Bring in a Lender, a Title Closer, a Home Inspector, an Insurance Agent, and/or other industry professionals.  Let them give 5 or 10 minute presentations.  Let those pros ask the audience, "are there any questions?".   Be sure to start some applause when you introduce those pros, and again when they are finished.

     Host it at your Board Office, or some other INSURED location in case of liability issues (somebody slips and falls).

     Make sure that whatever the Lender provides or does complies with RESPA.

    Be sure to promote it heavily (you don't want 3 or 4 people to show up).  Require tickets or RSVP; that gives you a better idea of how many to expect.

1. Talk sixth grade level

2. Make it fun

3. Contests with prizes

4. Audience participation

5. Do a Q & A

Good idea to host these Jillian, I have no advice but if I were going to host one the first thing I would do is search for blog posts on this, study them and then call the authors for even more insights.

Probably first touch on some of the major issues we as agents always have to talk about with first time homebuyers like:

1. Truth about zillow and zestimates and other internet sites listing foreclosures

2. Always call your agent you are working with about any property whether or not its listed by me or another agent.

3. Tell buyers to never contact a FSBO without representation

4. How working with a buyers agent is FREE and they don't have to pay

5. Inform them of the current market conditions and if it's a hot market, get the low ballers the truth that they will never get a house in this market.

6. Importance of getting pre-approved!!  Big one here!

7. Finish up with a purchase senerio and the steps it take to get to closing

I like the other ideas of teaming up with an lender and escrow closer to describe the step by step process that happens after offer is accepted.  Leave room for question and answer.  If its a lender or title company you use often, they may even chip in for snacks, drinks, etc...  Just ask them!

Fred Griffin always gives the best advice....

Partner with a reputable mortgage broker who has multiple sources of funding and does all loan products from VA , USDA, FHA, etc.

Seek assistance from your favorite mortgage loan officer.

Hook up with an experienced lending agent - brainstorm with your broker or others in the office who have done this - I've done a few

Adtvertise, advertise, advertise!!! <- best advice I can give

Start small...limit the number of attendees to 10-15 so everyone has a chance to ask questions and get to know you. The number of presenters you have will depend on how much time you are planning for the seminar. For the first seminar, maybe just have a lender, appraiser and yourself then have a second seminar with an inspector, insurance and title reps. Information overload is your enemy so don't offer too much info at once. It is a lot for them to absorb all at once so make sure everyone who presents offers good handouts to take home.

Jillian La Rocque - there are a few good posts here in rain.

I used to host with my lenders. May be, I'll start once again...

I've done a few First Time Homebuyer Seminars.  We hosted it at a Local Library or Hotel (some place where the prospective buyers would not feel uncomfortable.  Then we would invite a Lender, Home Inspector, Title Company, Insurance Agent, and I would be the Realtor.  We would also get some promotional items as well as contributions from local vendors to give at intervals of every 15 minutes via a Drawing.  We make it fun, educational and entertaining.  

I think Fred Griffin has it all covered.

Be sure to have materials for attendees to take with them

Not to through cold water on your idea but I have done several of these over the years and had them well planned even partnering with lenders, decorators and home inspectors with lots of advertising and tons of social media and the expense and time did not yield a good return. Buyer can get all the info they need online anytime of day.

Fred has givn you good advice.

Don't try to cover all topics yourself. Agent, lender, title attorney, home inspector, housing counselor, can all play a part.

Bring a few speakers. Your broker introduce, get a lender, appraiser explain the buying process.  Take a break to socialize.  

At the end introduce the agents who will be showing homes before they quickly disappear.

Fred Griffin provided some detailed and good advice!

Sell yourself by showing them that you know the market, community, buyers and sellers.  They need to trust you with their number one investment or the seminar will be a waste.  You'll do fine.  Get one client at least.  Get names, addresses, emails and cell phone numbers. Stay in touch. Get them on your email letter that you send out monthly.  Find out what they want and send them new listings daily.  Work it

We've conducted a few, always with a team of a realtor (us), a mortgage rep, a real estate attorney, home inspector, and occassionally also with a title agent and/or insurance agent. Our more successful attempts were those at which there were prizes - the "bling" your company or the other companies give away. It's extremely important to invite every potential lead you've come in contact with for the past year and advertise the living daylights out of your seminar - we've had attendance ranging from zero to a few dozen.

Good luck - I hope to hear about your successs in a future blog! 

I would look for partners to co-host:

Lender

Title and/or Escrow Officer

Inspector(s)

Home Protection Company

Yikes!  This is a lot of work...forget the seminar and

Prospect...Prospect...Prospect

#1. Where are these first time home buyers? The location of the event must be convenient to the population base.

#2. Make sure you know the three types who will attend and have the materials available to enable them to self-select. You will need trained staff to know how to Shepard those who have selected.

#3. This is the most important. Create a sustained presence. Every Thursday or every 2nd Thursday of the month and be visible. Menu boards, direct mail and in this case, do those bulletin boards. Don't shy away from co-advertising with 'Habitat' or 'Hometown Hero' programs.

Others have advised what you need to have available, staffing required and always keep safety in mind.

Best of success,
Annette

parked and reading

Just make it fun!

Don't do it, not a good investment of your time.

bring a lender