Photo Gallery: Home Buyers Fair

As young prospective homebuyers, Ronnie Sunio Jr. and fiancee Janice Rivera arrived at Saturday’s Hawaii Homebuyers Fair with just one item on their to-do list.

"We just wanted to get more information," said Sunio, 32. "It’s kind of like gathering ammo before you go to war."

While organizers of the event presented their offerings in less martial terms, the fair was indeed set up to provide basic training to those ready to make the transition from renting to owning.

The fair, held at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, included panels on master planned communities and affordable homes, presentations on solar energy, and a workshop on mortgage basics. An all-day trade show also offered opportunities to meet with representatives from real estate developers, mortgage companies, home improvement and custom building companies, credit counseling services and other organizations.

The one-day fair was sponsored by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and Sunetric solar company.

Sunio and Rivera, who have been immersing themselves in the ins and outs of the home ownership since they heard their lucky number called in a lottery for the Trades by Gentry development in Ewa last year, attended a first-time homebuyers workshop featuring Coldwell Banker Realtor associate Barry Wilmeth.

Wilmeth presented a compelling case for buying a home sooner than later based on current low interest rates and projections for significant increases in home values over the next four years. At the same time, Wilmeth acknowledged the natural apprehension first-time homebuyers experience as they anticipate obstacles like poor credit, insufficient funds for a down payment, or an unfavorable debt-to-income ratio.

"The No. 1 thing that keeps people from buying their first home is that they’re incredibly scared that they will never qualify," Wilmeth said. "They’re so nervous, so terrified that they don’t even take the first step. But once they go in to get pre-qualified and find out where they are and what kinds of programs there are out there to help them overcome their obstacles, it’s like a whole new world."

And to that, Rivera and her husband-to-be can proudly attest. The couple said they are excited about the prospect of owning their first home — particularly after learning Saturday that they may be eligible for a mortgage credit certificate.

"We’re ready," Rivera said.