Homebuyer Education

Potential homebuyers can educate themselves on the unknowns of homeownership by participating in one of the CDA’s homeownership courses, like:

Home Stretch Homebuyer Education Program
Framework Online Homebuyer Education Program
Pre-Purchase Counseling

Homebuyer education will give you the tools and resources needed to become a successful homeowner.

Home Stretch Homebuyer Education Program

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 in-person classes are currently cancelled due to COVID-19. In place of in-person classes, Dakota CDA offers web-based online Home Stretch classes via Zoom that you can take in the comfort of your home. You must complete the registration and intake form to hold your spot. Upon completion of this 2-night workshop and survey, Home Stretch participants will receive a Home Stretch certificate. You must be present for both evenings, be on time and participate in the activities of the workshop to be eligible for a Home Stretch certificate. If you are over 10 minutes late, you will not be entered in the class.

FRAMEWORK Online Homebuyer Education Program

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.

Pre-Purchase Counseling

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.

Forms

Forms for your pre-purchase appointment can be accessed below.

Pre-Purchase Counseling Intake Packet

Program Disclosure

Privacy Act Notice

Credit Report Authorization

These forms are required, and must be completed and returned 24 hours in advance of your appointment. If documents are not received, clients will be sent a notice to reschedule via email.

Refinance Counseling

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 in $30 per household. The fee is nonrefundable and must be paid via cash or check at the time of counseling or in advance of phone counseling. CDA may, at its discretion, choose to waive fees in some situations.

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

Homebuyer Education Program Brochure