In a municipal smack down to the bad news coming out of the housing market, the City of Chicago's Department of Housing announced their 2008 series of seven FREE conventions for home owners and buyers. You can learn more about foreclosure prevention services, meet with Realtors, lenders, and contractors, and find out about city-backed funding for home financing and repairs.

The first expo kicks off on Saturday, March 29 at Falconer School at 3020 N. Lamon Avenue on the city's northwest side. It will run from 10am to 2pm. More information and the dates and times for the other expos can be found on the city's site here (pdf).