Homeownership has long been central to building wealth and achieving personal security. At the same time, homeownership comes with considerable risk, as was made crystal clear during the recent housing crisis. Preparation is the best insurance against that risk, and is the key to becoming a successful homeowner.
If you are considering buying a home, working with HIP’s Certified Housing Counselors should be your first step. HIP’s counselors will supply you with tools and information to make the smartest housing choices. Homebuyers who work with HIP are both financially prepared and equipped to take a leading role in all aspects of the home-buying process.
HIP makes it easy to get prepared. You can take HIP’s educational workshop or meet individually with one of our certified Housing Counselors. To accommodate your learning style, HIP offers both in-person and online workshop.
In-person Workshops
Our dynamic 8-hour Saturday workshops (9:00 am – 5:00 pm) are held in both Hyattsville and Gaithersburg, and provide participants with a comprehensive overview of the entire home purchase process, from securing a loan to understanding closing fees. Participants also will be introduced to the most up-to-date information on available down-payment assistance programs. The workshop brings the professionals to you, by including a rotation of informative volunteer instructors, including loan officers, Realtors, home inspectors, insurance agents, and settlement attorneys. The fee for the in-person class is $55 per person, or $100 for a couple, and includes lunch. A certificate is issued after the conclusion of the in-person workshop.
VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS – Wednesday & Saturday
NOTE – During the Covid pandemic, HIP moved the in-person Saturday workshops to a virtual format through Zoom. These are the same interactive workshops offered virtually once a month, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturdays at a reduced rate of $30.00. A certificate is issued after the conclusion of the virtual workshop.
Meanwhile, HIP also offers a free, 1-hour Orientation Session for First-Time buyers once a month on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 – 8:00 pm.
As one recent participant wrote in her evaluation:
“An extremely engaging and informative class – I only wish I’d taken it sooner in my housing search.”
eHome Online Course
HIP has partnered with eHome to provide an online homebuyer course that users can take at their convenience. The fee for the online class is $99.
Free Individual, Personalized One-on-One Counseling
Don’t miss the opportunity to work individually with HIP’s HUD-certified Housing Counselors. An individual counseling session will help you improve your credit, connect with available down-payment assistance programs, shop for the best mortgage products and services, and ensure you are not hit with unreasonable fees.
Sign up for free, individual counseling by contacting the below Intake Specialists in either Montgomery or Prince George’s County and make an appointment today. Those who attend a one-on-one counseling session will need to bring the documents and complete the forms found in our intake packet.
