The deadline to take advantage of one element of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is fast approaching.

First-time homebuyers might be eligible for a tax credit equal to 10 percent of the home’s purchase price, up to a maximum of $8,000.

But you have to make your purchase on or after Jan. 1, 2009, and before Dec. 1, 2009.

Ask your VHFA participating lender for details.

We're always encouraging new homebuyers to attend a class given by the NeighborWorks® HomeOwnership Centers of Vermont. The knowledge you'll gain will be well worth the modest price.

Ludy Biddle, Executive Director of NeighborWorks of Western Vermont, has outlined the nine topics covered by her organization's "Housing 101" course in an article that appeared in the Rutland Herald this weekend.

The Vermont Division for Historic Preservation is taking nominations for its Vermont Downtown Awards.

The awards will be presented as part of the 2009 Vermont Downtown Conference, Friday, Nov. 6, at the Middlebury Inn and Town Hall Theater.

Our friends at Champlain Housing Trust (CHT) in Burlington are playing host to 25 housing leaders from 13 countries and six continents this week. The guests are here all week to study CHT's model of housing delivery.

The week starts today with current and former mayors of Burlington greeting the guests, including U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (invited), Mayor Bob Kiss and former Mayor Peter Clavelle.