In addition to the 2017 FIRST TIME HOME BUYER CLASS SCHEDULE already announced, classes are now available in Chenango County, as well!

Here is the complete 2017 schedule for classes in Binghamton AND Norwich:

FIRST SESSION: TUESDAYS, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm

• March 14, 21, 28 & April 4, 11

@ Metro Interfaith, 21 New St., Binghamton

or

TUESDAYS, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm:

• March 28, & April 4, 11

@ Quaranta Homeownership Academy, 44 W. Main St., Norwich

****************************************************

SECOND SESSION: TUESDAYS, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm

• May 2, 9, 16, 30 & June 6

@ Metro Interfaith, 21 New St., Binghamton

****************************************************

THIRD SESSION: SATURDAYS, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm:

• August 5, 12, 19, 26

@ Binghamton location: TBA (To Be Announced)

or

TUESDAYS, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm:

• July 11, 18, 25

@ Quaranta Homeownership Academy, 44 W. Main St., Norwich

****************************************************

FOURTH SESSION: SATURDAYS, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm:

• September 23, 30 & Oct 7, 14

@ Binghamton location: TBA (To Be Announced)

or

TUESDAYS, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm:

• October 10, 17, 24

@ Quaranta Homeownership Academy, 44 W. Main St., Norwich

*****************************************************

Light Supper Provided Each Night Class & Light Breakfast Provided Each Saturday Class

Contact the Homeownership Academy Coordinators for more info & to sign up:

Binghamton: Conant Smith 607.723.0723 ext. 311 or metro.csmith@stny.rr.com

Norwich: Cathy Berger 607.334.7114 ext. 4004 or cberger@ofcinc.org

In addition to the 2016 FIRST TIME HOME BUYER CLASS SCHEDULE already announced, classes are now available in Chenango County! (Note the changes to these dates)

FIRST SESSION: TUESDAYS, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm

• March 1, 8, 15, 29 & April 5th

@ Metro Interfaith, 21 New St., Binghamton

or

THURSDAYS, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm:

• April 14, 21, 28

@ Quaranta Homeownership Academy, 44 W. Main St., Norwich

SECOND SESSION: SATURDAYS, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

• April 23, 30 & May 14, 21

@ First Niagara Homeownership Center, 112-122 State St., Binghamton

or

TUESDAYS, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm:

• May 10, 17, 24

@ Quaranta Homeownership Academy, 44 W. Main St., Norwich

THIRD SESSION: TUESDAYS, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm

• September 13, 20, 27 & Oct. 4, 11

@ Metro Interfaith, 21 New St., Binghamton

or

TUESDAYS, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm:

• October 18, 25, & November 1

@ Quaranta Homeownership Academy, 44 W. Main St., Norwich

Light Supper Provided Each Night Class & Light Breakfast Provided Each Saturday Class

Contact the Homeownership Academy Coordinators for more info & to sign up:

Binghamton: Conant Smith 607.723.0723, Ex. 311 metro.csmith@stny.rr.com

Norwich: Michele Clark 607.334.7114, Ex. 4006 mclark@ofcinc.org

Announcing

The BINGHAMTON HOMEOWNERSHIP ACADEMY

2016 FIRST TIME HOME BUYER CLASS SCHEDULE !

FIRST SESSION: TUESDAYS, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm

• March 1, 8, 15, 29 & April 5th

@ Metro Interfaith, 21 New St., Binghamton

SECOND SESSION: SATURDAYS, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

• April 23, 30 & May 14, 21

@ First Niagara Homeownership Center, 112-122 State St., Binghamton

THIRD SESSION: TUESDAYS, 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm

• September 13, 20, 27 & Oct. 4, 11

@ Metro Interfaith, 21 New St., Binghamton

Light Supper Provided Each Night Class & Light Breakfast Provided Each Saturday Class

Contact the Homeownership Academy Coordinator for more info & to sign up:

(607) 723-0723

Email: [email protected]

Tuesday Night, Obtaining a Mortgage Night!!

The March Classes are filling up fast! To register call 607-723-0723 or email [email protected]
Classes will be held 3/8, 3/15, 3/22, 3/29 from 9:00am-1:00pm at:
First Niagara Homeownership Center,
112-122 State Street, Binghamton

Seven Secrets for First-Time Homebuyers
1. Visit a certified housing counselor at a nonprofit organization.
Housing counselors credentialed through a nonprofit agency provide objective advice and unbiased recommendations.
2. Get your finances in order.
Find out what your credit report and credit score are and correct any inaccuracies. Lenders look at factors called the four Cs of credit: credit history (timely bill paying), capital (money available for a down payment), capacity (income versus debt), and collateral (the value and condition of the house).
3. Look for down-payment and closing-cost assistance programs. Some nonprofit organizations and state or local government agencies can help you with down payment and closing costs through grant money or low-interest loans.
4. Make sure homeownership fits with your lifestyle.
If you will be in a particular community for less than three years, if the local economy is not doing well, if unemployment is rising, or if your future income will not provide you with enough for mortgage payments and other financial responsibilities in owning a home, then renting may provide the better option.
5. Shop around for everything related to your home purchase.
Follow the “rule of threes” by comparing at least three products, professionals or services before making your final selections.
6. Get pre-approved for financing before shopping for a home.
Pre-approval is different from pre-qualification, which refers to when a lender calculates how much mortgage you likely can afford based on unverified information. A preapproval is a guarantee that the lender will loan you a fixed amount of money, as long as the property appraises over the amount for which you are qualified and you buy within a certain time period.
7. Carefully select a location.
Research area schools, property tax rates, insurance rates, and crime statistics. Spend time thinking about things that may be important.

*You can order your credit report and credit score from each of the three major credit reporting agencies: Experian; Equifax; and TransUnion. For more information on credit scoring, visit http://www.myfico.com.