Homeownership Connection

The pathway to owning a home just got a lot easier with a network of nationally certified homebuyer education classes and trainers. Let our experts lead you through the home buying process with educational tracks designed specifically for first time homebuyers and landlords.

There are a number of things you can do to help prepare yourself for purchasing a home, but the one thing that will make the biggest difference is educating yourself. The Housing Network and our HUD approved member organizations understand that high quality homebuyer education is the key to successful long-term homeownership.

“I’m really busy and don’t have time to take a class. Does it really matter?”
YES! National data proves that when homebuyers participate in high quality pre-purchase homebuyer education homebuyers have lower housing costs, improved credit scores and are less likely to experience foreclosure then homebuyers who did not participate in pre-purchase homebuyer education.

Our nationally certified homebuyer education program is the only HUD approved homebuyer education curriculum in Rhode Island and is designed to prepare individuals for successful homeownership. Not only will you have expert help to guide you through the homebuying process, but should you ever need guidance down the road, you’ll have access to a HUD Certified Housing Counselor who can answer your questions.

Basic Homebuyer Education

Cost: $99 per household (up to 2 co-borrowers)

What you’ll learn about:

  • Credit and budgeting
  • How much you can afford
  • Understanding fees and costs
  • Purchase process
  • Choosing a lender and mortgage product
  • Down Payment Assistance Programs

Classes are available:

  • In English and Spanish
  • Daytime, evening and Saturday classes
  • 2 hour and 4 hour increments, single day
  • In person, virtual “in –person” and self-directed online
  • Convenient locations in Providence, Pawtucket, Newport and Woonsocket

What you’ll receive:

  • 8 hours of HUD approved Homebuyer Education (group setting)
  • 1:1 session with a HUD certified housing counselor
  • Individualized Action Plan to help get you on track and achieve success
  • Your Credit Report
  • Certificate of Completion (valid for 2 years)
  • Access to a HUD certified housing counselor during and post-closing

Check out our Calendar Page for upcoming classes and registration information.

Are you interested in owning a multi-family? Do you want a better understanding of what it takes to be a good landlord? This 3-hour class is designed to cover the basics on your rights and responsibilities as a landlord under Rhode Island law and provides you with the tools you need to successfully rent your unit.

Landlord Education

Cost: $79 per household (up to 2 co-borrowers)

What you’ll learn about:

  • Understanding the cost of owning a multi-family home
  • Fair housing law
  • Accepting rental vouchers
  • Elements of a lease
  • Selecting the right tenant
  • Dealing with rent delinquency
  • Eviction

Classes are available:

  • In English and Spanish
  • Daytime, evening and Saturday classes
  • Convenient locations in Providence, Pawtucket, and Woonsocket

What you’ll receive:

  • 3 hours of group education by a HUD certified housing counselor
  • Copy of the Rhode Island Landlord Tenant Handbook
  • Certificate of Completion (valid for 2 years)
  • Access to a HUD certified housing counselor during and post-closing

Check out our Calendar Page for upcoming classes and registration information.

Questions? Contact Niva Barros.

401-721-5680 x 101 or nbarros@housingnetworkri.org

Classes delivered in partnership with:

Frequently asked questions

This means a curriculum has been certified by HUD as meeting their extensive requirements, such as being a non-profit education organization, having a history of serving housing needs, have approved educational content and methods as well as meeting all other standards set forth. The Housing Network program offered by our member organizations is the only HUD approved homebuyer education program in Rhode Island. Whether you take the in person, virtual “in-person” or self-directed online version of our course, they all meet the same standards.

Ask yourself these questions:

  • Do I have a steady source of income?
  • Have I been regularly employed for the last 2-3 years?
  • Is my current income expected to continue?
  • Do I have a good record of paying my bills on time?
  • Do I have significant monthly debt that I’m already obligated to, like student loans or car payments?
  • Do I savings for a down payment?
  • Do I have the ability to pay a mortgage every month, plus additional costs, like maintenance?

If you can answer “yes” to these questions , you may be ready to buy a home. Register for our homebuyer education class to learn more.

Each has its advantages and disadvantages. The advantages to renting include more flexibility to relocate, sometimes overall lower costs, and generally being free of most maintenance responsibilities. But by renting, you lose the chance to build equity, take advantage of tax benefits, and protect yourself against rent increases. Also, you may be limited in decorating as you please or having pets.

Advantages of owning a home include building equity in your home with every payment, qualifying for tax advantages – like insurance, real estate tax, and upkeep – which are likely tax-deductible. You will probably also feel the security, stability and freedom of owning your own home is worth it. On the other hand, it can be more difficult to relocate and you would be responsible for footing the bill of ongoing maintenance.

Your lender will consider your debt-to-income ratio which is a comparison of your gross (pre-tax) income to housing and non-housing expenses to determine how much you can afford. Non -housing expenses include long term debts like student loans and car payments, short term debt like credit cards, and child support and alimony payments you are responsible to make. A lender will also consider your credit history and how much cash you have available for a down payment and closing costs in determining a maximum loan amount. Register for our homebuyer education course to learn more about this topic.

A pre-qualification is less formal than a pre-approval. It is an estimate of what you can afford based on what you tell a lender your income and debts are. A pre-approval will require that you’ve provided your lender with documentation related to your income and expenses, allowing them to determine an exact amount they’d be willing to lend you.


Have more questions you want to get answered about the homebuying process?
Check out our Calendar Page for upcoming classes and registration information.

1070 Main Street
Pawtucket, RI 02860
(401) 721-5680

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