Virtual First-Time Homebuyer Class - March Sessions

Q: Is attending a First-Time Homebuyer (FTHB) class a requirement to apply for the Habitat Homeownership program?

A: No. Attending the First-Time Homebuyer class is NOT required to apply for the Habitat Homeownership program. If you are interested in applying you need to attend a FREE Homeowner Orientation. Click here to register.

Q: I am applying for a homebuyer program that requires I attend an 8-hour FTHB class from a HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agency. Does this class meet that requirement?

A: Yes. Habitat’s virtual class covers the same curriculum as our in-person, 8-hour class and meets HUD requirements for obtaining the HUD certificate of class completion.

To receive the HUD certificate you must attend all four sessions in their entirety. To prove the completion of all four sessions, participants must:

• Each participant needs to purchase their own individual ticket. The certificate is granted on a per-person basis, not per-household.
• Each participant needs to log into the ZOOM sessions from their own email account using their own device.
• When you click on the Zoom link you will be asked to complete and submit a registration form (first, last name, and email). Access to the meeting will then be granted if the system recognizes the email address.
• Once your identity is confirmed they get access to the meeting and you will be marked as present.
• Throughout the presentation, participants will need to complete knowledge checks and polls. We will also ask them to raise their hands from time to time.
• Participants are also expected to turn your video on.

Q: When do I get the HUD certificate of class completion?

A: We email the HUD certificate of class completion within 48 hours after the completion of session #4. To receive the Certificate of Completion you must attend all four sessions in their entirety.

Q: Does the HUD certificate have an expiration date? Is it valid anywhere I chose to buy a home?

A: The HUD certificate itself does not have an expiration date and is valid in any United States territory. However, the certificate may expire based on the specific policies of the program for which you are applying.

Q: Is the ticket price per person or per household?

A: The ticket price is per person. To receive a HUD certificate, two participants cannot purchase more than one ticket under the same name.

Q: Do you offer a discounted ticket rate?

A: A discounted ticket rate is available to persons whose gross annual household income falls below 80% of the Area Medium Income (AMI). To find out if you qualify contact FTHBClass@habitatebsv.org.

Q: Why do you require participants to turn-on their video?

To receive the certificate of class completion we must have a record that you attended all four sessions in their entirety. The video is the best way we can confirm this in a virtual setting

Q: If I cannot attend all 4 sessions can I get a refund or reschedule? Can I give my ticket to someone else?

A: Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. You can submit a make-up session request one time only within 60 days from the missed session date. It is your responsibility to contact Habitat within 1 (one) week of the missed session(s). If you contact us past this deadline you forfeit your ability to make up the missed session(s). To submit your make-up session request:

• Email FTHBClass@habitatebsv.org
• Specify which session(s) you missed including date(s).
• Specify which session date(s) you are requesting to make up the missed session(s). You can find upcoming dates on our events page at https://www.habitatebsv.org/events.

Q: If I log-in late can I still attend? Can I log-out early?

A: We take a roll call at the beginning of each session. You must log-in on time for each of the four sessions and attend the full sessions to receive the HUD certificate. Access to each session closes 15 minutes after the session’s start time. If you log out early you will not receive the HUD certificate of class completion.

Q. Do you offer the FTHB class in other languages?

A. This class is in English only. Please click here for a list of HUD-Certified FTHB class providers that offer classes in other languages.