First-Time Homebuyer Pre-Purchase Education & Counseling
View our videos to learn more about the homebuying process and our program:
The Housing Council’s First-Time Homebuyer Education and Counseling program will provide you with the foundation needed to enable you to attain, maintain, and sustain homeownership. Purchasing your first home can be a complicated process and we want to help you reach your goals without any costly missteps.
For more information please call (585) 546-3700 ext. 3042 or email homebuyer@pathstone.org.
Are you a future homebuyer who is not interested or eligible for grants/down payment assistance? Take advantage of our online Homebuyer Education Class offered through eHome America. The course is accessible on any device 24/7, and you can learn about purchasing your first home while taking the course at your own pace. If you’re not certain of your eligibility for grants, please verify before registering for an eHome course by calling us at (585)546-3700. This course does not meet the requirements for the Monroe County First Time Home Buyer Grant Programs. Visit our Calendar page to see our First Time Homebuyer courses that do meet those requirements.
Steps for the Program:
Register for the Homebuyer Education Class Session 1 - Learn about the first time homebuyer program, pros and cons of renting and buying, how to financially prepare for the home buying process, grants and other incentives. You’ll also get valuable, non-biased information on how the current market is impacting first time buyers. This Session is only part of the the Homebuyer Education certification required by many grants including Monroe County Down payment Assistance, City of Rochester Homebuyer Grants, Homebuyer Dream, and ESL’s Homebuyer Saver’s program.
View our Calendar page for the class schedule.
Complete the Intake Packet — The Intake Packet gives us the information we need to help you with your housing goals. When we receive your completed packet, an intake coordinator will contact you to discuss your next step.
Download Intake Packet Descargue el Paquete de Admisión
Schedule One-on-One Counseling — Once you have completed steps 1 & 2, we will contact you to schedule an appointment. During your one-on-one counseling session, a HUD-certified housing counselor will help you create a personalized action plan to reach your housing goal, determine grant eligibility, discuss affordability and answer your specific homebuying questions. The Housing Counselor will go over your credit, savings, spending, and income to aid in your success, and prepare you for approval for grants or mortgages.
Enroll in Homebuyer Education Session 2. This course features local real-estate experts and goes deeper into the homebuying process - including how to obtain a mortgage, how to shop for a home, the closing process and more. Both sessions are required for the grant certificate, which you will receive at the end of Session 2. Your housing counselor will provide the link to this class, once you’ve completed Steps 1-3, and you will receive your grant certificate once you’ve completed Step 4.
Home purchase - Now you’re ready to take this big step. The housing market is very competitive, so it may take several attempts before you are successful. We will be with you every step of the way to help you make your best decisions.
Post-purchase Homeowner Education – Even after you’ve bought your home, our housing counseling team is here for you. We have guidance on taking care of your home for the long-term, budgeting for repairs, grants, and information for lasting success. Check out our Calendar page for this free class. This is the final step for the City of Rochester and Monroe County grant program requirements.
View our Calendar page for the class schedule.