Real-estate calendar

Real-estate classes,

seminars and events

SAT: FEB 6, FEB 13, FEB 20, FEB 27, MARCH 6 Homebuyer workshop. Learn the 19 steps to buy a home. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Continental Building in Bellevue, 11555 S.E. Eighth St. Free. Registration required. Call 800-882-8931, ext. 211 or www.HomeBuyerRegistration.com.

TUE: FEB 9, FEB 16, FEB 23, "Foreclosure solutions." A free workshop every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at the Windermere Real Estate office in Bellevue, explains how to buy homes at a huge discount at an auction. Staff will explain why knowing the buying process can save you up to 40 percent. The workshop is at 1200 112th Ave. N.E., Suite B100, Bellevue. More information or to register www.smartauctionbuying.com. or 425-260-7270

SAT: FEB 20, MARCH 6 Free homebuyer seminar sponsored by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Smaller classes explaining the loan process and purchasing a home. Plenty of time set aside for your questions. Walk-ins welcome. Class held at 9709 Third Ave. N.E., Seattle Call 206-769-9776 to make a reservation. Or go to www.davecoons.org.

SAT: FEB 20, MARCH 20, APRIL 17, MAY 15, JUNE 12 This class guides you through the journey of finding and financing your home whether this is your first or fifth house. Topics include zero down, state-sponsored low interest rate and down-payment assistance loans as well as real-estate/investment strategies for today's market. Held at Seattle Central Community College, 1701 Broadway, Room 3209, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration at 425-576-3703 or pgirsh@evergreenhomeloans.com.

SUN: FEB 21 Homebuyer classes designed to answer questions about financing and buying a home. Informal, small-group format provides time for discussion and Q&A. Free, informative, no-pressure classes held 10 a.m.-3 p. m. are co-sponsored by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, Network Mortgage Services and Coldwell Banker Danforth. January class in Northgate area, February class in Lynnwood. For questions, to register for a class, and to get future class dates, contact Angela Cohen at 425-218-7821 or angelac@networkhomeloans.com.

THUR: FEB 25 Free investor seminar. Learn about low-risk strategies and current trends of today's evolving market. Small class size designed to give you the opportunity to ask questions. 6 p.m. in Bellevue. RSVP and more info at www.prosperarealestate.com/investorseminar.

TUE: MARCH 2 "How to get paid to buy your first home." Free seminar. First-time homebuyers. In addition to the federal tax credit of $8,000, expiring on April 30, the Seattle area is home to about a dozen homebuyer-assistance programs to help with down payment and closing costs. Seminar to be held at First American Title in downtown Bellevue, 800 Bellevue Way N.E. Information: 425-201-4550 www.firstam.com/title-wa/king

HomeSight — Nonprofit group offers affordable home loans, financial counseling and two homebuyer-education classes demystifying the purchase process. $40 (206-723-4355 or www.homesightwa.org)

Homestead Community Land Trust — Nonprofit group offers down-payment assistance to eligible first-time buyers. 206-323-1227 orwww.homesteadclt.org