THREE EASY OPTIONS TO ENROLL!

Contact 716-712-2060 directly to schedule

Click on the ATTEND A WORKSHOP link on the left of this page for date and times

Click the MAKE YOUR MOVE ONLINE link on the left of this page to take the course from the privacy and comfort of your own HOME

Make Your Move - Pre-Purchase Housing Workshop

This course is designed for first-time homebuyers or individuals that have not purchased a home recently. The course provides participants the step-by-step information in preparation of homeownership, understanding lending requirements and how to maintain their home once they own it.

The goals for Make Your Move . . . a Guide to Homeownership are:

• To prepare you for all aspects of the home-buying process
• To provide you with the information you need to gain confidence in handling the process of buying a home

• What lenders consider when deciding whether you are a creditworthy buyer
• The types of loan programs available
• The types of fees involved with the purchase of a home
• Who the professionals in the home-buying process are
• Legal documents you will be asked to sign when buying a home

Knowing what is involved in the home-buying process helps you understand what will be expected of you and will help you get the best deal possible.

COURSE OUTLINE

Lesson 1: You want to buy a house, where do you begin?

• Are you ready for the responsibility of homeownership? / Look at your spending plan
• Learn who is involved in the home-buying process / The 3 basic truths to mortgage lending
• What is needed to make a credit decision? / The documents you will need for your loan application
• Choosing a lender

Lesson 2: How is your credit payment history?

• Your credit report / Evaluating your credit information
• Correcting errors on your credit report / Credit repair clinics

Lesson 3: Getting pre-qualified or credit approved

• The difference between pre-qualification and pre-approval / Your employment history
• Determining your income / What monthly debts do you have?
• What are debt ratios? / The house payment (PITI)
• Escrow accounts / How much money will you need?/ Gift funds

Lesson 4: What types of loans are available?

• The big four "loan vehicles" / The "trailer programs"
• The "luggage rack" programs / Other financing options
• What parts make up a loan? / Fixed or adjustable rate mortgage loan?

Lesson 5: Shopping for a home

• How do you find a home to buy? / Using a real estate agent
• What types of homes are available? / Existing homes
• New construction / Making an offer to purchase

Lesson 6: Finalizing your loan

• The home inspection / The appraisal / Flood certification
• Title certification / Survey or plot plan / Full loan approval

Lesson 7: The loan is approved - let's close!

• The closing / What should you expect at the closing? / Closing costs
• Pre-paid expenses or escrow set-up fees / What documents might you sign at the closing?

Lesson 8: You are a homeowner! What now?

• Making your payments / What if you can't make your payments?
• Refinancing your loan / Maintaining your home / General maintenance
• Spring & Summer maintenance / Fall & Winter maintenance
• Remodeling or making repairs / The joy of being a homeowner

Lesson 9: Watch out for predators!

• Avoiding predatory lending practices / We are all targets of predatory lenders
• Predatory lending "red flags" / Predatory practices / Potentially predatory practices
• Methods used by predatory lenders to contact you / What if you are a victim of predatory lending?