Want to buy a home but don't know where to start? The City of Virginia Beach Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation and the Virginia Cooperative Extension invite families and individuals interested in learning about the home buying process to join the 2009 Virginia Beach Home Buyers Club. The Virginia Beach Home Buyers Club is a community-based club of individuals with a common, unified goal of becoming homeowners. The program prepares individuals who might not yet be ready to go through the home buying process, but would like to be. Club membership provides potential homebuyers with knowledge, tools to gain financial and credit stability, and the motivation and confidence to become homeowners.

The 12-week membership consists of classes and in-depth presentations on various home buying topics including financial planning; credit analysis and repair; understanding mortgages and qualifications; building consumer skills; avoiding foreclosure; and hunting for the perfect house. Members are exposed to hands-on learning opportunities in a personal and supportive environment.

Classes will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6 to 7:30 p.m., beginning April 1 through June 17, at the Advanced Technology Center, Room 178, 1800 College Crescent in Virginia Beach.

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Membership and classes are free and open to the public, but space is limited. Residents interested in joining the club should register by March 25 to reserve a seat in the class. To register or for more information, contact the Department of Housing and Neighborhood Preservation at 385-8132 or visit www.VBgov.com/housing.

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