Sign Up Now For Home Buyers Club

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 1, 2007

For more information, contact:
Kerry Slough, HAND Program Manager, City of Bloomington, 349-3401 or [hand@bloomington.in.gov|mailto:hand@bloomington.in.gov]
Maria K. Heslin, Communications Director, City of Bloomington, 349.3569

Bloomington, IN -- The City of Bloomington's Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) Department announced its first Home Buyers Club workshop dates for 2007. The Home Buyers Club program is an educational effort aimed at teaching residents how to become successful and responsible homeowners.

The program helps first-time homebuyers understand and overcome the obstacles involved in home ownership. Presenters include HAND's HUD-certified housing counselors, local real estate industry professionals and community nonprofit housing providers.

Registration is now open for the next Home Buyers Club session. The workshop meets on consecutive Saturdays, Feb. 17 and 24, 2007, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Classes will be held at the City of Bloomington Adult Community Center, 349 South Walnut Street. After successful completion, eligible graduates can apply for up to $3,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance from HAND.

The Home Buyers Club is offered to anyone in the community at no cost; however, class size is limited and pre-registration is required. For more information contact HAND at 349-3401 or [hand@bloomington.in.gov|mailto:hand@bloomington.in.gov] or visit [www.bloomington.in.gov/hand|/sections/viewSection.php?section_id=126].

Participants will receive a HAND-produced 230+ page book, Buying a Home: A Guide For First Time Home Buyers, and an opportunity to meet with a HAND housing counselor to develop a personalized home-buying action plan.

Topics include:

• Is home ownership right for you?
• Developing a household budget and savings plan
• The importance of having and establishing good credit
• The home buying process from start to finish
• The importance of home inspections
• Mortgage application process and down payment assistance programs
• Home maintenance and protecting your investment
• Accessing community and neighborhood housing resource

The Home Buyers Club is sponsored in part by: Monroe Bank, Regions Bank, State Farm Insurance and Vencel Appraisal Services LLC.