Homebuyer Education

IMAGINE THE SECURITY OF KNOWING YOUR HOME IS YOUR OWN.

Buying your home puts you in the driver’s seat. The decisions on upkeep, decor, safety features, and improvements are yours to make. The timelines are yours to set. You will never have to “report” to a landlord or leasing company again. Enjoy that feeling of freedom!

When you join the Homebuyer Education program, The Housing Partnership Inc. (HPI) pairs you with a HomeBuyer Education Counselor. Your Counselor is a home-buying expert who acts as a trusted friend. We work with you to clear homeownership barriers and simplify complex processes. Our Homebuyer Education Program helps you reach your homeownership goals without pressure or pretense.

UNDERSTANDING HOMEBUYER EDUCATION

Homeownership opens doors. Owning your own home means more security, less anxiety, and greater opportunities for financial freedom.

Clearing the Path

Homebuyer Education clears the path to homeownership. Your Counselor guides and assists you at every step, making the home-buying process manageable. We make a complex process less stressful and more rewarding.

Always Free

Homebuyer Education is personalized to you and your finances. Your Homebuyer Education Counselor carefully guards your information, crafting a safe and secure financial plan that meets your needs and respects your privacy.

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HPI owns homes you can buy, which opens doors to greater personal wealth. Because we build or remodel our available homes, we open the doors to new funds and guarantee your home will have at least 5% of its market value built in as instant equity—right from the minute you buy. In other words, you’ll always be able to buy the home below fair market value.

Open Doors

Homebuyer Education builds stability and security—whether you buy or not. As we guide you along the path to homeownership, each step helps you improve your financial stability, even if you never buy a home—or buy a home somewhere else. Your Homebuyer Education Counselor works with you to plan a personal budget, increase your credit score, reduce debt, and build financial security for you and your family. When you are ready to buy a home, we connect you to a local, reputable mortgage lender that offers down-payment assistance and closing costs credits.

Pressure to Purchase

There is never any pressure to purchase. Homeownership may be a dream you’ve had for years, but it doesn’t have to be rushed into reality. Complete the Homebuyer Education Program as often as you like, and buy your home at a pace that makes sense for you. No pressure, just partnership.

Creating Homeowners

Proven success in creating homeowners. Since our Homebuyer Education Program began in 2007, more than 6,300 participants have graduated. HPI has served more than 20,000 Louisville neighbors overall, with 2000+ families who became first-time homeowners.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Homebuyer Education Program?

The Homebuyer Education Program is a HUD-certified education and counseling program that focuses on financial management and budgeting, while providing step-by-step guidance through the home buying process. The program’s goal is for participants to achieve greater financial health and more choices in quality housing.

HPI’s Homebuyer Education meets the education requirements for the Louisville Metro Down Payment Assistance Program. Many banking institutions also require a completed Homebuyer Education certificate for first-time homebuyers to receive grants for down payment assistance and closing cost assistance.

The potential benefits of participating in HPI’s Homebuyer Education Program include credit improvement, budget implementation, an increase in savings (or establishment of a savings account), improvements in credit score(s), debt reduction, and reduction of reliance on housing vouchers.

How do I qualify for the program?

All HPI residents can participate in Homebuyer Education at no cost. Non-HPI residents can receive a referral from Habitat for Humanity, Norton Healthcare’s Employer Assisted Housing Program, or Louisville Metro Housing Authority to participate in this program.

Do I have to purchase a home at the end?

You do not have to purchase a home at the end. Our counselors help you decide when YOU are ready to take the next steps. The Program provides other valuable benefits, such as credit improvement, budget implementation, an increase in savings (or establishment of a savings account), improvements in credit score(s), debt reduction, and reduction of reliance on housing vouchers.

How long is the program?

The HPI Homebuyer Education program is structured to assist HBE program participants to become mortgage-ready, and may be completed within four to six weeks, by taking classes and completing one-on-one appointments with a Housing Counselor. However, some participants may require additional assistance and can take up to a year to complete the program depending on their mortgage readiness when entering the program. No matter the time frame, HPI’s Housing Counselors are ready to assist participants on their path to homeownership.

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I've never been in a program where I rent a house and they will show me how to buy a house.

- Quynella Black

Homebuyer Education is available to all HPI residents. Explore the options and become an HPI resident.