New On-Line Tool for Homebuyers Offered
Barbara Harfmann
Published: August 12, 2011
Buying a new home is no walk in the park. There are many challenges future home owners have to face before the purchase, like learning about credit and how to budget for the biggest purchase of their lives.
Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, a HUD-certified counseling agency, has the solution to this problem by offering both in-person and on-line education courses to homebuyers. “Knowing how the home buying process works can help ensure success,” said Karen Woods, NHS’ Assistant Director of HomeOwnership Services. “The new on-line course enables people with busy schedules to complete training at their convenience.”
NHS’ new offering of eHome gives potential homebuyers the opportunity to assess readiness to buy, understand money management and credit, how to shop for a home and secure a loan. Home buyer education is an important step in the home buying journey, and many lenders require it before issuing a loan.
The on-line class is a combination of video, text, and audio, designed to fully engage participants who can take the class from the comfort of home at their convenience. Mini quizzes are also given to test the participants’ knowledge. Class topics were developed to increase people’s fiscal awareness, familiarize them with key home buying terms, and provide an easy-to-understand overview of the closing process.
“Being able to log in and work at my own pace was helpful. The on-line course was easy to understand and follow,” wrote one on-line participant.
The cost for the eight-hour on-line course is $50 and upon completion, participants will receive a Homeownership Education Certificate which many lenders require before issuing a loan.
First-time home buyers still have the option of attending NHS’ free in-person classes offered in English and Spanish in several locations: Back of the Yards, North Lawndale, Roseland,WickerParkand at the NHS of theFoxValleyoffice inElgin. Since 1975, NHS counselors have educated nearly 31,000 people.
For more information and to register for e-Home, visit www.nhschicago.org, or contact Heather Blankenship 773-329-4113 or hblankenship@nhschicago.org. You may also register for traditional classes on the website. A nonprofit organization established in 1975, Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago is committed to offeringChicago andElgin residents affordable resources so they can buy, fix, and keep their homes.
Photo caption, ehome logo
To help busy people receive on-line homebuyer education, Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago offers eHome. Anyone interested in assessing their readiness to buy a home can sign up by visiting www.nhschicago.org, or calling Heather Blankenship at 773-329-4113.
Photo caption, photo
A HUD-certified counseling agency, NHS of Chicago offers free, in-person classes in English and Spanish in five locations to help first-time homebuyers achieve their homeownership dreams.