You may think you don’t need a first-time homebuyer’s certificate, but it’s a good idea to take a few hours to obtain one. A certificate shows you’ve completed educational requirements to prepare you mentally and financially to buy a home. Plus, completion of a course may make you eligible for some first-time homebuyer assistance or income qualified programs such as grants, down payment assistance, and zero interest loans.
Getting certified is easy as long as you make certain that the course you’re taking or the counseling you’re receiving meets the National Industry Standards for Homeownership Education and Counseling. Coursework will typically include:
- How to budget for a home you can afford.
- Learning all about mortgage loans and interest rates.
- How to navigate the homebuying process.
- Property maintenance, taxes, and other ongoing costs.
- Local, state and federal housing laws.
- How to avoid foreclosure.
Supported by major banks, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, the National Association of REALTORS®, and numerous community service groups, the recommended curriculum is standardized to provide high-quality, trustworthy advice. You can take first-time homebuyer or income qualified courses online through:
- Mortgage lenders and insurers
- State, local or national housing authorities
- Community development financial institutions
- HUD-approved counseling agencies
- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
Grants are offered by The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Down payment assistance requirements may or may not include completing a homebuyer course, meeting income limits, purchasing a home in an approved location, staying below a price limit, and contributing some of your own money.