Its fun to browse home listings online or watch shows likeHouse Hunters.
Who should attend a home-buying class?
Thats where a homebuyer education course can prove valuable.
Before you enroll, heres what it’s crucial that you know.
Beyond homebuyer education classes, youll be able to see which agencies offer other housing resources like pre-purchase counseling.
Another place to look for local workshops is theNational Industry Standards for Homeownership Education and Counseling.
Youll need to provide documentation that you successfully completed a class, like a certificate.
Some programs require you to have attended such a class within the past one or two years.
What it costs
The cost of a course can vary depending on whos hosting it.
In general, expect to pay at least $75.
But feel free to shop around among the options in your area and online.
Dont feel pressured to attend the first course you come across in your search.
(Psst: This is the part about escrow!)
Shopping for a home, knowing who youll need to work with, and how to negotiate the price.
Maintaining your home, including thecosts of owning a homebeyond the purchase price.
Youll also learn about predatory lending risks and how to avoid foreclosure if you face financial difficulty.
It also gives you an advantage when you have conversations with professionals like real estate agents or lenders.
You could come away from a class realizing you dont want to own a home at all.
Either way, youll be armed with the information to help you decide.
And you will definitely know what escrow is.
