Step 1: ​Are You Ready for Homeownership

• What are the benefits and challenges to owning your own home
• What are the differences between owning and renting
• What are the steps in purchasing a home
• Understanding the relationship between your income and loan limits?
• How do you qualify for a loan?

Step 2: How to prepare a household budget

• Why a household budget is important to homeownership
• How to obtain and understand a credit report
• How to correct poor credit
• What are your rights as a consumer
• What are the options for obtaining credit

Step 3: Shopping for a Home 

• Getting help from qualified companies
• Determining what you can afford
• Determining the type and size of house you need
• What to look for in neighborhoods
• Evaluating the Home Computer 
• Negotiating a real estate contract
• How to determine a fair price

Step 4: Shopping for a Mortgage Loan

• Understanding underwriting criteria
• How to compare mortgage products
• Types of lenders and types of loans
• How to avoid mortgage fraud

Step 5: Closing on Your Loan

• Understanding the loan process
• Understanding the down payment and closing costs
• Title insurance
• Homeowner insurance
• Closing process
• What to do if your loan application is rejected

Last Step: The House is Yours, Now What?

• What needs routine maintenance
• How to determine a maintenance budget and set up an account
• Being a good neighbor
• Energy conservation
• Delinquent payments – what to do