Roadmap Through the Home-Buying Journey ā€“ What to expect as you move through the process

Ready to take the next step?Ā CLICK HEREĀ to visit our directory to find a trusted REALTORĀ® and lender who can help you on your path to homeownership!

CLICK HERE for a glossary of common home buying terms and definitions.

A Spanish version of the video will also be released later in 2025, ensuring this valuable information is accessible to an even broader audience

Home Buying Guide

You Too, Can Be A Homeowner!

For many, homeownership is the basis of the American Dream. Homeownership continues to be one of the best ways to build wealth. It plays a vital role in building strong, stable communities. And, it helps to build local economies.

In times past, homeownership opportunities have been intentionally and strategically withheld from African Americans, Latino Americans, and other non-White people. This home-buying guide seeks to intentionally break the barrier and bring all within our community into the home-buying realm.

This is a home buying guide that includes step-by-step information for purchasing a home, financial education, and resources for those encountering discrimination. All of the answers to your questions may not be within the guide. This is a tool to help those seeking to purchase a home in their quest to achieve the American dream!

Find a Property

Resources

Helpful Resource Links

Code of Ethics

COMPLAINT ARBITRATION CHECKLIST

Please follow these guidelines:

  • Contact the Chief Executive Officer at the Battle Creek Association of REALTORSĀ® for the appropriate forms.
  • Ethics ā€“ Complete the ethics complaint form and provide a written explanation that includes the facts on which the alleged violation(s) is based, cite the appropriate Article(s) and include any other appropriate documentation.
  • Arbitration ā€“ Complete the arbitration request form, attach the details of the dispute, and enclose the appropriate deposit along with whatever documentation that may help to substantiate your position.
  • The ethics complaint or arbitration request will then be sent to the Grievance Committee for review.
  • The Grievance Committee may, if deemed appropriate, send a copy of the ethics complaint and/or arbitration request to the respondent for a written response.
  • The Grievance Committee, which functions much like a grand jury, will then review the ethics complaint and/or arbitration request (and response, if any).
  • If the Grievance Committee refers the ethics complaint or arbitration request for a hearing, the parties will be advised of the referral. The respondent will be requested to submit a written response if one has not already been filed.
  • If the Grievance Committee determines that a hearing is not warranted, the parties will be advised that the matter has been dismissed and notified of the opportunity to appeal the Grievance Committeeā€™s dismissal to the Board of Directors.
  • If the Grievance Committee determines that a hearing is warranted, the parties will be advised of the date, time, and place of the hearing subsequent to having an opportunity to challenge any of the hearing panelists for cause.
  • Ā During the hearing, the parties have an opportunity to present their positions. Parties may exercise their right to bring witnesses and/or attorneys to the hearing. The standard of proof in an ethics complaint is clear, strong, and convincing evidence. The standard of proof that must be observed to prevail in an arbitration proceeding is a preponderance of the evidence (i.e., that evidence, when taken as a whole, is more convincing than the evidence offered in opposition.)
  • The Hearing Panelā€™s ethics decision or arbitration award is transmitted to the parties. Either party may file an ethics appeal or rehearing request with the President, but the complainant may
    only appeal on a procedural basis. The parties involved in an arbitration may appeal only on the basis that there was a procedural irregularity that materially worked to their detriment.
  • The Board of Directors, either on an ethics appeal or after the ethics appeal period has expired, renders its final decision, which will in turn be transmitted to the parties. Arbitration awards are considered final and binding subsequent to the expiration of the procedural review period.

The information contained hasĀ been summarized and provided for your use as a quick reference. For more information on Code of Ethics enforcement procedures or to review the complete Code of Ethics and Arbitration Manual

FORMS

Send a Message

Contact Us
Skip to content