Classes
House Key
The Commission developed homebuyer education minimum benchmark standards to ensure all participants receive the necessary information to become informed homeowners. The below standards apply to all Commission-sponsored Homebuyer Education seminars.
- Advantages/Disadvantages of Owning a Home
- Steps to Homeownership
- The Players in the Homebuying Process
- The Benefits of Getting Loan Pre-Qualified & Pre-Approved Before Searching for a Home
- Shopping for a Lender
- How Much Can You Afford? Risk Layering and Compensating Factors
- Identifying Credit Issues and How to Address Them
- How Much Money Will You Need?
- Selecting a Loan Program and How Downpayment and Past Credit Affect Loan Choices
- Secondary Market Explanation
- Budgeting/Saving for the Downpayment and Closing Costs
- How to Shop for a Real Estate Professional – Understanding Agency Representation
- Selecting a Home and Negotiating a Purchase Price
- The Importance of a Home Inspection
- House Key Program Issues – Recapture Tax, Occupancy and Property Restrictions
- The Loan Closing – What to Expect, Review Sample Loan Documents
- Foreclosure Prevention and Early Delinquency Intervention
- Home Maintenance
- Consumer Protection Resources
- Community Resources for Further Counseling or Other Assistance.
- Fair Housing
- Predatory Lending
Express
The condensed House Key curriculum, focused on attendees' questions and interest, for those who don't need certification. This class does not qualify for state first time home buyer assistance programs.
Energy Efficient Mortgages
- Finance your energy efficiency improvements (up to 5% of the value of your home)
- Improve resale value of your home through energy updates
- Reduce monthly expenses, utility costs