First of 10 Wick homes for sale

People can own a three-
bedroom home with monthly payments about the same as what they pay in rent.

YOUNGSTOWN — An open house and groundbreaking are planned today for new homes on Baldwin Street.

Construction is completed on the first of 10 homes planned by Common Wealth Inc. in the new North Side neighborhood. Baldwin Street is three blocks north of Youngstown State University and runs between Elm Street and Wick Avenue.

Ohio Common Wealth Inc. and North Side Citizens Coalition announce that the first new home in the Wick neighborhood is for sale at 113 Baldwin.

Open house will begin with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. The home will be open for public viewing from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday and Sept. 23 and Sept. 30.

The house can also be seen by appointment through Vivian D. Martin, Essence Realty, (330) 744-4775.

Ten homes are planned for Youngstown’s newest revitalized neighborhood, with a groundbreaking ceremony also set for today at 106 Baldwin for Phase II, which will construct five more homes. Phase III is planned for four additional homes in next year.

Scheduled to speak at today’s ceremonies are Mayor Jay Williams, U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, and Arnold J. Clebone, Youngstown-area regional economic development director for the Ohio Department of Development.

Opportunity available

The development provides an opportunity for immediate homeownership for Mahoning Valley residents who may not have realized they could afford to buy their own new home.

The 10 new homes are planned for the centrally located, tree-lined setting near the city’s shopping, entertainment, business and cultural districts.

The three-bedroom homes are air-conditioned and energy efficient with a kitchen with oak cabinets, appliances, ceramic tile, great room, carpeting, basement and an attached, two-car garage.

With a loan of $75,000, a qualified buyer will have monthly payments starting at around $520, less than many households pay for rent.

For example, a three-person household with an annual income between $23,450 and $37,550, with good credit and normal debt levels can qualify with a down payment as little as $500.

Assistance is available to buyers in improving their credit ratings and qualifying for mortgage financing.

The Baldwin Street homes are being developed by Common Wealth in cooperation with the North Side Citizens Coalition, the city of Youngstown, Youngstown 2010, the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, the Ohio Housing Trust Fund, Common Wealth Revolving Loan Fund, Sky Bank and many public-private groups.

For information on the homes, call Pat Rosenthal, Common Wealth Inc. (330) 518-6970.