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.

Participating in our FTHB workshops can help take some of the mystery and stress out of the home buying process, as well as potentially save you time and money. Our workshops provide information on budgeting, looking for, selecting, and purchasing a home, and local resources that may be available to buyers. The program is offered virtually beginning in October 2025 to May 2026. Each virtual workshop is four classes, with each class running from 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm for a total of 8 hours.

January Virtual First Time Homebuyer Workshop dates are:

• Tuesday, February 3rd | 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM via Zoom
• Thursday, February 5th | 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM via Zoom
• Tuesday, February 10th | 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM via Zoom
• Thursday, February 12th | 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM via Zoom

Our First Time Home Buyer Workshop is managed by a HUD-Certified Homeownership Counselor and 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 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.