​About the First Time Homebuyer Program

AHCOPA housing counselors will guide you through the steps to become a homeowner! We serve as a support system and education resource for your homeownership journey. Our housing counseling program will help you navigate the pre-purchase and purchase phases. We assist by providing financial counseling so you can make the best decisions for you, based on your priorities and goals. 

Homeownership is one of the best ways to create long-term wealth for you and your family. As a homeowner, you have more control over your housing and the ability to earn equity. There are also more responsibilities and our first time homebuyer program will prepare you for this investment!

WHAT DOES IT COST?
Our counseling is FREE. The only fee associated with this program is the credit report fee. The tri-merge report costs $27.50 for individuals and $53.50 for couples. It is a soft pull, meaning it won’t affect your credit score.

AHCOPA housing counselors Sakinah Lester, Darcel McDaniels, and Dionne Ceardan at a CONVERGENCE Philadelphia event

Program benefits include:

• Access Down Payment Assistance -- Banks, municipalities, and nonprofits are offering more down payment assistance than ever before. We provide the required homebuyer education, and we help you get the most money possible!
• Build Savings -- We work on a personal budget plan for you and, when applicable, help you access savings matching programs.
• Assess Affordability -- We make sure you understand exactly how much house you can afford.
• Build Credit -- We make a personalized plan with you to bring your credit score up to where it needs to be.
• Define Terms -- We make sure you understand the terms of your mortgage and demystify the different terms lenders and realtors use.
• Compare Lenders -- We refer you to lenders with favorable loan terms for first time buyers.

AHCOPA housing counselor, Jasmine Johnson, stands with her realtor in her newly purchased home!

HOW TO GET STARTED
The first step is attending a Homebuyer Workshop -- The workshops are 4 hours long and include speakers from AHCOPA, partner banks, real estate agencies, and other housing professionals. You will have the opportunity to ask questions, please come prepared and energized. 

These courses fill up! Register for one as soon as possible!