One way to increase visibility among homebuyers, especially first timers, is to organize a home-buying seminar. It isn't difficult, but it does require some advance planning and coordination among other members of the real estate community. If your seminar is a success you might even decide to offer it on a regular schedule.

You can hold a seminar in a variety of local meeting spaces. Your bank might have a meeting room that you can use free of charge or for a small fee. Hotels usually have meeting rooms and so do other area businesses. Your local Chamber of Commerce can probably give you some leads on meeting facilities in your area.

Early weekday evenings are usually the best choice for attracting the most buyers, but try to avoid times when you know that a large number of locals are already booked. Steer clear of conflicts with evening church services, sports events, and holiday festivities.

Your seminar will be more educational if it offers advice from a variety of people involved in the home-buying process. You could ask local individuals in related professions to come and speak, including:

• A mortgage broker or loan officer

• A title company representative or closing agent

• An appraiser

• A home inspector

• A pest inspection expert

• A land surveyor

It usually isn't difficult to find people to help you present a seminar, because the event gives them the opportunity to promote their businesses.

Look for real estate professionals you trust and who will give a short talk about home-buying procedures in their allied fields. Allow each person to hold a question and answer period, then send them off to staff tables where people can pick up more information or chat with them in person. Talk to as many people as possible and don't forget to bring your own promotional materials.

Advertise your seminar in as many places as possible. Newspaper classifieds are a good choice and some neighborhood flyers offer free ads. As it's an educational seminar, your area newspapers might even print a press release for you.

Tack up notices on bulletin boards in area self-service Laundromats and grocery stores, just two of the many places where you'll find renters who might want to be homeowners. Ask the people who are helping you with the seminar to spread the word. Tell everyone you know the date and time. Ask them to pass it on to potential homebuyers.

Presenting a home-buying seminar is a service you can provide to your community, an event you can be proud of and something that will help your public image and result in more business leads — the perfect combination!