Housing Counseling:

Consultations are one on one session with an NHDC staff professional tailored to meet the individual needs of each client. In addition to pre and post purchase questions, other topics might include fair housing, landlord-tenant issues, mortgage delinquency and foreclosure intervention. NHDC is a HUD-certified Housing Counseling Agency.

Follow these steps to enroll as a participant in the NHDC 1st Time Home Buyer Program:

  • Contact or visit the NHDC office to obtain a personal intake form and document checklist form
  • Complete the entire application. Make sure it is signed and dated. If there is a co-applicant, make sure that all of their information is provided as well.
  • Make copies of all pertinent documents listed on the Document Checklist. If needed, the Housing Counselor can make copies when you drop off your personal intake form.
  • If you do not have a current credit report (within 30 days), a $10.00(single), $16.00(couples) processing fee should accompany your personal profile intake form and required documents listed on the Document Checklist. The fee should be in the form of a check or money order made out to NHDC. Bring or mail in your completed application packet to: 633 NW 8th Avenue, Gainesville, FL. 32601
  • Make an appointment with the Housing Counselor to begin processing your personal intake form.
  • Meet with the Housing Counselor for a personal and financial assessment and develop a plan to resolve any credit or financial issues. Discuss your goals towards purchasing a home and devise a plan for the next steps towards ownership. It is good to write down any questions you may have ahead of time, and bring a list with you during your consultation. Take good notes. 
  • Enroll in the Financial Fitness or the Home Buyers Education Class.
  • Make a follow-up appointment with NHDC's Housing Counselor.  
  • Start shopping for your Realtor and Mortgage Lender.
  • Congratulations on the purchase of your home!!!!

Who is eligible?

First Time Homebuyers: An individual, couple or family who has not owned a home in the past three years. This requirement can be waived in some circumstances.

Income Eligible Household: There are maximum income limitations based on the size of the household.  Our Housing Counselor and Team can provide you with details.

Homebuyer Training Program: Participant household must attend and complete an approved NHDC Home Buyer Education Seminar, which is held on a normal monthly basis throughout the year

Home Buyers Education Seminar

   

                                                            

                                         

NHDC provides eight hours of intensive pre-purchase counseling through our SHIP and HUD approved Home-Buyers Education Program. The NHDC Housing Counselor facilitates these highly inter-active sessions in a classroom setting. A HUD-approved home buyer’s manual provides the course of instruction outline. The book is supplemented with other learning materials and instructional methods to reinforce content. Graduates of the Program receive a Certificate of Completion that enables the client to access NHDC Second Mortgage Assistance if needed to complete a home purchase. The HBE classes are intended for households who are essentially mortgage ready; they have the credit and financial capacity to purchase a home within twelve (12) months of completing the HBE class.

The following lists the 2007-2008 FY class schedule.  If you are interested in any of these classes, please call our office at (352) 380-9119.

  • October 13th
  • December 8th
  • January 12th
  • February 9th 
  • March 15th
  • May 17th
  • June 21st
  • August 16th
  • September 13th

 

Financial Fitness

The Financial Fitness Program is intended to provide a ten-hour structured course of instruction for prospective purchaser households who require more in-depth and individualized assistance to overcome budget, credit or other financial impediments that are preventing these families from achieving homeownership. The sessions are intensive and require a serious commitment from the enrollee to work with the counselor to overcome the identified obstacles. The class work is supplemented with additional hours of one on one counseling.

Post Purchase

This program will continue to assist clients with housing issues well after they have purchased their home. The classes will be conducted on a quarterly basis. Topics will consist of:

  • Gardening Tips
  • Understanding Your Credit
  • Predatory Lending
  • Foreclosure Prevention
  • Escrow and Taxes