Kearney real estate broker marks ninth year of first-time homebuyers class

KEARNEY, Neb. — A Kearney real estate broker is marking nine years of helping first-time buyers navigate the path to homeownership.

Real Estate broker and owner of Rizik Realty Group, Amir Rizik, moved to Kearney nearly 17 years ago and earned his real estate license in 2017.

He said his own experience buying a first home inspired him to begin offering free educational classes focused on the home-buying process.

“We had no clue what we were doing. We were very, very scared. We had no money,” said Rizik. “And he (real estate agent) literally walked us through every step and introduced us to some of the programs that the government has for first-time home buyers. And I couldn’t believe until the day of closing that we can do it. That experience just stuck into me, and I was like, 'one day, I want to be a realtor, and I want to do the same thing for a lot of people.'"

The in-person class walked participants through financing options, first-time homebuyer grant programs, purchase agreements, responsibilities that come with owning a home and more.

Rizik said social media has led some younger people to believe homeownership is becoming increasingly out of reach. However he says each housing market and each buyer’s situation is different, and that more state and national assistance programs are available than most people realize.

Wednesday's class was the first one hosted at Rizik's new office which recently opened at 104 3rd Ave Suite D.