Are you considering buying a home?
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 and Community Development- Lamoille, Orange and Washington Counties
- Windham and Windsor Housing Trust- Windham and Windsor 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 Homebuyer Education classes every month.
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, an additional benefit of receiving Homebuyer Education is that you become eligible for numerous financial perks, including:
- Down-payment assistance programs
- Grants up to $25,000 or more
- Closing-cost assistance
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
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 Online 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.
Class Fees
The class fee is $74.00 per household in-person class or $99.00 per household online. Fee includes: workbook, informational materials and your personal credit report (received at later appointment). We are unable to waive the workshop fee.
Convenient Class Locations
Classes are held throughout Addison, Bennington, and Rutland counties. You can see a schedule of classes and locations on our NeighborWorks Compass website.
Our Rutland Homebuyer Education classes are generously sponsored by NBT Bank and Bar Harbor Bank & Trust.
Our Bennington Homebuyer Education classes are generously sponsored by The Bank of Bennington.
Homebuyer Education Topics
- Your readiness to buy
- Budgeting and Credit
- Shopping for a home
- Getting a mortgage
- Home inspections and 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 who present their certificates in 2019
- 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 2019 graduates of Homebuyer Education (contingent upon home purchase in 2019).
- People’s United Bank: offers a $500 discount off closing costs for Homebuyer Education graduates
Meet our Presenters
About Homebuyer Education Class
Homebuyer Education is a nationally recognized course taught by a nationally certified instructor. Classes are taught as a full-day course on Saturday (eight hours) or as evening sessions during the week (two four-hour sessions). All classes provide breaks – including a lunch break. Feel Free to bring a bag lunch or go to a nearby eatery.
We encourage you to take Homebuyer Education in person if you can. In-person classes have guest presenters such as Realtors, insurance agents, lenders, and home inspectors. These professionals offer the inside scoop on the home buying process and will share valuable advice in their area of expertise.
You will have free access to our expert home buying coach after you complete the class. You can meet with her as many or as few times as you would like throughout your home buying experience. NeighborWorks® will also provide you with an official Homebuyer Education certificate.
Attending Homebuyer Education does not guarantee you a mortgage loan. Class dates are subject to change.
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
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 Online 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.