NWBRV’s HomeOwnership Center (HOC) team is looking forward to another vibrant season, as we continue to provide Northern Rhode Islanders with an all encompassing, one-stop-shop for financial literacy, homeownership education, and coaching.
A major component of the homebuying process here at NWBRV, is our eHome American program, which provides crucial homebuyer education. Acting as the Nation’s premiere online homebuyer education provider, eHome offers online homebuyer education ensuring first time homeowners have the knowledge and confidence they need to enter the homebuyer process. Beneficial for a multitude of reasons, this convenient educational option is also a necessary requirement of certain loan products, making it a crucial component of the homebuyer experience.
“Every customer that we serve at NWBRV is unique ” said NWBRV’s Director of HomeOwnership and Asset Building Services, Daynah Williams. “eHome America is a great tool that allows us to meet our customers where they are, while accommodating their need to be educated.”
eHome America’s signature Homebuyer Education course is the certified web-based program for prospective first-time homebuyers. Exceeding national industry standards, this course creates knowledgeable and default-resilient buyers ready for a lifetime of homeownership. Easily accessible through any device 24 hours a day, seven days a week, individuals can learn the ins and outs by taking the comprehensive, fun and engaging course at their own pace.
Buying a home is a serious purchase. Our partnership with eHome America allow our counselors to spend more time one on one with our customers…this is where our life long commitment begins.”
NWBRV’s Daynah Williams
The eHome course curriculum takes buyers slowly through the steps of the home buying process. From preparing for the expenses of homeownership, and increasing awareness on the financial management of homeownership, to eventually post purchase tips, the buying process will be clearly and coherently laid out for prospective buyers throughout the course.
We were fortunate to sit down with Rosa Pastor Santa, Community Lending Officer, Washington Trust, to gain some insight from a lender perspective on the importance of first-time homebuyer education. A former HUD counselor, Rosa conveyed her conviction that for a first-time homebuyer, education is crucial.
“At Washington Trust, we understand the challenges first-time homebuyers face, and how critical education is, to not only help them achieve their goals, but to make appropriate decisions for their own personal financial situation,” Rosa explained. “First-time homebuyer education provides individuals with working knowledge of the mortgage process from start to finish, and provides them with the necessary resources to become a successful homeowner.”
eHome specifically, affords homebuyers an ease of access that they may not find with in-person workshops. The ability to stop and restart the eight-hour workshop at their leisure, take classes from the comfort of their own homes, and work around their own schedules, makes this virtual option vital for many. While often popular with the younger demographic, eHome has proved to be beneficial across the board.
“First time homebuyer education is about empowerment,” Rosa expressed. “Education is knowledge, and with that awareness comes an elevated chance of success with homeownership. I’ve worked with NeighborWorks’ HomeOwnership Manager, Reinaldo Gonzalez, for years, and his one-on-one education and coaching will provide homebuyers with exactly the skills they need to succeed.”
If homeownership is your goal, eHome America will help get you there. Start your journey to homeownership today!
