Central Montana RC&D has partnered with NeighborWorks of Great Falls (formerly Neighborhood Housing Services) and its statewide affiliate, NeighborWorks Montana (formerly Montana HomeOwnership Network) since 2000 as a rural outreach center to homebuyers. Central Montana RC&D's role is to organize and facilitate monthly classes designed for the first-time homebuyer. Classes are HUD certified and are a requirement for several first-time homebuyer programs. 

The eight-hour course walks potential homeowners through the process. Presenters include the homebuying "team" including a mortgage consultant, real estate agent, home appraiser, home inspector, insurance agent and representative from the title company. A valuable part of this course is a presentation on budgeting basics and credit. Home maintenance and information on first-time homebuyer programs is also part of the course material.

The class in Lewistown is held monthly on two consecutive evenings 5-9 p.m. in the Snowy Mountain Development Corporation Conference Room in the Aspen East Building, 613 NE Main St., Lewistown. Classes are held as needed in outlying areas in the six-county Central Montana RC&D area. There is a registration fee of $20, refundable upon course completion. Call Central Montana RC&D Assistant Coordinator and Homebuyer Educator Carrie Mantooth at SMDC at (406) 535-2591 to register or for more information or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The following is a link to information about upcoming classes in Lewistown and across the state:

http://www.nwmt.org/schedule.html

The tentative class schedule for 2010 classes in Lewistown is as follows:

- Jan. 18-19
- Feb. 8-9
- March 8-9
- April 12-13
- May 10-11
- June 14-15
- July 12-13
- August 9-10
- September 13-14
- October 18-19
- November 8-9
- December 13-14

All classes are held 5-9 p.m. in the SMDC Conference Room, 613 NE Main St., Lewistown, MT