Residents looking to buy their first home can attend classes next month to learn about topics like setting and keeping a budget, credit and finances.

The classes, offered by the Calcasieu Parish Housing Counseling Agency, are set for 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sept. 12 and 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 15. Both courses will be held at the Allen P. August Annex Building, 2000 Moeling St. Those interested in attending must register by Sept. 4.

Debra Tate, a housing counselor, said the program is approved by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and goes over everything residents need to know before buying a home.

“They will be able to hear from realtors, bankers, insurance agents, representatives with the city of Lake Charles, basically who they will come in contact with when they purchase a home,” she said.

Most times, Tate said, people are unaware of what they will have to pay when buying a home, including the principle, interest, tax and insurance.

“Sometimes when a mortgage payment goes up, it could be for different reasons, like the insurance went up,” she said. “They need to understand about their tax, depending on whether they’re moving to the city or a rural area. They need to understand what an escrow is and know about different loans.”

Tate said the classes are also beneficial for people who have owned a home but have not owned one in the last three years. She said there are new forms that will take effect Oct. 1 that residents should understand.

“A lot of times, people don’t know what they are signing,” Tate said. “This breaks down what people will be financing, step by step.”

Tate said that residents can also get one-on-one counseling, free of charge.

Additional classes are set for Oct. 10 and Oct. 13. Registration will be announced at a later date. The next classes will take place in January.

To register online, visit www.cppj.net/housingcounseling.

For more on the September classes, or to request special accommodations, call Tate at 721-4030 ext. 5114.

(American Press Archives)