Molly Shore
Three is a lucky number for Glendale residents Lilik Natanyan and
Nazeli Pogosyan.
When the mother and daughter entered a lottery earlier this year
for one of three new homes constructed on Vine Street by The Olson
Co., Natanyan didn't think they could win because they were No. 10 on
the list.
But after several people ahead of them failed to quality for home
loans, they became the third family to meet the loan requirements of
the city's First Time Home Buyer program.
"Those were really hard days -- waiting, waiting, waiting -- but I
never gave up," said Natanyan, 44.
Natanyan, who is an office manager in a Los Angeles environmental
laboratory, and her 20-year-old daughter, who manages a Pasadena hair
salon, move into their three-bedroom, two-and-one-half-bathroom home
next month, with Natanyan's son, Alex Pogosyan, 22, and her mother,
Ophalia Oganesyan.
Three years ago, Natanyan enrolled in the city's daylong workshop,
"How to Buy Your First Home."
Ann Bockenkamp, an administrative analyst in the Community
Development and Housing Department, said the workshop covers all
aspects of home buying, including the selection of a real estate
agent, financing options and escrow.
"Upon completion, it provides them with a certificate that
qualifies them for many low down-payment or first-time home-buyer
loans," Bockenkamp said.
The city's second workshop in Armenian will be offered Saturday,
and classes in English and Spanish are also offered throughout the
year.
"We find that oftentimes people are more comfortable learning
about financial and business matters in their primary language,"
Bockenkamp said. "We want to remove as many obstacles as possible to
home ownership, so we think it's important to offer this class."
Natanyan said she took the workshop in English because she speaks
and understands the language fluently. However, she has recommended
the workshop to friends who would be more comfortable taking it in
Armenian.
In the past several months, Bockenkamp said 10 people who
completed the program were able to receive assistance from the city.
First-time home buyers using the city's mortgage assistance
program can purchase a condominium, townhouse or single-family home
for up to $275,000, with a deferred payment second mortgage loan from
the city for up to $55,000, said Sam Yeremyan, the First Time Home
Buyer program coordinator.
