Learning
Homebuyer Education
Become a savvy home buyer with our Homebuyer Education Course!
Taught by HUD-certified housing counselors and industry professionals, this eight-hour course meets one of the requirements to receive the $5,000 MaineHousing Advantage Grant that you can apply toward your down payment and closing costs.
In this course, you will learn how to navigate the home-buying process, manage money and maximize creditworthiness, qualify for and obtain a mortgage loan, get the most out of a home inspection, and complete the closing process. Cost: $45 per person
Financial Counseling
Improve your financial health with free 1-on-1 financial counseling services.
Get help designing a road map to achieve your financial goals. These highly personalized sessions are tailored to your individual financial needs.
Our financial counselors can help you:
- Identify and set clear financial goals
- Develop a personalized budget
- Understand your credit
- Manage your debt responsibly
- Evaluate financial products (loans, credit cards, bank accounts)
Eviction + Foreclosure Counseling
Keep your home with support to help you avoid eviction or foreclosure.
We can help you create an action plan to improve your situation free of charge.
Our HUD-certified staff can help you:
- Understand your credit and personal finances
- Design a personalized budget
- Navigate Maine’s foreclosure process (paperwork, mediations, communication with attorneys)
- Review and explain complicated legal documents and programs
- Negotiate with mortgage companies for delinquency workout options
These services are open to Maine residents of any financial background. Services are partially funded by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and MaineHousing, and rely on philanthropic support to meet community needs.
Local businesses are invited to sponsor these essential services that keep our communities vibrant.
Thanks to our current sponsors: JPMorganChase, Bank of America, Housing Partnership Network, NeighborWorks, Norway Savings Bank, Machias Savings Bank, Atlantic Federal Credit Union, Bangor Savings Bank
Make contact with us today!
FAQ:
No. This class is designed to provide education about the process of buying a home. Many mortgage loan products require this education, and the First Time Home Buyer class satisfies those requirements. Further, if a student is looking to purchase a home using the Maine Housing First Time Home Loan, this loan product has an education requirement and eligible borrowers can access a $5,000 grant.
Once the course has been completed, all students receive a “lender letter.” When a student goes under contract for a home, that letter will be completed by the loan officer and provided to Avesta Housing. Once it is received, the certificate of completion will be released to the student and the loan officer.
The class costs $45 per person.
You may be able to use the certificate in another state if the loan product being used has an education requirement. The $5,000 grant that is associated with the first home loan cannot be used in another state.
All 1-on-1 counseling is FREE and confidential.
