Bloomington, Ind. – The City of Bloomington’s Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) will host the Home Buyers Club in September. The two-part class offers participants a chance to learn how to become successful homeowners.   

The class will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 16 and from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 23. Participants must attend both sessions to complete the class.

Covered topics will include:

• Is homeownership the right option for you?

• Developing a household budget and home buying action plan

• Developing a savings plan, credit issues and credit repair

• Working with a realtor and how to locate the right home for you

• The importance of home inspections and how to value a home

• Mortgages and how to find the right one for you

• Home maintenance and protecting your investment

• Accessing community and neighborhood resources

The Home Buyers Club program helps first-time home buyers understand and overcome the obstacles involved in realizing the goal of homeownership. Presenters will include HAND’s HUD-certified housing counselor and local real estate industry professionals.

Income-eligible participants that complete the classes are allowed to apply for $5,000 down payment and closing cost assistance from HAND. For more information about the down payment and closing cost assistance, visit bloomington.in.gov/housing/home-buyers-club.

Participants will receive the HAND-produced home-buying guide, “Buying a Home: A Guide for First-Time Home Buyers,” and have an opportunity to meet with HAND’s housing counselor to develop a personalized home-buying action plan.  

The Home Buyers Club is offered to anyone in the community at no cost. However, class size is limited and pre-registration is required. To register, please visit bloomington.in.gov/housing/home-buyers-club or contact Dan Niederman at 812-349-3512 or niedermd@bloomington.in.gov.

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