Homebuyer resources and classes
Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County is known for building safe, decent, affordable housing, but we offer much more than our construction program. We also work toward empowering individuals and families to become knowledgable, engaged, successful homeowners by periodically offering public classes, workshops, and other resources. Part of our mission is to help make the entire process of homeownership understandable and accessible. Watch this page for new resources and upcoming classes.
Typically, our workshops and classes might cover the following:
- Understanding your home loan and how to be a responsible borrower
- How to set yourself up for success with credit and loans
- How conventional home loans work versus Habitat for Humanity loans
- What escrow accounts are and why we use them
- Understanding homeowner insurance quotes, policies, and how they work
- How to choose the right homeowner insurance policy
- What is typically NOT covered by your homeowner insurance
Habitat for Humanity Public Home Buyer Education Class
The July homebuyer class is going virtual! Sign up for the class today!
Habitat for Humanity Homeowner Education Classes are FREE & OPEN to the public! If you are a new homeowner or just want the ins & outs of credit, getting into a mortgage or understanding your home insurance policy then this class is for you!
Register today to join Kevin Karber of WaFd Bank & Cassie Robles of Rice Insurance to learn helpful tips so you can succeed with home ownership!
Questions? Please call us at 360-715-9170 or email info@hfhwhatcom.org
Kulshan home-buyer classes
The Kulshan Community Land Trust (KulshanCLT) offers monthly public home-buyer classes to help you prepare for the road to home ownership. Once you’ve completed KulshanCLT’s classes, you will earn a certificate from the Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC). The certificate allows you to take advantage of special loan products, and is a requirement for any of the WSHFC’s affordable loan products. The classes are free but you must pre-register (below) because they fill up fast.
From the KulshanCLT classes you will learn the following:
- How to determine how much you can afford to borrow
- How to shop for a lender
- How to identify credit issues
- How to select the right loan
- How to identify a predatory lender
- How to shop for a real-estate professional
- How to negotiate a home purchase price
- How to evaluate the home you want to buy
Additional Financial Education Resources
The Opportunity Council is a private, non-profit Community Action Agency serving homeless and low-income families and individuals. Our mission is to help people improve their lives through education, support, and direct assistance while advocating for just and equitable communities. For more information on their Job Skills and Money Management classes please visit their website here.
Since 1999, The Whatcom Dream has been providing financial literacy services to the Whatcom County community. Our goal is to provide access to financial literacy to all Whatcom County residents. With access to the right resources, people can become empowered by their own abilities and gain the confidence to fulfill their potential. Our eight-week classes cover basic financial principals in a casual, relaxed atmosphere. We have classes going all year long, in various times and locations throughout the county. For more information visit their website here.
The Whatcom Asset Building Coalition (WABC) is a community collaboration supporting financial self-sufficiency through education and advocacy. Their mission is to foster collaboration in the community to increase the financial stability of people in Whatcom County. For more information and resources click here.