Homes: Homebuyer U

The Tampa Bay Community Development Corp. is offering free home-buying seminars entitled "Dream of Home Ownership" from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 15 and Jan. 12 at Ross Norton Community Center, 1426 S Greenwood Ave., Clearwater. The day-long seminars cover such topics as how to choose a real estate agent, home inspections and appraisals, loan applications, contracts and other documents and filing for homestead exemption. Call (727) 442-7075 to register. The Tampa Bay Community Development Corp. is approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and is a Fannie Mae approved Homebuyer Education Provider. The seminars are approved by lenders and assistance programs in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.

Free Home Buyer Seminar for the first-time home purchaser is presented by the Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services Inc. from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at St. John Missionary Baptist Church, 1500 N Pennsylvania Ave., Clearwater. Lunch is provided. Those who complete the seminar will receive a certificate that could provide access to special mortgage loan products and subsidies. A one-hour orientation overview of the home-buying process is also offered to prospective homeowners on selected Thursday evenings. Call (727) 442-4155 to register or for more information.

The Community Service Foundation offers three-part family budgeting classes for people who want to buy a house but are having trouble coming up with a down payment. Classes show how to develop a budget and how to save and provide a basic understanding of credit reports. Classes will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 19 and Jan. 16 at Foundation Village Family Neighborhood Center, 918 Woodlawn St., Clearwater. Call (727) 461-0618 for reservations.

Thinking about buying a house but need to learn the basics? The Community Service Foundation offers free "Getting a Mortgage" classes designed to help first-time home buyers go through the process and qualify for down payment and closing costs assistance. Classes are offered from 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 20 at Clearwater East Branch Library, 2251 Drew St., Clearwater, and from 6 to 9 p.m. Jan 8 and 15 at the Sunshine Center, 330 Fifth St. N, St. Petersburg. For registration or information, call (727) 461-0618 during business hours.

- Send items to Homes, Peggy Anders, St. Petersburg Times, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731. The deadline is two weeks before publication.

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