In a housing market facing rising prices and economic uncertainty, the University of Florida’s First-Time Homebuyer Program offers information and tools for buyers to make informed decisions on this milestone investment.
The program, offered in-person and online, offers a comprehensive look at homebuying from the prospective stage all the way through closing.
“We’re not just teaching people how to buy a home. We’re preparing them for successful, long-term homeownership,” said Lisa Hamilton, the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension associate program leader. “Our goal is to help Floridians build wealth and stability through informed decisions.”
Ana Mertz, a recent class participant who is working on buying her first home as she grows her family, said the class took the stress and anxiety out of the home-buying process for her, and she feels confident about moving forward now that she’s ready to buy.
“I had no idea how to even get started. The loan process was intimidating, but the workshop broke it down step-by-step,” she said. “I still refer to my notes. It’s a resource that’s incredibly valuable — especially if you don’t have someone who can teach you about the finances behind this important life step.”
Offered by 18 highly trained UF/IFAS Extension agents across the state, the First-Time Homebuyer Program covers qualifying for a mortgage loan, home inspections, navigating home insurance, homestead exemptions, how to choose a realtor and more topics.
Since the class is taught by a team of live instructors, participants can have their individual concerns addressed.
The instructors also provide personal finance education by explaining why homes are important as long-term assets for building generational wealth, which is the primary method of long-term wealth building in the U.S., Hamilton said.
She recalled a story of a participant who had a goal of purchasing a home for him and his three children after his wife’s death. But he was worried – he had some debt, and his savings and credit score were lower than he’d planned due to the financial stress of their loss.
Through the First-Time Homebuyer Program, he learned steps to prepare for the process, and he worked with a UF/IFAS Extension HUD-certified counselor for a year to pay down debt, build his credit score and save for the home purchase. He connected with Habitat for Humanity and was approved for his family’s new forever home.
The two-part program is available to all, and it is a requirement for access to certain financial assistance programs offered through state and local municipalities. UF/IFAS has been a HUD-approved agency for this training program since 2009.
Class costs vary based on the county Extension office you choose – but are typically less than $60 – and scholarships are available upon request. To register, please see the program’s website.
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ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents.
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