We now offer TWO options for homebuyer education. We continue to offer our class at the Coalition office on the second Saturday every other month (classes are offered in the opposite months at Neighborhood Housing Services of Freeport. We also now offer an online homebuyer education program through eHome America.

Our education classes for first time homebuyers will walk you through the entire process of purchasing a home. The series covers money management, credit issues, how to obtain a mortgage and protect yourself against predatory lending, the process of shopping for a home, and how to maintain your home and finances for the long term. We use the Realizing the American Dream curriculum, which is endorsed by HUD, National Association of REALTORS, American Bankers Association, and Freddie Mac. These classes are required for most government, not-for-profit, and first time homebuyer mortgage products.

Walk-ins are welcome, cost is $50. If you do not pre-register, we will not have a Certificate of Completion available for you on the day of class. Please note that our classes are offered on a rotating basis between Rockford and Freeport.

Check out our full class schedule. Look for Homebuyer Education!

To participate in our online education class, please read the following carefully. First, some down payment programs do not currently allow online programs, so if you are taking the class as a requirement for a down payment program, please check with the provider of that assistance. Some programs allow for an online course as long as it is coupled with an individual counseling appointment to verify that you understand the material presented. The eHome America program IS approved for use by the USDA. It is the only online program that is allowed by the USDA.

Please be aware that this online course is NOT a short and/or simple course. While you can log out of the couse and log back in at a later date, the overall course takes approximately 8 hours (which meets HUD's the minimum requirements). The course will also require you to take and pass quizzes and exams along the way, so do NOT try to move through the course quickly. The cost for this course is $50/person. If your lender is requiring two people to take the course (for example, a husband and wife), you may register one time, but please register under both names in order for us to provide a certificate with both names.

To begin the online education program, please visit our page at eHome America. Once at the site, click on "Register Now" to begin. At the end of the course you will need to contact our office for a short appointment in order to obtain your certificate. ENJOY!

Homebuyer 411

This class is required as the first step in our pre-purchase/credit counseling program. It covers the basic structure of the program as well as the homebuying process. You will need to pay a $10 refundable fee, fill out our customer intake form, and bring a variety of paperwork, so please contact our office to register in advance.

Check out our full class schedule. Look for Homebuyer 411!

Dealing with Hard Times!

This class is required by the Coalition upon completion of the Illinois Hardest Hit application. It examines the foreclosure process so that you will know what to expect if you are having trouble making your house payment. You will need to bring paperwork to this class, so please contact our office to register in advance.

Check out our full class schedule. Look for Dealing with Hard Times!

Post Purchase Education

The Rockford Area Affordable Housing Coalition is currently offering a quarterly class that focuses on home maintenance. Check out our full class schedule.