A 'First Class' Introduction To Home Buying

A Washington, D.C. non-profit provides potential homebuyers with invaluable preparation, from financing to interior design.

1 minute read

April 1, 2006, 9:00 AM PST

By David Gest


"Brenda McCaskill decided in 1984 that it was time to buy her first homeâ€"or at least learn as much as she possibly could about the topic. With no relatives or friends familiar with the process to guide her, she decided to embark on a monthslong fact-finding mission to gather information on becoming a homeowner. In a stroke of luck, McCaskill's hunt for data coincided with the opening of First Class Inc., a Dupont Circle nonprofit adult learning center. She happened upon a catalog and signed up for one of its maiden courses, a seminar for first-time homebuyers called 'Buying a House in D.C. and You Don’t Have $100,000?'"

Friday, March 24, 2006 in Washington City Paper

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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