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Understanding Credit
This section explains
all aspects of credit
including credit
reporting, credit scores,
Are You Ready To Buy
debt management,
A Home
and identity theft.
This section is a general
Individuals are provided
overview of the home purchase with tips about how to
process, including the
improve poor credit and
advantages and disadvantages information about how
of homeownership; the steps to to use credit wisely in
buying a home; the key people order to maintain good
involved; and the associated
credit, especially for the
costs, calculations, and
purpose of obtaining a
considerations. The information mortgage loan.
provided allows participants to
decide whether or not buying a Getting A Mortgage Loan
home is the right choice and
This section details the
whether or not buying a home
mortgage loan process.
is an affordable option.
Individuals learn what a
mortgage is, what types are
available, where to find lenders,
how to compare loan products
and lender services, and what
lenders do to review loan
applications and determine
loan approvals.
getting a mortgage loan;
shopping for a home;
keeping your home and
managing your finances.
Managing Your Money
This section discusses the
importance of managing
personal finances by choosing
how to spend and save money.
Special emphasis is given on
saving towards home purchase
costs—such as down payment,
closing costs and moving
expenses—and towards future
home maintenance and repair
costs. Spending habits may
need to be changed in order to
buy a home and cover routine
costs of homeownership.
Shopping For A Home
This section provides
information on how to be a
smart homebuyer. The task of
finding the right home includes
understanding the steps and
corresponding timelines;
selecting the right home-buying
professionals; weighing the
“wants” versus the “needs”;
and negotiating the deal.
A smart homebuyer is a
happy homebuyer!
Keeping Your Home and
Managing Your Finances
This section delivers tips and
tools necessary to sustain
homeownership. Maintaining
the home should be of high
importance and managing
personal finances to cover home
expenses should be of upmost
priority. Individuals learn how
to protect their investment
and how to seek help if their
investment is in jeopardy.
Individuals complete each
section through the use of
videos and text and through
the passing of corresponding
quizzes and tests.
Homeownership counseling
is offered to all individuals
who complete the course, to
further their opportunity for
successful homeownership.
The homeownership counselor
offers guidance and support to
implement plans and action
steps consistent with
homeownership goals. Referrals
to professional partners and
additional resources are also
provided as necessary. The
homeownership counselor is
skilled in all areas of
homeownership and credit
counseling t