An increase in leads and inquiries for new homes is prompting one Wilmington-based mortgage firm to partner with area real estate officials to sponsor a seminar for first-time home buyers.

Alpha Mortgage Corporation is hosting a home buyers seminar from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage headquarters, located at 1001 Military Cutoff Road.

The event is free.

Grace Bass, an Alpha Mortgage banker overseeing the seminar, said a number of topics will be presented during the event, including buying versus renting, how to determine and negotiate an appropriate asking price, financing options and the loan process, and how to find a proper home.

Presenters at the conference include Bass, Wilmington-based Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage Realtors LaDee Piner and Becket Morgan; Neil Sims, president and owner of Wilmington-based Sims Home Inspection; and Jeffery W. Porter, a real estate attorney and founder of the Law Office of Jeffery W. Porter in Wilmington.

Bass said after the real estate downturn nearly five years ago, a number of potential buyers may not be aware of the changes to the loan process, and with the area’s real estate market in recovery mode, seminar presenters hope to educate potential buyers about their options.

“It’s really a chance for them to learn about the process to buy a home,” Bass said.

Joey Milam, Alpha Mortgage marketing director, said a number of bankers at Alpha Mortgage are seeing an increase in homebuyers in the market, particularly young millennials that are looking to start a family and settle in the area without renting. He said the area also remains attractive to retirees.

 “Most of them have no idea that they can purchase a home for much less than renting,” Milam said of the younger professionals starting their search for a new residence in the area. “They can go into it with very little financing, and we want people to know to that there are lots of choices out thee besides renting.”

For more information about the seminar, contact Bass at 910-620-7382.