To register for an upcoming First-time Homebuyer Orientation Session on Zoom, please visit our event registration page here. This virtual class is only 1-hour and it’s free!

NOTE – This orientation session is an introductory look into the homebuying process and does not qualify for a certificate. To receive the certificate, you will need to register and complete HIP’s 8-hour Homebuyer Education Workshop on Saturdays, or the eHome online course.

2023 Virtual Orientation Schedule

Wednesday, June 21 | 7:00 – 8:00 pm

Wednesday, July 26 | 7:00 – 8:00 pm

Here’s what we’ll cover in one hour:

 Today’s housing market
 Steps to buying a home
 Credit scores and down payments
 Roles of the real estate agent and mortgage lender

If you have questions about the free, 1-hour First-Time Homebuyer Orientation Session, please reach out to us at homebuyer@HIPhomes.org

Tom Wells
Tom WellsVolunteer Instructor
Tom Wells is the volunteer instructor of HIP’s first-time homebuyer orientation session. Tom helped create the virtual orientation class in 2022 as a new offering for HIP’s Homebuyer Education Program. It is a 1-hour introductory session intended to help first-time homebuyers understand the process to purchase a home, and inspire them to start their homebuying journey armed with solid information.

Tom has more than 30 years of experience in the housing finance industry. Most recently, when he retired from Freddie Mac after 31 years, Tom was the Senior Director of Client Credit Management where he was responsible for all front-line credit risk management of over 1,000 lenders with sales over $300 billion.
He also held a Maryland Real Estate Associate broker’s license for 30 years and has extensive experience investing in real estate. Tom earned his BS degree in Finance from the University of Maryland, an MBA from George Washington University, and has executive leadership training from Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.

With this experience, Tom provides class participants with tangible, useful knowledge of the home buying process from start to finish.