The first step of the Home Ready Program is enrollment in one of the DCHA First Time Homebuyer (FTHB) courses. The workshops cover the ABCs of home buying including such topics as:

• The advantages and disadvantages of homeownership
• Proper preparation: Assessing and understanding your financial situation
• Credit assessment and overcoming obstacles
• The role of the lender: understanding the loan approval process
• Working with real estate agents
• The role of the home inspector
• Closing the transaction/rights & responsibilities of a homeowner

Here are some of our current classes:

Pre-Purchase Education – First Time Homebuyer Courses

This program is a comprehensive two-part series geared to first time homebuyers and what it takes to become mortgage-ready including budgeting and credit, working with real estate agents, homeowners insurance, home inspections and more. You will hear from and have opportunities to ask questions of practitioners in the lending, real estate, insurance, home inspection and not-for-profit industries.

By completing this informative 6-hour course you will earn a Pre-Purchase Education Certificate, which may enable you to get down payment assistance from community programs in the Dane County area. To register, call 224-3636 x10.

All First Time Homebuyer courses are held from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Dane County Housing Authority, 2001 W. Broadway, Monona (next to McDonalds at South Towne Mall). All courses are free of charge and open to the public. Advance registration is required.

Classes:

Post-Purchase Maintenance Courses

Now you are a homeowner and responsible for the upkeep of your home. Are you overwhelmed? Having trouble determining which projects to tackle first? The Post Purchase Maintenance Courses are designed to illustrate and teach you how to maintain the interior and exterior of your home including Do's and Don'ts, Tell Tale Signs, instruction and helpful websites. A licensed home inspector will share the tips and tools of the trade. Prizes, giveaways and more! To register, call 608-224-3636 x10.

Post-purchase courses are held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Dane County Housing Authority, 2001 W. Broadway, Monona (next to McDonalds at South Towne Mall). All courses are free of charge and open to the public. Advance registration is required.

Classes:

Financial Fitness – Saving & Investing for Life's Opportunities

Do you have a firm financial foundation? Are you concerned about having money for life’s opportunities? How will you protect your home over the long haul?

If these questions are important to you, Dane County Housing Authority and State Farm Bank® representatives would like to expose you to easy-to-understand information to help you take advantage of employer options for saving money, investment strategies, money management and other tips for building and maintaining household wealth and financial independence. Prizes, giveaways and more!

All courses are held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Dane County Housing Authority, 2001 W. Broadway, Monona (next to McDonalds at South Towne Mall). All courses are free of charge and open to the public. Advance registration is required. To register, call 608-224-3636 x10.

Classes:

Alternatives to Foreclosure Workshops

If you are a homeowner in financial difficulty, it is important to understand your options. The Alternatives to Foreclosure Workshop is designed to help you. In the workshops, you will learn:

• Steps to take to avoid foreclosure;
• Workout options;
• The loss mitigation process;
• The foreclosure timeline;
• How to avoid scams and predatory lending; and
• Resources available to you.

To register, call the Dane County Housing Authority at 608-224-3636 x10.

Classes: