To help faculty and staff take advantage of Penn’s Guaranteed Mortgage Program and Enhanced Mortgage Program, the Office of Community Housing is conducting several workshops for members of the Penn community interested in home ownership. All workshops are held in Room 720, Franklin Building, 3451 Walnut St.

Community Housing 101: Find out about the Guaranteed Mortgage Program, its benefits, the process, and general home buying information.

Monday, Dec. 10, noon to 1 p.m. and 1 to 2 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 5, 8 to 9 a.m. and noon to 1 p.m.

Credit Counseling and Repair : How to repair damaged credit. Common myths about credit, what banks consider in making loans.

Wednesday, Nov. 28 and Monday, Dec. 17, noon to 1 p.m. and 1 to 2 p.m.

Signing a Sales Agreement: Learn the rights and responsibilities of a seller and buyer. What are the contingency clauses? Who holds your deposits?

Wednesday, Oct. 31, noon to 1 p.m. and 1 to 2 p.m.

Homeowner’s Insurance: Learn to protect your investment. Understand different types of insurance.

Wednesday, Nov. 7, noon to 1 p.m. and 1 to 2 p.m.

Budgeting and Planning: Planning for your family’s future, determining your goals, planning to save, how to set up a spending plan, knowing your resources, ways to reduce expenses, setting up a savings plan, and sticking to it.

Wednesday, Nov. 14, noon to 1 p.m. and 1 to 2 p.m.

Home Inspection: Are you getting what you are paid for? What are the inspector’s responsibilities? Be a knowledgeable consumer.

Monday, Nov. 12, noon to 1 p.m. and 1 to 2 p.m.

Hiring a Contractor: Are you getting your money’s worth? Do you know this guy is safe? What are his responsibilities? Arm yourself against cons and gimmicks.

Wednesday, Dec. 5, noon to 1 p.m. and 1 to 2 p.m.

Obtaining a Mortgage: What are my financing options? How and when do I apply for a mortgage? How long does the process take? How is my eligibility determined? Does paying points really save me money?

Monday, Nov. 26, noon to 1 p.m. and 1 to 2 p.m.

To get a sign-up form, contact Community Housing Outreach Coordinator Bernadette Ramsey, 215-898-7422, or e-mail her (bramsey@pobox.upenn.edu) with your choice of workshop, date and time, your name, employer, campus address, campus phone and e-mail. No telephone reservations will be accepted