Community Development Partnership

Community Development Partnership

Homeownership Education Program

Buying your first home is not easy, especially with rising housing costs and interest rates. The good news is that homebuyer education will help you find resources and tools to achieve your housing and financial goals. Purchasing a home is one of the most important financial decisions you will make. CDP’s homebuyer education includes FTHB (First Time Home Buyer) workshops and Individual Counseling. We are here to help you get started and get closer to your goals of financial freedom and one day owning a home.

The program is being offered in a virtual workshop beginning in October 2024 to June 2025. There are 5 Virtual First Time Home Buyer Workshops (October 2024, December 2024, February 2025, April 2025 and June 2025). Each workshop has 4 classes, each running from 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm for 10 hours.

We also are offering four in-person Group Meetings for participants of the self-paced Framework online course scheduled on the 4th Monday of the month in November 2024, January 2025, March 2025, and May 2025. Each session runs from 6 pm – 7 pm.

February Virtual First Time Homebuyer Workshop dates are:

• Tuesday February 4th | 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
• Thursday February 6th | 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
• Tuesday February 11th | 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
• Thursday February 13th | 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Our First Time Home Buyer Workshop has received the Massachusetts Homeownership Collaborative's "Seal of Approval” from the Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA). CHAPA certification is essential for potential first-time homebuyers to access affordable mortgage products such as those offered by MassHousing, Massachusetts Housing Partnership ("ONE" program), other municipal and government programs and some commercial lenders, and down payment and closing cost assistance programs. The curriculum was developed by CHAPA and includes national Industry Standards (NIS) for Homebuyer Education and Counseling.

The course covers: credit health and budgeting; mortgage process and options; finding the right home and making an offer; appraisals; home inspection; legal procedures and protections; insurance protection; home energy audits and savings and ongoing homeownership. Participants must complete all course requirements listed below to receive an electronic Certificate of Completion. Certificates are active for two years. The course is open to any interested individual or household (2 people).

First Time Home Buyer Workshop Course requirements:

1. Register online for an upcoming workshop
2. Pay the program fee of $50 for individuals and $75 for households.
3. Have access to a computer with working internet, camera and microphone.
4. Participate in all four sessions of the course
5. Submit anonymous Participant Information
6. When all requirements have been fulfilled, each graduate will be emailed a Certificate of Completion that is valid for two years.

Contact Pelinda Deegan at 508-290-0115 or pelinda@capecdp.org if you have any questions.