New Class Aimed at Potential Home Buyers
Housing Assistance is offering a new class aimed at renters who are considering whether they are ready to purchase a home. Housing Assistance has offered a multi-session class for first-time home buyers for many years. First Steps to Home Ownership is a one-hour, preliminary class that will serve as a precursor and help attendees understand early steps they can take to prepare for purchasing a home in the future.
“This new educational opportunity is being offered to complement our course offerings and make the process more accessible to those just getting started,” said Catherine Clark, Housing Assistance’s vice president of community engagement. “Part of our mission is to empower individuals and to provide them with education and support to become homeowners. That’s the American dream.”
The class will provide information for a person to self-assess whether they are ready to buy a home before enrolling in a comprehensive eight-hour first-time homebuyer workshop. Topics include budgeting and credit, the lending process, loan programs, and affordable homeownership opportunities in the community.
“We saw a need for a pre-First Time Homebuyer class for those people who are just starting to think about home ownership and don’t know whether they are ready to start their search,” said Shannon Pyne, Housing Assistance’s lead housing counselor and community educator. “Many people don’t know what lenders are looking for in order to approve them for a mortgage or even where or how to begin. Hopefully First Steps will provide them with some clarity and direction.”
The launch of the First Steps to Home Ownership class aligns with the beginning of construction of Cornerstone Homes, our upcoming homeownership opportunity on Stevens Street in Hyannis. The 50-condomunium project will house more than 100 people.
Class participants will be encouraged to enroll in our Money Matters financial literacy class or reach out to meet with one of our four HUD-certified housing counselors, while others may feel ready to take the first-time home buyer course.
“The goal is for them to eventually be linked with one of our housing counselors,” said Clark. “The course will create an option that may meet the needs of different socioeconomic populations. Those who complete the course may be able to apply for Cornerstone Homes and other housing lotteries that we administer.”
“We’re not only responding to the needs of our community, but we’re being strategic and creative to help set people up for success,” said Clark. “Every housing situation is unique, and we continue to meet people where they are and determine the best way to support them.”
The First Steps to Home Ownership class will be offered Aug. 26, Sept. 24, Oct. 21 and Dec 2.
