Looking to Buy? Take a RUPCO Class First

  |  June 27, 2013
rupco stuyvesant

Stuyvesant Hotel, Kingston, rehabilitated by RUPCO

The Rural Ulster Preservation Company (RUPCO) is perhaps best known as the organization that renovates old buildings around Ulster County, like the historic Kirkland Hotel, which is now a stunning commercial property in uptown Kingston. The Kirkland is also where RUPCO holds its Homeownership Orientation classes, one of which we attended just a couple of weeks ago. The RUPCO Homeownership Orientation classes take place twice a month and are free-of-charge. Just make sure you call and reserve a spot before you go. The class is about an hour long, taught by a knowledgeable and highly-enthusiastic member of the RUPCO staff, and it covers the basics of buying a house in Ulster County, including the benefits of owning your own home over renting, what you’ll need to purchase a home, what your credit report means and what’s included on it, and how much you can afford to spend based on your income. It’s nuts-and-bolts stuff, but if you’re considering purchasing your first home in Ulster County, it’s an invaluable tool to walk you through what to expect from the whole occasionally-confounding process.

more after the jump…

Most importantly, the RUPCO orientation is the first step in applying for one of their many grants and services specifically geared toward first-time home buyers. The First Home Club Savings Program is particularly enticing. The way it works is, if you meet their income requirements, the federal program will match your savings for a new house $4 for every $1 you save, up to $7500. Read that again, because it means, if you qualify, you’ll quadruple the amount you can put toward your down payment or closing costs. That’s a big deal.  Even if you don’t take advantage of the First Home Club, you may still benefit from a crash-course in purchasing a property.

Interested in learning more about the classes and the First Home Club? Check out the RUPCO website for the class schedule and more information on everything they have to offer, from foreclosure prevention to rental assistance, plus a whole lot more. Has RUPCO helped you out with buying your home? We would love to hear about your experience in the comments!

hunter street kingston

Another RUPCO restoration on Hunter Street, Kingston

About Kandy Harris

Kandy is a writer and musician/music teacher living in Saugerties, NY.

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