NWBRV’s HomeOwnership Center, comprised of an enthusiastic, skilled staff, is proud to offer prospective homeowners the opportunity to build the budgets and financial security necessary to achieve their dream of owning a home.
“People ask all the time, ‘Why should I take a Home Buyer Education course, I know how to purchase things!'” John Nimmo, Housing Services Advisor and Educator said. “The actual answer to that, is that buying a house is not the same as purchasing a shirt at a department store. In a Home Buyer Education course, one learns the basics of credit and financial accountability and about the people in an advisory circle, from housing counselor to lender and appraiser to real estate agent.”
At NeighborWorks we’re committed to ensuring families understand their role in the home buying process through an unbiased, unfiltered lens. Without steering potential buyers towards any particular lender, or product, our HomeOwnership Center provides people the information they need in order to make an informed decision to buy a home.
With Rhode Island deep in the throes of a seller’s market, never before has access to an informed home buyer experience been as vital.
“What should a person expect to receive in the process? A whole lot of knowledge and meetings with the counselor to make sure they understand the process and are prepared for the responsibilities of owning a home,” John said.
NWBRV’s homebuyer education classes is broken down into two, four hour sessions. It covers everything from the fine print of homeowner insurance and legal verbiage in a purchase and sales agreement, to the intricacies of a closing document and the realities of life as a homeowner.
For those interested in purchasing a multi-family home, NWBRV also offers landlord classes, where attendees learn the financial and legal ramifications of buying a multi-family home and becoming a landlord. This class provides future landlords the legal knowledge necessary, under Rhode Island law, to successfully navigate the tricky landscape. Our comprehensive course dives into rental collections, taxes, tenant files, lead, types of rentals, tenant selection, and fair housing laws.
“All in all, Homebuyer Education is an attempt to surround the participant in a protective bubble to assist them on their road to home-ownership,” John said. “We offer access to a HUD Certified Housing Counselor to help individuals attain a home, advice on maintaining that home, and access to other services available in retaining their home when facing difficulties.”
These highly informative sessions are invaluable in today’s real estate market. Scheduled from now until mid-December, NWBRV HomeOwnership Center’s education courses are instrumental in obtaining any and all information necessary to ensure an informed home buying experience.
Educational opportunities like these aren’t possible without contributions from area partners like Citizens Bank, whose generous Financial Citizens grant makes NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley’s mission to be Northern Rhode Island’s one-stop-shop for financial literacy and HomeOwnership education and coaching, a tangible reality.
“For me personally, the joy of these courses comes from the idea of how often we help a person who never thought they would own a home. When they close, the joy we see on their faces, and the faces of their families is wonderful.”
John Nimmo, Housing Services Advisor and Educator
To register for an upcoming class click HERE
For questions, contact John Nimmo at 401-762-0993, ext. 209
