Classes to offer tips on owning a home
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Aroostook County Action Program, Inc. (ACAP) has announced the schedule for homeownership classes in 2016. Classes will be taught by Gary “Sonny” Sirois, a certified hoMEworks Homeownership Education Provider with a background in community service as well as public housing programs.
“We had a record number of participants in our homeownership classes in 2015,” explained Sirois. “It has been encouraging to hear that many of the participants have purchased, or are in the process of purchasing, a home.”
Each class requires attendance at four sessions, held on two consecutive Mondays and Wednesdays. Classes will be held in Presque Isle at the ACAP office, 771 Main St., and the start dates of the sessions are the following Mondays: Feb. 22, April 25, June 20, July 25, Sept. 6 and Nov. 21.
The classes will provide an in-person, 10-hour course on the essentials of successful homeownership to educate both homeowners and those who aspire to own their own home. This course offering is open to the public for a small fee of $30 per person or $50 per couple. If attending an in-person class is a hardship, an online option is available at www.ehomeamerica.org/acap for $99 per person.
As a result of completing the course, participants will be eligible for a number of assistance programs, such as USDA Rural Development’s 502 Single Family Direct and Guaranteed Loan Programs, and Maine Housing’s Home Loan Program, Advantage, which offers up to $3,500 toward closing costs.
“Participants appreciate that they can complete the class over a two-week period,” said Sirois. “Each session is 6:30-9 p.m. and includes guest speakers from the lending, home inspection, realty, legal and home insurance fields.”
A complete list of dates and times can be found at www.acap-me.org/Helpful Info. For more information, please contact Sirois at 764-3721.
