The purpose of this center is to provide you with the resources you will need to obtain a home mortgage loan. These classes cover each step of the process from start to finish. We also provide the tools and training to help you maintain your home, loan, and to protect your investment.
Browse through our services and call us at 288-5626 today!
This program is partially funded with Community Development Block Grant funds and is included in the City of Des Moines' HUD Consolidated Plan developed with recommendations made by the City's Neighborhood Revitalization Board.
CLASSES--We offer 2 types of classes, covering a variety of topics, to help prepare you for buying and owning a home.
- Home Buyer Education
- Are you ready to buy a home?
- Managing your money
- Understanding Credit
- Shopping for a Home & Getting a Mortgage
- Closing on Your Home
COUNSELING--We offer individual counseling, primarily on two subjects:
- Anti-predatory lending
- Pre-foreclosure
CLASSES
Series--This series is comprised of four sessions, on Tuesdays from 6-8PM. "Are You Ready to Buy a Home" is held on the 1st Tuesday evening of the even months. "Managing Your Money" is held on the 2nd Tuesday evening. "Understanding Credit" is held on the 3rd Tuesday evening of each month. "Shopping for a Home & Getting a Mortgage" is held on the 1st Tuesday of each odd month. You must call in advance to register, and determine which session(s) you should attend. Some people prefer to attend all 4 sessions, but you do not have to. CLASS SPACE IS LIMITED. YOU MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE. PLEASE CALL US TO INQUIRE ABOUT CLASS SEATING. Please do not bring children to class; we appreciate your understanding.
1st session--Are You Ready to Buy a Home?
These are some of the objectives we discuss:
- The advantages and disadvantages of owning a home
- Setting goals
- How to budget and save
- How much you can afford to pay for a home
- The importance of good credit when you try to borrow money
- How to find the right house in the right neighborhood
- How to make an offer
- The steps to getting a loan
- How you can maintain and protect your home after you move in
2nd session--Managing Your Money
This session is designed to cover:
- Knowing where your money goes
- Setting goals
- Budgeting to meet your goals
- Cutting costs and finding ways to save
- Planning, so that unexpected expenses are less of a threat
3rd Session--Understanding Credit
This session is designed to cover:
- Credit reporting agencies, reports and scoring
- Addressing credit problems
- Managing debt
- Consumer's credit rights
4th session--Shopping for a Home & Getting a Mortgage Loan
This session is designed to cover:
- Your home-buying team
- Types of homes and ownership
- Selecting the right house
- How much you should pay
- Negotiations for the best deal
- What happens from contract to closing
- How a lender decides whether or not to give you a mortgage loan
- Calculating how much you can borrow
- Who makes mortgage loans
- The different types of loans that are available
- Shopping for the best loan
- The loan application
- The loan approval process
- What to expect at closing
Closing on Your Home Class--This class, held each Thursday evening from 6--8PM, is designed for the Home Buyer who is scheduled to close on a mortgage home loan. Lenders often require a certificate from this course for the borrower to close. CLASS SPACE IS LIMITED. YOU MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE. PLEASE CALL US TO INQUIRE ABOUT CLASS SEATING. Please do not bring children to class; we appreciate your understanding.
Some of the objectives covered during this class are:
- Closing process & closing documents--please bring your Good Faith Estimate with you; you will need this for part of the discussion
- Making your home safe and energy-efficient
- Keeping your home in good repair
- Deciding when and how to remodel
- Getting involved in the life of your neighborhood
- Protecting your investment
- Budgeting for home ownership
- Keeping records and paying taxes
- Understanding refinancing
- What to do if you cannot make your payments
COUNSELING
Counseling sessions are arranged individually. Please call us or send us an email to schedule an appointment.