Congratulations for taking the first step towards successful homeownership by visiting our website! Our First-time Homebuyer Program will ensure that you are well prepared for the responsibilities of homeownership, empowered to make smart decisions throughout the home buying process, and connected to the most affordable mortgage products, including any downpayment and/or closing cost assistance programs for which you may qualify. The First-Time Homebuyer program includes the Homebuyer Seminar, classroom or online education and one-on-one counseling. NHS of East Flatbush (NHSEF) is certified by Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and NeighborWorks America (NWA).

To get started, please download and complete the attached intake form and submit it to the NHSEF Homeownership Department along with the required documents listed here. If you are not sure if you are ready to begin the home buying process or want to learn more about our programs, attend one of our Free Homebuyer Seminar/Orientations.

Free Homebuyer Seminar/Orientation

Want to buy a home but don’t know where to start? Our free Homebuyer Seminar/Orientation is designed to inform you about NHS’ services, the steps to homeownership, and the resources available to you. This monthly informational session will help you answer the question, “Is Homeownership right for me?” At the end of the session you may complete the application for One-on-One Counseling. Click here for schedule.

One-on-One Counseling

One of our NeighborWorks® certified Homeownership Counselors will serve as your homeownership Coach throughout your home purchase process and will provide you with:

1. A personalized Credit and Budget Analysis –Assessment of your financial profile - including your employment history, credit history and assets - to determine the steps you need to take to be ready to begin the home buying process.
2. A Personalized Affordability Analysis – Assessing and taking into consideration your stable income, assets and financial obligations, your counselor will determine how much home you can afford so you can begin shopping for your home.
3. A personalized Action Plan – A step by step guide to successful homeownership, your NHSEF counselor will work with you every step of the way.

When you are ready to shop for a mortgage, your counselor will help you: access the most competitive quotes, compare the mortgage offers and apply for down payment, and closing costs assistance for which you may be eligible.

Once you have completed your action plan and graduated from the Homebuyer Education course, your counselor will certify you as a "mortgage ready" borrower. This certificate will qualify you for Down payment and Closing Costs Assistance (for which may be eligible) through NHSEF, as well as the best mortgage deals from our partner banks. The fee for One-on-One Counseling is $50.

Homebuyer Education Course (Homebuyers Club)

This course provides you with the information that all first-time homebuyers should know in order to make well informed decisions and become an empowered and educated consumer. The course consists five two-hour sessions covering the following topics:

• Are You Ready to Buy a Home?
• Budget and Credit
• Getting a Mortgage Loan
• Shopping for a Home
• Keeping your Home & Managing your Finances

The fee for this course on-site is $100. This on-site course is taught by NeighborWorks® certified educators and the course fee includes a course manual and homeowner reference guide. Enrollment into the course is determined by our counselors during the one-on-one session. Click here for class schedules and registration information.

Online Homebuyer Education

The Homebuyer Education course is now available online! This will provide you with the means of taking and completing the course at your own pace and convenience. This course takes approximately 8-10 hours and once you enroll, you may stop and start at any time. This online course is also a great way to become familiar with the home buying process even if you are not yet ready to get started. At the end of the course, there will be a test you will need to pass the test in order to graduate, ensuring your full knowledge of the homebuying process. The fee for the online course is $50. Please note: To qualify for down payment and closing cost from NHS and certain first time homebuyer mortgages, you must take One-on-One counseling in addition to completing the course. Please click here to register and enroll in the online course.

Financial Fitness Program

If you need to work on repairing your credit or building your savings, your counselor will recommend the Financial Fitness course. This is a five-week educational course that will change how you manage your money and credit. The course covers such topics as:

• Assessing Your Financial Health
• Setting and Achieving Financial Goals
• Making Wise Consumer Decisions
• Managing Your Taxes
• Protecting Yourself and Your Family with Insurance

The fee for this course is $100.

Landlord Training

NHSEF Landlord Training is a two-hour course covering the basics of being a landlord in New York City. Many homeowners purchase a multi-unit house with the intent that the rental income will help pay the mortgage. All too often, however, homeowners fail to consider the complications that accompany being a landlord, such as: choosing the right tenants, and planning for the necessary legal, financial and maintenance requirements. Landlord Training class covers these topics and more. The fee for the course is $100.00, which includes class materials.

Fast Track Homebuyer Program

This one-day accelerated program is for those first-time homebuyers who already have a purchase contract and a loan commitment from a bank. It includes an accelerated version of the Homebuyer Education course as well as a review of your loan documents. The purpose of the Loan Document Review is to ensure that you understand the terms of your mortgage and to check for any red flags that could indicate any potential abuse of consumer protection laws and mortgage regulations. The fee is $100. Classes are held by appointment only. No walk-ins. To schedule an appointment, please call the Homeownership Department at 718-469-4679. Or click here.

Down Payment and Closing Costs Assistance

In an effort to eliminate possible obstacles to achieving the dream of homeownership, NHSEF offers down payment and closing cost assistance with its General Assistance Program (GAP) and Homeowner Assistance Program (HAP) Loans. These programs are available for qualified first time homebuyers, enabling them to borrow part of their down payment and/or closing costs. If applicable, your counselor will determine the types of down payment assistance you qualify for during your One-on-One counseling session.

HomeFirst Down payment Assistance Program

For many New Yorkers wanting to buy a home, there is not enough money saved for the down payment and closing cost. In order to assist homebuyers, the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) has created the HomeFirst Down Payment Assistance program. It provides qualified homebuyers with up to 6% of a home's purchase price toward the down payment or closing costs on a 1to 4 family home, a condominium, or a cooperative in any of the five boroughs of New York City.

To qualify for this program, a prospective homebuyer must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be a first-time homebuyer
• Complete a homebuyer counseling and education program with NHS or another HPD-approved counseling agency
• Contribute 3% of their own savings toward the down payment or closing costs
• Meet the program income eligibility requirements (click here for income requirements)
• Purchase a 1 to 4 family home, condominium, or cooperative for owner-occupancy in one of the five boroughs of New York City

Other criteria may apply. HomeFirst applications may be submitted by the homeownership counselors after the One-on-One Counseling session is completed. Click here for further details.

Homebuyer Grants

Home Grants of up to $25,000 are available to eligible first-time homebuyers to assist with making home buying affordable. These resources are made available at the time of closing to purchasers of cooperatives, condominiums, single or two-family homes.  Moreover, the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) is sponsoring a program where first time homebuyers, if eligible, can receive up to $20,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance.  Purchasers must meet the eligibility criteria of being low-income earners and first time homebuyer who will occupy the property. Other eligibility criteria and restrictions may apply.  Please contact us for more details.