HOPE Expo

By Compiled by TERESA BURNEY

Many people think home ownership is beyond their means, that they are doomed to a lifetime of renting. But there are programs available to help people with low and moderate incomes obtain low-interest loans. There are even programs that help potential home buyers overcome the biggest obstacle: finding money for a down payment.

The Community Service Foundation is offering its HOPE, or Home Ownership for People Everywhere, Expo from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March 20 at the University of South Florida-St. Petersburg Campus activities center, 140 Sixth Ave. S.

The expo will include a workshop to answer questions such as: Do I qualify for an assistance program? How much home can I afford? How do I qualify for a mortgage?

There also will be displays by lenders, real estate agents, home inspectors, affordable builders and non-profit agencies that offer down payment assistance programs as well as education and counseling.

Lunch and free child care is provided by those who register by March 13. Early registration is advised because space is limited. To learn more or to register, call (727) 461-0618.

Help for home buyers

Low- to moderate-income people who live in Pinellas, Pasco or Polk counties can tap into some of the lowest interest rates around and get some help with down payments and closing costs through the Pinellas County first-time home buyer's mortgage program.

Don't stop reading if you have owned a house before. Under this program, "first time" means you haven't had an interest in a home for three years. If you have one or two people in your household and earn less than $45,700 a year or have three or more people in your household and earn less than $52,555 a year you can qualify.

There are limits on the cost of the house: $131,630 for a new home in Pinellas or Pasco and $93,623 for one in Polk. You can spend up to $95,850 for an existing house in Pinellas or Pasco and $76,531 for one in Polk. For a free brochure on the program, call the Housing Finance Authority at (800) 806-5154.

New name for builders' group

The Contractors & Builders Association of Pinellas plans to change its name to Suncoast Contractors & Builders Association. "Our association members are building in three or four counties now," executive officer Rod Fischer said Wednesday. The new name is thought to reflect the membership more accurately. The proposal requires approval from the state and national builders' associations before it becomes official.

The government and paperwork

The federal government produces pamphlets on everything from how to control Japanese beetles to how to become a deputy fire marshal.

Those with Internet access can tap into an exhaustive list of government pamphlets, including many related to buying and selling houses at http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov. You can download some of them or pay a small fee for others. Public libraries also offer Internet access.

Some real-estate-related pamphlets include: "How to Buy a Home with a Low Downpayment," "A Consumer's Guide to Mortgage Lock-ins" and "How to Buy a Manufactured Mobile Home."

If you get bored with the real estate selections, the government also has some advice on how to raise your children and what kinds of rights an airplane passenger has.

HOME BUYER U

n Thinking about buying a house, but need to learn the basics? The Community Service Foundation offers free classes designed to help first-time home buyers through the process. The two-part classes will be offered from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and March 16 at St. Petersburg's Sunshine Center, 330 Fifth St. N.

North Pinellas residents can attend a one-day Saturday class, from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. That class will be at the Palm Harbor Library, 2330 Nebraska Ave.

n For those who want to buy a house, but are having trouble getting together a down payment, the Community Services Foundation offers a series of budgeting classes. Upcoming classes are from 7 to 9 p.m. March 23 and April 6 at the Sunshine Center at 330 Fifth St. N in St. Petersburg and from 7 to 9 p.m. April 14 at the YWCA, 222 S Lincoln Ave., Clearwater. Call (727) 461-0618 for reservations.

n A workshop on government-backed programs, which allow people to buy or refinance their homes, as well as rehabilitate them, is offered by Major Financial Services Inc. at 7 p.m. Tuesday at 13498 Walsingham Road, Largo. Call (727) 593-5626 to register.

n Gary Lambert of Diversified Mortgage is offering a free home buying class at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Republic Bank building, 28050 U.S. 19 N, Clearwater. A real estate agent, appraiser, title company representative and home inspector will be available to answer questions. To register, call (727) 669-0338, ext. 286.

n A workshop covering prequalifying for a mortgage, choosing a real estate agent, evaluating credit and understanding the basics of obtaining financing is offered by Allstate Mortgage & Loan from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 to 11 a.m. Saturdays at 25400 U.S. 19 N, Suite 263, Clearwater. For information, call (800) 701-1186.

n Owners Equity Mortgage Corp. offers free workshops and seminars for applicants with down payment and credit problems from 7:15 to 9:15 p.m. weekdays at 101 E Tarpon Ave., Tarpon Springs. The classes, which are geared toward first-time home buyers with low to moderate incomes, will cover all phases of home buying. For information, call (727) 942-6406 or (727) 938-6583.

n American Home Mortgage and First American Title offer "How to Buy Your First Home," which includes information on credit reports, qualifying for a mortgage and down-payment assistance. Sessions are from 7 to 8 p.m. the second and last Tuesdays of each month. Call (727) 446-2911 for reservations and locations in St. Petersburg and Clearwater.