Whether you’ve starting thinking about buying a house or are ready to make an offer on one, CHFA’s free homebuyer education options can make this complicated process easier to understand. Our classes will teach you how to make informed decisions as you buy your first home. In addition, you will learn to budget your finances effectively and avoid financial pitfalls once you become a homeowner. Classes are offered at CHFA- Approved Housing Counseling Agencies across the state and some agencies offer classes in Spanish as well.
Pre-Purchase Homebuyer Education
This comprehensive, eight-hour course will teach you what it takes to become a successful homeowner, from seeking pre-approval for a mortgage to making an offer to the closing process. Individual financial and credit counseling sessions are also available as part of this eight-hour class.
This course is encouraged for everyone who is considering the purchase of a first home.
Class Calendar
Pre-Closing Homebuyer Education
You will learn about budget planning, home maintenance and foreclosure prevention in this three-hour class. At least one CHFA loan applicant is required to attend this course unless they’ve completed the Pre-Purchase class within the past 12 months.
Classes are available at counseling agencies across the state.
Class Calendar
Landlord Education
From finding reliable tenants to maintaining the value of your property, being a landlord comes with a host of responsibilities. CHFA’s landlord education course provides an overview of the issues a homebuyer should understand before owning a multifamily home.
Any potential homebuyer may enroll. This course is required for those buying a two-to-four family home under the CHFA Homebuyer Mortgage Program. This class is also open to landlords who would like to learn more about property management.
This three-hour class can be taken at an approved housing counseling agency.
Class Calendar
Financial Fitness
This three-hour course covers the importance of managing money and understanding credit so that you will be a wiser consumer and avoid financial pitfalls. Any individual may enroll. The class provides an overview of the practical steps of financial services, savings, budget planning, and how to effectively monitor and maintain your credit. A few agencies offer this class in English and Spanish.
Class Calendar
How To Register For Homebuyer Education Classes
You register for a class by contacting the counseling agency directly by telephone or online. Your lender will provide you with a loan reservation number or online access code. Applicants who complete any of the courses will be provided with a certificate to verify that they have satisfied the education requirement of their loan application.
Classes are offered on weekday evenings and Saturdays throughout the State by CHFA- Approved Housing Counseling Agencies in partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approvals. These non-profit agencies are staffed by counseling professionals who are trained in CHFA loan programs.
Contacts
Questions? Your CHFA-Approved Lender can provide you with information about the homebuyer education requirement and refer you to an agency near you.
If you have questions, please contact the CHFA counseling staff by emailing counseling@chfa.org or call (860) 571-4396.