Home Stretch Homebuyer Education teaches homebuyers about the entire homebuying process – from beginning to end – and the responsibilities that come along with purchasing a home.

Topics covered include:

• Budgeting and Credit Issues
• Financing and Qualifying for a Home
• Shopping for a Home
• The Purchase Process
• Closing on a Home
• Life as a Homeowner

Home Stretch is taught by knowledgeable professionals in the homebuying field including a certified Home Stretch educator, mortgage lenders, realtors and home inspectors.  Upon completion of this program, Home Stretch participants will receive a Home Stretch certificate.

The CDA holds Home Stretch courses on weekdays in the evening.

Home Stretch Schedule

Home Stretch courses are currently being held in-person at the CDA office. Register using the links below; you must complete the registration and intake form to hold your spot. Upon completion of the 2 night workshop (5-9 p.m.) and survey, participants will receive a certificate. You must be present for both evenings, be on time, and participate in the workshop activities to be eligible for a certificate. If you are over 10 minutes late, you will not be entered in the class.

Current HomeStretch Class Offerings:

• July 20 and 27, 2022* – Register
• August 10 and 17, 2022* – Register
• September 16, 2022; daytime offering 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.* – Register
• September 22 and 29, 2022* – Register
• October 13 and 20, 2022* – Register
• November 10 and 17, 2022* – Register
• December 8 and 15, 2022* – Register

Fees are $20 for households living in Dakota County. / $40 for non-Dakota County households.

* Registration will open at least 30 days prior to future offerings; please check back to register.

FRAMEWORK online homebuyer education provides homebuyers with the facts needed to become a well-informed homebuyer through every step of the homebuying process. Many lenders have approved FRAMEWORK to meet their requirements.

Watch this short overview video to learn about FRAMEWORK!

If you feel that FRAMEWORK homebuyer education is the right choice for you as a borrower, one borrower from your household must take the training, but all borrowers must attend a pre-purchase counseling meeting with a CDA homeownership specialist.

The cost of FRAMEWORK online training is $75 per household.

Register online and begin learning today!

Register Online for FRAMEWORK

Do you want free home buying advice?

The CDA’s Pre-Purchase Counseling services provides free individual advising to homebuyers that have completed either Homestretch or Framework first-time homebuyer class, whether you are buying a home now or in the near future.

We assist homebuyers in identifying potential barriers and create a plan to become successful homeowners. Your plan may include:

• Credit repair
• Budgeting
• Finding space for savings
• Identifying mortgage loan products that best meet your needs

If your goal is homeownership, come speak with us no matter how far away homeownership might feel. If you are interested in pre-purchase counseling or have questions about the homebuying process, contact the Homeownership Specialist at 651-675-4473.

The CDA’s Refinance Counseling service provides one-on-one counseling sessions to homeowners.  This provides homeowners an opportunity to compare their current mortgage against a refinanced mortgage.

During the counseling session you can expect to discuss the following:

• Purpose of the refinance
• Advantages of the special mortgage
• Comparison of existing mortgage(s) and the proposed mortgage(s)
• Benefits and costs of refinancing

Minnesota state law requires homeowners paying off a special mortgage to receive counseling. 

The cost for Refinance Counseling is $30 per household. The cost for a payoff statement and satisfaction for CDA loans is $100, which includes the $46 recording fee with Dakota County.  All fees are nonrefundable. Fees must be paid via check at the time of counseling or, if also providing a payoff statement, via check at the time of closing.

To schedule a Refinance Counseling appointment, contact the Homeownership Specialist at 651-675-4473.