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Home buying might seem fairly straightforward, but it can actually be quite a bit more complicated than expected. A homebuyer education class walks you through the process, from getting pre-approved for a loan to maintaining your home.
Some home buyers find that the class helps, while others take it because a loan or grant program requires it.
Zuleima Martinez-Ramos is from Puerto Rico, but she and her husband wanted to buy a house in Greece, N.Y. They were going to receive some grant money to help with the purchase. However, the grant program required them to take a Homebuyer Education Class.
“After the class, I am more aware of not spending money on things I do not need,” she says. “If it is not a necessity, I will not buy it and just save money. I need money not just to pay my mortgage but also to pay my utilities. I also need money in case my water tank breaks or when winter comes, we need extra money to buy salt or to buy a snow blower.”
Homebuyer education classes are available all over the country, both online and in person. Many different organizations offer them, like housing councils and neighborhood groups.
Check your home buying eligibility. Start here (Nov 8th, 2026)
Who should take the class?
All home buyers can find some benefit in home buying education. However, certain shoppers may find the class more beneficial than others might.
Those who should consider taking a home buying education class are:
- First-time home buyers or those who haven’t bought a home for a while would benefit from all the information and resources
- Home shoppers that need a home buyer education certificate to qualify for a loan or grants.
- People who are already homeowners but want to better educate themselves about homeowning.
- Home buyers working with local housing counselors.
Who teaches the class?
Trained counselors who understand the real estate and mortgage industries teach homebuyer education classes. They help people understand the entire home buying process from getting pre-approved for a loan to preventing foreclosure.
They also usually bring in experts who can explain ways to enhance your property’s value. These experts can also show how to keep it up-to-date without spending a lot of money.
Housing counselors can also do one-on-one sessions before, during and after the classes. This helps home buyers create a specific budget and also teaches them what types of mortgage options are available.
Many organizations also offer home buying classes online.
Susan Boss, then executive director of The Housing Council at PathStone in Rochester, said most of the agency’s households came to the in-person classes.
“Our group education classes are done for pre-purchase only,” she said. “The online course is usually referred to borrowers by lenders, and many times, the class is a requirement to get a loan or grant. They have to finish it before they can purchase the home.”
How much does a homebuyer education class cost?
Many homebuyer education classes are free, and sometimes the lender will pay for it. Other times, the organization offering the class charges a nominal fee. Ask your lender or a HUD-approved housing counseling agency what classes near you cost.
For instance, as of October 2026, The Housing Council at PathStone charges $75 for its full-day, in-person class. Its eHome America online course costs $125. Fees vary by provider, though.
Boss said the in-person fee covered the cost of printing the book every home buyer took home. The agency also had to pay for credit reports, which counselors used during individual counseling sessions.
Which topics does homebuyer education cover?
“We go over everything that is involved in buying a home and maintaining one,” Boss said. “We talk about their FICO score, the true cost of owning a home, tax escrow, banking skills and more.”
Classes also cover disclosures, down payments, shopping for a mortgage, working with a real estate agent, home inspections and appraisals. In addition, they cover the complexities of credit scoring, conservation of utilities, closing costs and maintaining your home once you get it.
What do students take away from the classes?
For Martinez-Ramos, the process of buying a home in New York was much different than in Puerto Rico.
“For example, I didn’t understand why it was so important to get an inspection when you put an offer on a house, and all the things you needed to be aware of like a good furnace, foundation, roof and more,” she says.
She and her husband were able to buy a 1,700-square-foot home with three bedrooms and 1 ½ bathrooms. It has hardwood floors and a wood burning fireplace.
“I heard people talking about the realtor, loan officer and attorney. But since this was my first time buying a house, I did not have a clear picture of the work that each of them do until I took the class,” she adds.
Becky DeVos qualified for a first-time homebuyer club that would help her with closing costs. She took the required home buying class while looking for her dream home in the Webster and Penfield, N.Y., area.
She admitted that she didn’t know about getting pre-qualified before taking the class. The other major topics she learned the most about were home inspections and budgeting finances.
“I will be a great homeowner because after living in apartments, I am going to appreciate my own home and space that I can do whatever upgrades or changes that I want,” she says.
Home buying can be a stressful process, but proper planning and getting the right information can make it better.
Check your home buying eligibility. Start here (Nov 8th, 2026)
