​​​​Homebuyer education, sometimes called housing or pre-purchase counseling, helps homebuyers prepare for purchasing a home and the many new challenges of being a homeowner. Homebuyer education can be any class approved by HUD, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac, as long as it meets the insurer and master servicer requirements. If you are receiving funds from another source, you must meet any requirements established by that funding source.

All borrowers (with the exception of refinance borrowers) must complete homebuyer education prior to approval​, but we strongly encourage taking the homebuyer education prior to signing a contract. Not only will this help you be fully informed about the process and requirements, but counseling agencies can often help identify sources of assistance. Talk to one of our state-approved mortgage lenders to make sure you understand how homebuyer education fits into your financing situation. Homebuyer education must be completed and a certificate issued within 12 months prior to settlement.

Some Homebuyer Education Options (note that some classes have registration costs)

• HUD-Approved Counseling Agencies​
• ​​National Industry Standards (NIS) Counseling Agencies​
• Online classes​
  • Arch MI (HUD & Freddie Mac approved) ​(Source Code: Arch MI)
  • HomeView (FNMA approved, available in Spanish)
  • Housing Options & Planning E​nterprises, Inc. (HOPE) (HUD-approved, available in Spanish)
  • Esse​nt​​ (HUD-approved, available in Spanish)​
  • Framework​ (HUD-approved, available in Spanish)​
  • MGIC​ (Finally Home! HUD-approved)

PLEASE NOTE: For loans purchased on or after January 1, 2021, Fannie Mae issued guidance that acceptable homebuyer education has to be HomeView​ or approved by HUD or NIS (see links above). MMP does not review for compliance with this FNMA requirement, but it can impact loan purchase.