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.
3. Attend counseling and develop a tailored action plan to achieve your homeownership goals. See if you’re mortgage ready.
4. Register and pay your remaining homeownership education class fee.
5. Apply for participation in a homeownership or rehabilitation program (if applicable).
6. Attend class.
7. Contact a mortgage lender. Compare loans and payment options.
Download the Gateway Program Roadmap – English & Spanish
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
- Online Homeownership Education Course: $99 for individual or married couple
- 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.
Schedule of Classes
August 2018
Preparing for Homeownership
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.
Find out more »Program Orientation
Self-Help Enterprises is a one-stop homeownership center serving individuals and families looking to start their housing search. Attend an orientation…
Find out more »Program Orientation
Self-Help Enterprises is a one-stop homeownership center serving individuals and families looking to start their housing search. Attend an orientation…
Find out more »September 2018
Program Orientation
Self-Help Enterprises is a one-stop homeownership center serving individuals and families looking to start their housing search. Attend an orientation…
Find out more »Preparing for Homeownership (Two-Part Class)
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.
Find out more »Program Orientation
Self-Help Enterprises is a one-stop homeownership center serving individuals and families looking to start their housing search. Attend an orientation…
Find out more »Preparing for Homeownership (Two-Part Class)
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.
Find out more »Program Orientation
Self-Help Enterprises is a one-stop homeownership center serving individuals and families looking to start their housing search. Attend an orientation…
Find out more »Preparing for Homeownership
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.
Find out more »November 2018
Home Preservation – Spanish-Language Workshop
This interactive class will cover repairs and maintenance, budgeting for life as a homeowner, neighborhood involvement, and maintaining homeownership. Activities will show you ways to respond to challenges that may arise as well as make informed decisions to become a successful homeowner.
Find out more »Financial Management: My Money, My Credit – Spanish-Language Workshop
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.
Find out more »December 2018
Preparing for Homeownership – Spanish-Language Class
Smart, sustainable homeownership, begins with education. Self-Help Enterprises, a HUD certified counseling agency, offers a homeownership education class for those…
Find out more »
Intake Forms
The GATEWAY Brochure
Program funded in part by
“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
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.
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