City of Bloomington Announces 2008 Home Buyer’s Club Registration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2007

For more information, contact:
Kerry Slough, HAND Program Manager, City of Bloomington, 349-3401

Bloomington, IN -- The City of Bloomington's Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) Department announces its first Home Buyers Club workshop dates for 2008. The Home Buyers Club provides residents with information about becoming successful homeowners.

The program helps first-time homebuyers understand and overcome the obstacles involved in home ownership. As part of the workshop, experts will make presentations on a variety of topics. Presenters include HAND's HUD-certified housing counselors, local real estate industry professionals and community nonprofit housing providers.

Registration is open for the next Home Buyers Club session. The workshop meets on consecutive Saturdays, April 5 and 12, 2008, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Classes will be held at the City of Bloomington Adult Community Center, 349 South Walnut Street. Upon successful completion of the workshop, eligible graduates can apply for up to $3,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance from HAND.

In addition, participants will receive a HAND-produced 230-page book entitled, Buying a Home: A Guide For First Time Home Buyers, and will have an opportunity to meet with HAND housing counselors to develop a personalized home-buying action plan.

2008 workshop 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

Sponsored in part by Monroe Bank, State Farm Insurance and Vencel Appraisal Services LLC, 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 or visit www.bloomington.in.gov/hand.

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