The Pathways to Homeownership course is designed to provide participants with an objective look at homeownership through an interactive learning approach. The course consists of six sessions: 1) Are You Ready to Buy A Home?; 2) Managing Your Money; 3) Understanding Credit; 4) Shopping for the Right Mortgage Loan; 5) Shopping For A Home; and 6) Homeownership Protecting and Keeping Your Home.  

This course will provide the knowledge and skills that participants need to better understand the steps in the home buying process and to make an objective and sound decision concerning homeownership. Age: 18+

 Are You Ready to Buy a Home?

Competency: To know if homeownership is the right step to take now

Learning Objective(s), by the end of the session participants will:

    Know the advantages and disadvantages of owning a home.

    Have knowledge of the mortgage payment and other costs of homeownership.

    Have an understanding of how lenders determine creditworthiness and affordability.

Competency: To gain knowledge of basic money management tools

Learning Objective(s), by the end of the session participants will:

    Participants will know the purpose and benefits of a spending plan.

    Be aware of resources (i.e., individual development account) available to assist with saving.

   Have identified practical approaches to assist in managing money.

 Session II:

Understanding Basics of Credit, Think Like a Lender!

Competency: To understand basics of credit as it relates to prospective homeowners

Learning Objective(s), by the end of the session participants will:

             Know the purpose of credit and the importance of their credit history.

    Know how to read and analyze a credit report.

    Know how lenders determine credit score rating.

    Know what constitutes a high or low credit score and the implications of both.

    Have knowledge of the basic factors that influence credit scores.

 “Shopping for the Right Mortgage Loan”

Competency: To understand steps involved in obtaining a mortgage loan

Learning Objective(s), by the end of the session participants will:

    Know who makes mortgage loans.

    Have knowledge of different types of loans that are available.

    Know how to shop for the best loan.

    Understand the evaluation process of mortgage loan applications.

Session III:

 “Shopping For Your Home”

Competency: To understand the process of shopping for a home

                Learning Objective(s), by the end of the session participants will:

    Understand the role of real-estate agents’ and how they are paid.

    Have knowledge of different types of homes and types of ownership.

    Know how to shop for a home.

    Understand the purchase and sale process.

 “Homeownership Protecting and Keeping Your Home”

Competency: To learn steps to protecting your investment

                Learning Objective(s), by the end of the session participants will:

    Learn steps to getting to know their home.

    Have an understanding of how to plan for preventative maintenance.

    Know how to preserve their home as an asset.