The Office of Community Housing continues to offer seminars to help members of the Penn community with home ownership and purchase information.

The following brown-bag seminars are being offered this semester.

Community Housing 101: Find out about the University’s Guaranteed Mortgage Program and how you can get on board as well as about general home-buying information.
Wednesday, Sept. 13, Oct. 25 and Dec. 6: noon to 1 p.m. and 1 to 2 p.m. in Room 720, Franklin Building, 3451 Walnut St.
Thursday, Sept. 21, and Wednesday, Nov. 15: noon to 1 p.m. and 1 to 2 p.m., 4046 Walnut St.
Thursday, Oct. 12: 8 to 9 a.m. and 1 to 2 p.m., 4046 Walnut St.

Credit Counseling and Repair: Learn how to repair damaged credit and how banks make loan decisions.
Thursday, Oct. 4, Nov. 2 and Dec. 7: noon to 1 p.m. and 1 to 2 p.m., 4046 Walnut St.

Home Buying: Evaluate the advantages of home ownership; learn home buying procedures, financing, the cost, where to begin.
Thursday, Sept. 28 and Wednesday, Nov. 8: noon to 1 p.m. and 1 to 2 p.m., 4046 Walnut St.

Start Smart — first time buyers: Get introduced to United Bank of Philadelphia’s Start Smart workshops for first-time buyers. Learn about affordability, credit scoring, grants and more.
Wednesday, Sept, 20 and Thursday, Oct. 19, Nov. 16 and Dec. 14: noon to 1 p.m. and 1 to 2 p.m., 4046 Walnut St.

Homeowner’s Insurance: Learn about the different types of insurance and how much to buy.
Wednesday, Sept. 27 and Thursday, Nov. 9: noon to 1 p.m. and 1 to 2 p.m., 4046 Walnut St.

Home Inspection: Find out if you’re getting what you paid for and what are the inspector’s responsibilities.
Thursday, Oct. 5: noon to 1 p.m. and 1 to 2 p.m., 4046 Walnut St.

Hiring a Contractor: Find out if you’re getting what you paid for and if this guy is safe. Arm yourself against potential cons and gimmicks.
Wednesday, Nov. 1: noon to 1 p.m. and 1 to 2 p.m., 4046 Walnut St.

Obtaining a Mortgage: Find out about new financing products. What are the options? A how-to course for mortgage seekers.
Thursday, Sept. 14 and Wednesday, Oct. 11: noon to 1 p.m. and 1 to 2 p.m., 4046 Walnut St.

Each hour session is limited to 12 participants. To register, use the on-line form at the OCH Web site, www.upenn.edu/EVP/communityhousing/events.html. For more information about these workshops, call Bernadette Ramsey, outreach coordinator, at 215-573-9725.