Homebuyer Education
Are you considering buying a home?
Addison, Bennington, or Rutland Counties
Understanding the fundamentals of the home buying process can reduce anxiety and improve your home buying experience. At NeighborWorks of Western Vermont, we offer in-person Homebuyer Education classes every month, a new “live virtual” class, as well as access to an online course available at all times offered through eHome America.
Our Homebuyer Education classes are for those living in or planning to purchase in Addison, Bennington, or Rutland Counties.
Along with being more prepared to maneuver through the homebuying process, receiving Homebuyer Education allows you become eligible for numerous financial perks, including:
• Down-payment assistance programs
• Grants up to $25,000 or more
• Closing-cost assistance
PLEASE NOTE: During this time of COVID-19, NeighborWorks of Western Vermont is now offering limited-size in-person homebuyer education classes at our NWWVT office in West Rutland. Masks are required as well as other COVID safety precautions during the class.
PLEASE NOTE: If you do not live in Rutland, Addison or Bennington Counties OR if you are not planning to purchase in one of these counties, please contact the appropriate counseling agency:
Champlain Housing Trust
Chittenden, Franklin & Grand Isle Counties
Rural Edge
Caledonia, Essex and Orleans Counties
Downstreet Housing & Community Development
Lamoille, Orange and Washington Counties
Windham & Windsor Housing Trust
Windham and Windsor Counties
Homebuyer Education Class via TEAMS!
We have a NEW, “Virtual live” interactive online class! Register below, note: will require access to a computer and internet.
NeighborWorks of Western Vermont has created a new Virtual live homebuyer education course as an alternative for those who want the in-person experience, but are unable to attend in person. The benefit to this format is that you can attend a live class from the comfort of your home, get your questions answered in real-time, and benefit from live speakers.
These classes take place online via Microsoft Teams and are taught by our Homebuyer Education Class professionals. Class is for the full 8-hours required for the certificate and includes a one-on-one financial counseling session after you’ve completed the course.
View Class Schedule
You can see a schedule of classes on our NeighborWorks Compass website. If you see a course that you’d like to sign up for, simply click “Create an account” and follow the prompts.
Sign Up For
In-Person or "Live Virtual" Classes
If you are interested in signing up for a Homebuyer Education class, please follow the directions to create an account in NeighborWorks Compass or call (802) 438-2303 to enroll today!
Sign Up For
Self-paced Online eHome Class
Create an account on the NeighborWorks Compass website and sign up for your online class. For online participants there is a required one-hour meeting with the homeownership counselor.
Click here for a step-by-step guide to sign up for our classes!
Per Household
Class Fee: $99
The class fee is $99.00 per household for EACH in-person, virtual, and online classes. Fee includes: workbook, informational materials, and your personal credit report (received at later appointment). We are unable to waive the workshop fee.
Homebuyer Education Topics
• Your readiness to buy
• Budgeting & Credit
• Shopping for a home
• Getting a mortgage
• Home inspections & insurance
• Life after closing
• Information about grants, subsidies, and special loan products
Lenders that offer discounts for Homebuyer Education graduates
- VSECU: waives their $375 underwriting fee on mortgage loans made to Homebuyer Education Graduates
- NBT Bank: offers $250 to Homebuyer Education graduates towards closing costs
- PrimeLending: offers $250 of the closing costs to borrowers who present an official NeighborWorks of Western Vermont Homebuyer Education Certificate on standard USDA loans (but not if the borrower is using the VHFA with USDA).
- Northeast Home Loan: offers a $250 credit to first-time homebuyers that complete Homebuyer Education for Home Possible Loans
- Bank of Bennington: offers a $250 discount off from the appraisal for graduates of Homebuyer Education (contingent upon home purchase within year).
- People’s United Bank: offers a $500 discount off closing costs for Homebuyer Education graduates
Contact NeighborWorks
Are you interested in talking with a NeighborWorks of Western Vermont representative about our classes? Contact us to find out which class is appropriate for you.