Who We Serve

​Homebuyer education is available for people who live in the counties served by our Housing Counseling program, including:
  • Arenac
  • Bay
  • Clare
  • Gladwin
  • Gratiot
  • Isabella
  • Lake
  • Mason
  • Mecosta
  • Midland
  • Muskegon
  • Newaygo
  • Oceana
  • Osceola
  • Saginaw
 
We work with:
  • First-time homebuyers
  • People who owned a home in the past and want a refresher
  • Individuals and families who want to understand what they can afford
  • People who need a homebuyer class for a lender or assistance program
 
If you’re not sure if this program is right for you, you can still reach out. We’ll help you figure out the next step.

What You'll Learn

​Homebuyer education covers the basics of buying and keeping a home, such as:
  • Getting ready to buy
    • Setting a realistic budget
    • Understanding your credit report
    • How debt and income affect your options
  • The homebuying process
    • Pre-approval vs. pre-qualification
    • How to work with real estate professionals
    • Making an offer and what happens next
  • Mortgages and closing
    • Types of mortgages
    • What to expect at closing
    • Common costs and fees
  • After you move in
    • Planning for taxes and insurance
    • Building savings for repairs
    • Avoiding common problems and scams
 
Many lenders and assistance programs accept HUD-approved homebuyer education. Your housing counselor can talk with you about what your lender or program requires.

How Homebuyer Education Works

There are two parts to Homebuyer Education:
  • Get started online with a course through eHome America
  • Then connect with a HUD-Certified Housing Counselor for one-on-one sessions
 
The online course is self-paced. There is a one-time $200 fee. Click here to sign up for your online class.
​After the eHome American course, a certificate will be provided and can be sent to your lender.
 
During your one-on-one time, you’ll receive individual support and have time to ask questions and talk through your situation. The goal is not just to give you information, but to make sure you feel ready to use it.

How to Get Started

You can complete Homebuyer Education online through eHome America.
​After you complete the course, a HUD-Certified Housing Counselor will connect with you for one-on-one sessions.

​When You Reach Out
When you call, text, or email, it helps if you can share:
  • That you’re interested in Homebuyer Education
  • What county you live in
 
Our staff will connect you to the Housing Counseling team. A counselor will follow up to talk through your needs and next steps.

More Support

Housing Counseling
Our HUD-certified housing counselors offer free, confidential help with renting, buying a home, mortgage or property tax concerns, and building a budget that works for you. They explain your options in plain language so you can make informed decisions about your housing and money.
Financial Capability Workshops
Our HUD-Certified Housing Counselors offer free virtual workshops on topics like credit, debt, foreclosure prevention, renting, and preparing to buy a home. Workshops are open to anyone and are designed to make money and housing decisions easier to understand and act on.
Foreclosure Prevention
Our HUD-certified Housing Counselors can help you understand letters about mortgage or property tax foreclosure, talk through your options, and make a plan to try to keep your home when possible. They’ll walk alongside you, explain next steps in clear language, and connect you with other resources that may help.
​Property Tax Help
If you’re behind on property taxes or getting letters from the county, our staff can help you understand what they mean and talk through your options. In some situations, our property tax program may be able to help with a portion of past-due taxes, and we’ll always work with you to make a plan to move forward.