It’s not just the home-buying process that is complex - homeownership brings brand new responsibilities along with it! Our Homeownership Specialists are here to support you through workshops and one-on-one coaching.
Alongside our Homebuyer Education Workshop, we offer free one-on-one coaching with our HUD-Certified Homeownership Specialists. Together, you will review how to get you to the point of homebuying readiness by reviewing your finances and creating a step-by step plan that will help you become mortgage ready. If you have asked yourself these questions, Coaching for Homebuyers might be right for you:
Is this the right time for you to buy a house?
What steps can I take to improve my credit?
What changes should I make to my household budget in order to save for a down payment?
How can I make a plan to help with paying down my debt?
Are there down payment assistance programs or loan products that can help me?
What are the next steps?
Those next steps vary for every client—some may need to resolve credit issues, save money for a down payment or receive ongoing budget counseling. Whatever the need may be, our HUD-Certified Homeownership Specialists are equipped to provide you with the knowledge and tools to help you succeed. Our HUD-approved coaching sessions will help you put together your unique puzzle to successful home buying.
A homebuyer education course is a class you can take to better understand what’s involved in buying a home. Our HUD-approved course will explain the homebuying process, how to prepare yourself to be approved for a mortgage loan, the advantages and disadvantages of homeownership, mortgage and realty terms and more. Taking a homebuyer education course led by a HUD-Certified Homeownership Specialist has huge financial and practical benefits. Research shows that first-time homebuyers are 15 to 30 percent less likely to face default or foreclosure if they complete a homebuyer course and one-on-one coaching. Knowledge is power! Join us for our next Homebuyer Workshop and learn:
“Buying a home is a scary process when you don’t know the steps needed to get started. This workshop put me at ease and gave me confidence that this goal is obtainable with the correct knowledge and guidance.”
Steps to buying your own home
How credit scoring works
How to create a realistic budget
Where to find down payment assistance
How to work with a REALTOR®
Why you need a home inspection
Why home insurance is important
And more!
This up-to-date, easy to understand information, offered directly by experts in the homebuying industry, is offered in a welcoming setting, no-pressure, no sales!
After successfully completing the course you will be eligible to request a HUD-Approved Certificate which can help you access thousands of dollars in down payment assistance and/or First-Time Homebuyer loans.
Melissa - Homebuyer Workshop Graduate
VCCDC has partnered with eHome America to provide you with access to a homebuyer course that is available online 24/7, 365 days a year. A fee of $99/household applies. Please note in order to obtain a HUD-approved certificate you will need to complete a follow up counseling session after completing the eHome Course. If you attend one of our live classes this requirement is not necessary.
Even after you’ve purchased your home, we’ll help you stay informed on the latest homeowner topics in our recurring Homeowner Workshops:
Responsibilities as a homeowner, including property and supplemental taxes
Avoiding predatory lending scams, including identity theft and credit card fraud
Maintaining and repairing a home, including seasonal upkeep and energy conservation
Improving budgeting skills, maintaining a good credit file, stopping unwanted solicitation and keeping good records
Homeowner, life and disability insurance basics
Being a good neighbor and an asset to the community
What to do if you find yourself in trouble with your mortgage, how your mortgage lender works and what to look for if you want to refinance
Now that you have a place to call your own we want you be a successful homeowner! Our Homeownership Specialists will assist you with valuable information and guidance on maintaining and preserving your home. Some of the information provided includes record keeping, budgeting, home maintenance and repairs, what to do if one falls behind on mortgage payments, re-evaluate your budget and creating a new spending plan to meet your needs as a homeowner, guidance with mortgage refinancing and more.
If you are a homeowner who is at least 62 years old, VCCDC's Homeownership Specialists can help you determine if a reverse mortgage is right for you. Our Homeownership Specialists can provide the required HUD-approved Reverse Mortgage Counseling, which includes:
Evaluating the pros and cons of a reverse mortgage for your situation
Explaining how reverse mortgages work, including payment options, costs, tax implications, benefits and drawbacks
Providing alternative options
Connecting you to other community resources
A counseling completion certificate which is required should you decide to move forward with a reverse mortgage
Upon the completion of the Reverse Mortgage counseling, you should be able to make an independent, informed decision of whether a reverse mortgage will meet your specific needs. Currently the $175 counseling fee is waived for new clients. However, this may change without notice once grant funds are depleted . Appointments are currently offered via phone or virtual conference. In-person appointments can be requested.
Our Homeownership Specialists are certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and NeighborWorks Center for Homeownership Education and Counseling (NCHEC) in the areas of Homebuyer Education, Pre-Purchase Counseling, Financial Capability, Post Purchase Education, Reverse Mortgage Counseling and Foreclosure Intervention & Default Counseling. They complete continuing education programs each year to maintain relevant certifications and stay up to date on industry regulations and programs so that you can be confident you are getting the most knowledgeable advice. Our Homeownership Specialists have empowered thousands of local families with personal financial goals and homeownership goals, covering aspects such as improving credit, reducing debt, increasing savings and customized budgeting through one-on-one coaching and group education.
