City's Housing and Neighborhood Development Department Offers Resources for Prospective Home Owners

Bloomington, Ind. – The City of Bloomington’s Department of Housing and Neighborhood Development (HAND) will host four series of Home Buyers classes in 2019.  Open to prospective homeowners across the community, the classes are targeted to first-time home buyers with income at or below 80 percent of area median income (AMI), with the goal of increasing accessibility to home ownership.  Income-qualified residents who complete a Home Buyers class and are purchasing a home within the jurisdiction of the City may qualify to apply for assistance with downpayment and closing costs from HAND, which administers federal housing funds.  

“Over the years, HAND has played a key role in creating affordable solutions for community members who may have considered home ownership beyond their means,” said Bloomington Mayor John Hamilton.  “Through educational efforts and the resourceful stewardship of federal funds, HAND has helped many Bloomingtonians get into homes of their own.”

Home Buyers classes will cover the following topics:

• Considering whether homeownership is 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 determining the right home for you

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

• Learning about mortgages and finding the right one for you

• Protecting your investment through comprehensive home maintenance

• Accessing community and neighborhood resources

• Exploring funding assistance through local, state, and federal sources

In order to complete the Home Buyers class, participants must attend both Saturday sessions in each class series. Each class meets from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for the first Saturday session and from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. for the second Saturday session on the dates listed below:

1.      January 12 and 19 (fully enrolled; registrants will be added to waiting list)

2.      February 23 and March 2 (registration will open January 22, 2019)

3.      April 6 and 13 (registration will open March 4, 2019)

4.      September 21 and 28 (registration will open August 5, 2019)

The Home Buyers Class is open to all in the community at no cost. However, class size is limited and pre-registration is required. To register during an open enrollment period, or to learn more about down payment and closing cost assistance available through HAND, please visit bloomington.in.gov/housing/home-buyers-club.  

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