By Crystal Thompson
A home buyer education class will be offered in Havre on Monday, Jan. 29, from 5:30-9:30 p.m. at Wolfer's Diner in the Atrium Mall.
Many first-time home buyers are eligible for up to $5,000 in closing cost and down payment assistance. Home buyer financial assistance is available for down payment and closing costs for households at or below 80 percent of median income. Montana Board of Housing low interest mortgage monies are also available to participants. Participating home buyers are required to complete a home buyer education class.
Monday's class will follow the text "FASSTRAK to Home ownership", and will cover topics including getting ready for home ownership, budgeting, underwriting and credit, finding a home, financing and the mortgage process, and what happens after the sale.
Local realtor Kim Cripps said that these housing programs are great sources for help with down payments, and to unlocking the door to home ownership.
The home buyer education program is available through a partnership between Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) of Great Falls and the North Central Montana Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) area. The RC&D's affordable housing program utilizes NHS down payment and closing cost assistance for home buyers in rural areas outside of Great Falls.
For more information about the upcoming class, or to find out more about home buyer financial assistance contact Kim Cripps at 265-7845, Lynda Taplin at 265-5831, or the RC&D office at 434-9161.
