Thinking about buying a home? This Stockton session will show you how it’s possible
A four-hour workshop outlining a program to put home ownership in reach of residents will take place Saturday at San Joaquin Delta College.

Stocktonia
By Chris Woodyard

In a state beset by housing woes, Stockton remains an island of affordability for many homebuyers — even those who thought they might have been priced out.

A four-hour workshop outlining a program to put home ownership in reach of residents will take place Saturday at San Joaquin Delta College. It is presented by the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America, simply known as NACA, a nonprofit homeownership and advocacy organization approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The program, which begins at 9 a.m., will be an intensive review of the NACA program aimed at those who thought they might not have been able to enter the housing market because of onerous down payments, closing costs, spotty credit histories or other discouraging factors. Sign up by calling 425-602-6222.

“You will leave with the expectation there is a possibility you can own a home,” said Pamala Spivey, one of several Fast Real Estate agents involved with the event. “They don’t look at you based on your credit.”

The program is intensive, she said, with a HUD counselor explaining all the key elements, including working with banks, that can allow buyers to jump into the market.

As California housing markets go, Stockton holds promise for entry-level buyers. The average price of a Stockton home is $441,009, up 2.8% in a year, according to real estate pricing site Zillow. By comparison, the statewide average is $773,363, up 5.1%.

“It’s affordable,” and there’s availability. Spivey said there currently are about 1,000 homes for sale in San Joaquin County.

Many buyers choose Stockton because it fits their budgets even if it makes for a tougher commute. Spivey said she closed a recent transaction for a homebuyer who planned to travel 100 miles by train from Stockton to her job.

Also giving a nudge to potential homebuyers: Stockton isn’t a great place for renters. A study released in July by apartment tracking site RentCafe listed Stockton in 141st place out of 150 markets in its survey of best cities for renters. The study looked at apartment quality, economic strength, traffic, air quality and natural amenities.