FREE HOME OWNERSHIP CLASS SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED
With today’s housing market, it’s a great time to buy a home! Washtenaw Housing Education Partners (WHEP) announces its homebuyer educational seminars and services for July through December, 2013. The partner agencies–Michigan State University Extension, Community Alliance, POWER Inc., Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley, Neighborhood Senior Services, Washtenaw County Treasurer, and the Washtenaw County Office of Community & Economic Development—provide education services to future Washtenaw County homebuyers. Additional programs are available through Community Alliance and Habitat for Humanity to provide down payment assistance and housing rehabilitation specifically for low- to moderate- income homebuyers.
“Often, homebuyers are surprised they qualify for the program financially, but in Washtenaw County, the area median income is higher than many people think,” explains Community Alliance Housing Program Coordinator Sam Brown. “For example, a single person can earn up to $45,100 and a family of four can make as much as $64,400 per year and still may qualify for down payment assistance or rehabilitation work through Community Alliance. In addition, with home prices being so affordable, an individual buyer who makes a fair amount less than the maximum income per year can qualify for the program, and in this market, have a good chance finding a suitable property.”
The first step that buyers take is to attend the Washtenaw Homebuyer Education Program, a six-hour class usually held on two evenings, open to anyone interested in purchasing a home in Washtenaw County. There is no cost for attending the seminar, and the information covered includes:
· Finding the right house
· How to finance a home purchase
· Working with Lenders & Realtors
· Home inspections
· Property taxes & insurance
· Accessing Down-Payment Assistance
· Property Taxes and Insurance
· Foreclosure Prevention
Registration is required at least 1 day before the course by calling 734-997-1678. The schedule of classes through June of 2013 is as follows:
Thursday, July 11 and 18, 2013 6:00 to 9:00 pm Washtenaw County LRC
(near Washtenaw and Hogback)
Wednesday, Aug.21, 2013 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Washtenaw County LRC
Wednesday, Sept 4 and 11, 2013 6:00 to 9:00 pm Washtenaw County LRC
Saturday, October 12, 2013 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Downtown Ypsilanti (location TBA)
Wednesday, Nov. 6 and 13, 2013 6:00 to 9:00 Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) office
Additional classes or financial counseling may be recommended and/or required depending on the buyer’s financial and credit readiness for home-buying.
Funding for this program comes from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), through Washtenaw County’s Office of Community and Economic Development, along with other public and private funds. Homebuyers are served on a first come/first approved basis per program guidelines.
For more Information on the Washtenaw Housing Education Partners Homebuyer Education Program, please read through the registration packet on line at https://www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/ extension/CommDevelopment/whepregistrationpacket12.pdf and call (734) 997-1678.