Smart, sustainable homeownership begins with education. Self Help Enterprises, a HUD certified counseling agency, welcomes you to “The Gateway” offering educational and counseling services to equip you with the tools and resources needed to meet your financial and sustainable homeownership goals. The program will help you qualify for reduced rates or mortgage insurance with some lenders, and for USDA, CalHFA, City and County homebuyer assistance programs.
STEPS:
1. Schedule your initial counseling appointment by calling (559) 651-1000. Pay $25 initial fee. The fee is non-refundable.
2. Complete an Intake packet in English or Spanish and provide requested paperwork within 7 days of scheduling your appointment.
Both in-person and online homeownership education classes are offered to suit your schedule. The 8-hour in-person class is offered bi-monthly in communities throughout the San Joaquin Valley. Prospective homebuyers must attend the entire session. The homebuyer education course is also available online via eHomeAmerica. Upon completion of counseling and the in-person or online course, prospective homebuyers will receive a certificate of completion, which fulfills lending and home purchase assistance program requirements for homebuyer education.
View our schedule of classes below.
Courses, available in English and Spanish, teach prospective homebuyers how to:
Understand the home buying process
Determine your financial circumstances
Manage your credit and increase FICO scores to make homeownership more affordable
Maximize your income and boost your savings
Choose your best mortgage options
Select the right home for your family
Understand the loan closing process
Find down payment assistance, special loans for first-time homebuyers, and other assistance
We also offer free Financial Management and Home Preservation workshops throughout the year.
Please contact The GATEWAY at (559) 651-1000 if you have any questions.
Fee Schedule
Homeownership Education In-person Classes: $75 for individual and $25 for each additional borrower on a loan
Credit report fee for one-on-one counseling: $25 for individual or married couple.
Payment for Homebuyer Counseling and Education must be made in advance via money order, debit or credit card. Payments can be made over the phone when using a debit or credit card. We cannot accept cash. A $25 credit report fee will be collected in order to secure a counseling appointment. The remaining homeownership education class fee will be collected upon class registration.
After one-on-one counseling session with a staff member to review credit repair, budgeting, and develop a tailored action plan for your financial homeownership goals, you will be registered to attend an education class based on individual needs.
Sand Creek Apartments, 41020 Road 124 Orosi,
CA
93647United States+ Google Map
Money management is about choices – choosing how to save and spend your money which is critical in achieving financial security and reaching your goals. This interactive class will give you the tools to set a realistic spending plan, trim expenses, understand how to use credit wisely, and learn how to identify unnecessary spending in order to create financial goals.
Goshen Village II Apartments, 31114 Road 72 Goshen,
CA
93291United States+ Google Map
La educación es fundamental para poder ser un propietario de vivienda responsable y hábil. Self-Help Enterprises, una agencia de asesoría certificada por HUD (el Departamento de Viviendas y Desarrollo Urbano), ofrece un taller educativo sobre los puntos principales acerca el proceso de compra-de-casa, para aquellos interesados en un día ser dueño de una vivienda.
Goshen Village II Apartments, 31114 Road 72 Goshen,
CA
93291United States+ Google Map
La educación es fundamental para poder ser un propietario de vivienda responsable y hábil. Self-Help Enterprises, una agencia de asesoría certificada por HUD (el Departamento de Viviendas y Desarrollo Urbano), ofrece un taller educativo sobre los puntos principales acerca el proceso de compra-de-casa, para aquellos interesados en un día ser dueño de una vivienda.
Bear Creek Apartments – Community Room, 1509 N. Plainsburg Road Planada,
CA
95365United States+ Google Map
Smart, sustainable homeownership, begins with education. Self-Help Enterprises, a HUD certified counseling agency, offers a homeownership education class for those interested in purchasing a home. The class prepares you for the home buying process, including how to secure a mortgage loan, and provides information about down payment assistance opportunities.
Self-Help Enterprises, 8445 Elowin Court Visalia,
CA
93291United States+ Google Map
El taller cubre cómo ahorrar y gastar su dinero, lo cual es fundamental para lograr la seguridad financiera y alcanzar sus metas. Esta clase interactivo le dará las herramientas para formular un plan de gastos realista, recortar gastos, comprender cómo usar el crédito de manera inteligente y aprender a identificar gastos innecesarios para crear objetivos financieros.
Legacy Commons Community Room, 2255 S Plumas St Fresno,
CA
93706United States+ Google Map
Smart, sustainable homeownership, begins with education. Self-Help Enterprises, a HUD certified counseling agency, offers a homeownership education class for those interested in purchasing a home. The class prepares you for the home buying process, including how to secure a mortgage loan, and provides information about down payment assistance opportunities.
Legacy Commons Community Room, 2255 S Plumas St Fresno,
CA
93706United States+ Google Map
Smart, sustainable homeownership, begins with education. Self-Help Enterprises, a HUD certified counseling agency, offers a homeownership education class for those interested in purchasing a home. The class prepares you for the home buying process, including how to secure a mortgage loan, and provides information about down payment assistance opportunities.
Sierra Village Apartments, 1375 N. Crawford Ave. Dinuba,
CA
93618United States+ Google Map
Money management is about choices – choosing how to save and spend your money which is critical in achieving financial security and reaching your goals. This interactive class will give you the tools to set a realistic spending plan, trim expenses, understand how to use credit wisely, and learn how to identify unnecessary spending in order to create financial goals.
Sierra Village Apartments, 1375 N. Crawford Ave. Dinuba,
CA
93618United States+ Google Map
Money management is about choices – choosing how to save and spend your money which is critical in achieving financial security and reaching your goals. This interactive class will give you the tools to set a realistic spending plan, trim expenses, understand how to use credit wisely, and learn how to identify unnecessary spending in order to create financial goals.
Sierra Village Apartments, 1375 N. Crawford Ave. Dinuba,
CA
93618United States+ Google Map
Money management is about choices – choosing how to save and spend your money which is critical in achieving financial security and reaching your goals. This interactive class will give you the tools to set a realistic spending plan, trim expenses, understand how to use credit wisely, and learn how to identify unnecessary spending in order to create financial goals.
Villa de Guadalupe, 12554 Ave. 408 Orosi,
CA
93647United States+ Google Map
La educación es fundamental para poder ser un propietario de vivienda responsable y hábil. Self-Help Enterprises, una agencia de asesoría certificada por HUD (el Departamento de Viviendas y Desarrollo Urbano), ofrece un taller educativo sobre los puntos principales acerca el proceso de compra-de-casa. El taller te prepara para navegar el proceso de compre-de-casa e incluye información sobre programas de asistencia de pago iniciales.
Casitas del Sol Apartments, 1001 B St. Livingston,
CA
95334United States+ Google Map
El taller cubre cómo ahorrar y gastar su dinero, lo cual es fundamental para lograr la seguridad financiera y alcanzar sus metas. Esta clase interactivo le dará las herramientas para formular un plan de gastos realista, recortar gastos, comprender cómo usar el crédito de manera inteligente y aprender a identificar gastos innecesarios para crear objetivos financieros.
Self-Help Enterprises, 8445 Elowin Court Visalia,
CA
93291United States+ Google Map
Smart, sustainable homeownership, begins with education. Self-Help Enterprises, a HUD certified counseling agency, offers a homeownership education class for those interested in purchasing a home. The class prepares you for the home buying process, including how to secure a mortgage loan, and provides information about down payment assistance opportunities.
Casitas del Sol Apartments, 1001 B St. Livingston,
CA
95334United States+ Google Map
El taller cubre cómo ahorrar y gastar su dinero, lo cual es fundamental para lograr la seguridad financiera y alcanzar sus metas. Esta clase interactivo le dará las herramientas para formular un plan de gastos realista, recortar gastos, comprender cómo usar el crédito de manera inteligente y aprender a identificar gastos innecesarios para crear objetivos financieros.
Casitas del Sol Apartments, 1001 B St. Livingston,
CA
95334United States+ Google Map
El taller cubre cómo ahorrar y gastar su dinero, lo cual es fundamental para lograr la seguridad financiera y alcanzar sus metas. Esta clase interactivo le dará las herramientas para formular un plan de gastos realista, recortar gastos, comprender cómo usar el crédito de manera inteligente y aprender a identificar gastos innecesarios para crear objetivos financieros.
Self-Help Enterprises, 8445 Elowin Court Visalia,
CA
93291United States+ Google Map
La educación es fundamental para poder ser un propietario de vivienda responsable y hábil. Self-Help Enterprises, una agencia de asesoría certificada por HUD (el Departamento de Viviendas y Desarrollo Urbano), ofrece un taller educativo sobre los puntos principales acerca el proceso de compra-de-casa. El taller te prepara para navegar el proceso de compre-de-casa e incluye información sobre programas de asistencia de pago iniciales.
Palm Terrace Apartments, 700 W. Hermosa Lindsay,
CA
93247United States+ Google Map
Money management is about choices – choosing how to save and spend your money which is critical in achieving financial security and reaching your goals. This interactive class will give you the tools to set a realistic spending plan, trim expenses, understand how to use credit wisely, and learn how to identify unnecessary spending in order to create financial goals.
“We were first time homebuyers so we were not familiar with anything, but we decided to look for help. The classes were clear and we came away very aware of the requirements and what we had to do to buy a house. ”
~ Tessie Dowers and Virginia Barnes
FAQs
Who can participate in the homeownership education classes?
Anyone interested in purchasing a home can take the in-person or online class. There are no income restrictions for the classes.
How long is my certificate of completion good for?
Typically, your certificate is valid for one (1) year from the date of completion. We recommend that you check with your loan officer to confirm their terms.
Who is required to take the class?
All applicants who will be on the home loan are required to take the class.
Interest Form
If you are interested in homeownership education and counseling services, please complete the interest form. A staff member will contact you and provide more information.
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Interest Form
Please fill out the form.
Interest Form
For Our Realtor and Lender Partners
How can the Homeownership Counseling and Education Program help your buyers?
Empowers your buyers to maximize their income, boost savings, decrease debt or increase their credit FICO scores.
Personalized help to identify and clear any possible obstacles that may prevent homeownership such as dispute or clear credit accounts, and help establish a savings plan to pay off, clear debt, and not to get into more debt especially during the purchase of their home.
Your buyers will qualify for various lending products requiring a certificate of completion from a HUD approved housing counseling agency.
For more information, please contact our staff at (559) 651-1000
Healthy Homes and Communities
Sustainability
Building homes that are energy efficient, use fewer resources, and are affordable.
Community Building
Empowering people to become leaders in their community.
Health & Wellness
Creating and supporting efforts to promote healthy homes and communities.