The city of Springfield’s Buy Now Springfield program, designed to promote and sustain affordable homeownership, has earned the city the 2010 Ambassador City designation from the National Association of Realtors and the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Buy Springfield Now is a collaboration of the city of Springfield; the Realtor Association of Pioneer Valley; RAPV’s Realtor and affiliate members; MassHousing; and area employers, retailers, builders, and nonprofits to provide education, services and special incentives to help Springfield residents purchase or sustain a home. The program was established in 2009 and has helped more than 120 Springfield families buy homes.

"Realtors build communities and advocate effective solutions to help consumers sustain or gain access to homeownership," said NAR President Vicki Cox Golder, owner of Vicki L. Cox & Assoc. in Tucson, Ariz. "Buy Springfield Now is an excellent, first-stop resource for promoting the many benefits of owning a home in Springfield and connecting potential buyers and current homeowners with easy-to-access information, expert resources and experienced professionals."

Through Buy Springfield Now, residents have access to education about buying and sustaining homeownership; safe, affordable home loan products; special incentives from RAPV affiliates, such as reduced closing costs; discounts from area retailers on home-related goods and services; and the ability to work with professional Realtors who’ve been specially trained through the Buy Springfield Now program. The program is open to all homebuyers, not just first-time buyers.

At a community picnic held this past weekend, Realtor Chris Clemans, 2010 chair of NAR’s Housing Opportunity Committee, joined Dave Gatton, U.S. Conference of Mayors, to present the Ambassador for Cities plaque and a $5,000 check to RAPV Executive Vice President Ben Scranton and Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno.