Good news for renters, homeowners

Think about the word "hometown." It's a special word ... one which inspires feelings of peace and comfort. And no wonder. Two of the most important basics in community living -- home and town -- are combined in the heartwarming term we use to tell where our home is.

These are our roots. The place where our growth begins.

Those feelings emerged earlier this month when community representatives gathered in the meeting room at Country Kitchen Restaurant. Brought together for a "First Friday" session, the McCookites were asked to evaluate the major housing needs in the town and area.

There were more than two dozen people there, including bankers, real estate agents, and city, county and economic development officials. They had been called together by an organization called NIFA -- Nebraska Investment Finance Authority -- to find out ways the financing agency could be of greater service to this region.

So what do you think the McCook people's advice was? What do you think they regard as McCook's major housing need?

The answer was loud and clear. Going around the room, almost every person -- in one way or another -- said one of the town's greatest needs is to maintain and improve older homes, making them as convenient and comfortable as possible for today's homebuyers and renters.

It's a logical conclusion and one which becomes more obvious when you study the statistics. Of the more than 4,000 homes in Red Willow County, over half were built before 1950.

To the credit of the people who live here, the majority of the older homes are well-kept. As an example, of the homes sold between 1998 and 2002, less than 1 percent of the oldest class (houses built before 1930) were classified as of poor condition, with another 27 percent listed as fair.

For those homes which do need attention, there's good news for both renters and homeowners. The news is that an abundance of helpful programs are available through NIFA -- the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority -- to help buy and improve homes. Visit with your local banker, real estate agent or call NIFA toll-free at 1-800-204-NIFA (6432). You may also contact the financing assistance agency by sending an e-mail to www.nifa.org. McCook has a need and help is available. Let's check it out. Our hometown could benefit greatly as a result of the effort.