Education and Counseling

Homebuyer Education

Do you want to buy a home, but don’t know where to start? You don’t have to feel alone. NeighborWorks Pocatello is pleased to offer residents of Southeast Idaho the “Finally Home!” homebuyer education class. Developed by Idaho Housing and Finance Association, the course offers participants an objective and detailed presentation of all the information they need to become informed and successful homebuyers. 

Topics include, but are not limited to:

• Budgeting and credit
• Working with a real estate agent
• Obtaining loan financing
• Home inspections
• Insurance
• What to expect at closing

After completing the course, participants will be able to manage the home-buying process with the confidence that comes from having access to trusted sources of information, and an advocate who can provide guidance in reaching their homeownership goals. Finishing the course will also entitle the participant to a certificate of completion often required by lenders to meet eligibility requirements for various loan programs. 

NeighborWorks Pocatello offers three options for completing the course:

1. In-person course
2. Self-study format
3. Online course

Option 1: In-Person Course

For those seeking a traditional learning experience, NeighborWorks Pocatello offers the “Finally Home!” course in an in-person setting held once a month. Classes are eight hours in length, and are either held on a Saturday or divided over the course of two evenings. Participants will benefit from direct interaction with NeighborWorks Pocatello staff and guest instructors, as they explain the home-purchase process in-depth from start to finish. For more information about registering for an in-person course contact us at (208) 232-9468 or email Sean at shargraves@nwpocatello.org.

2023 Class Dates: 

The next class is to be held on September 9, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (208) 232-9468 for more details.

Option 2: Self-Study Format

For those that find a combination of both guided and self-guided learning beneficial, we offer the “Finally Home!” course in a self-study format. Self-study participants must complete eight hours of self-directed study on their own time, using materials provided by NeighborWorks Pocatello. After completing the self-study portion, there will be a follow-up session with our homeownership counselor to complete the course, giving learners an opportunity to ask additional questions and receive personalized information. To sign up for the self-study format call us at (208) 232-9468 or email Sean at shargraves@nwpocatello.org. 

Option 3: Online

For those preferring a more self-directed pace of learning, we offer the “Finally Home!” course in an online format. Online course participants must complete all modules of the online course on their own time. After completing the online course, learners will have the option to a have a follow-up session with our homeownership counselor. This will give learners an opportunity to ask additional questions and receive personalized information. To sign up for the online course click the link below. 

Finally Home! Homebuyer Education is one of the smartest moves you can make when purchasing a home, and it may be required for some of our loan products.  Take Finally Home! early in the home-buying process. 

More Information on Homebuyer Education

Homebuyer Education Course Survey

Housing Counseling and Education Disclosure Form 

Personal Profile Intake Form

Homeowner’s Guide to Success

Homeowners Success Guide

*This document was published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

Education Service Fees

Counseling Service Fees

*Fee waiver available if fee presents a financial hardship. Income limits apply.

Reverse Mortgage Counseling

NeighborWorks^® Pocatello is the only organization in Eastern Idaho with a fully licensed Home Equity Conversion Mortgage counselor on staff. If you are considering or if you have applied for a Reverse Mortgage from a private lender, we can guide you through this process so you may ultimately make the decision that is best for you. There is a fee for this service of $100. More information on reverse mortgage counseling.

Credit Counseling

Consumers need and deserve the best guidance when making the decision to purchase a home. Buying a home may easily be the largest investment a consumer makes. Our housing counselor can provide advice on buying a home, defaults, foreclosures, and credit issues free of charge. NeighborWorks^® Pocatello is a HUD (Housing and Urban Development) approved housing counseling agency. Be sure to contact us today if you would like to speak to our housing counselor.

Foreclosure Counseling

Foreclosure is an ugly word that no homeowner ever wants to hear. While the thought of foreclosure is not something you ever plan for, life circumstances sometimes make the threat of foreclosure a reality. Fortunately, NeighborWorks^® Pocatello offers mortgage default counseling to anyone in need. The program is designed for homeowners currently in the foreclosure process or even homeowners that feel they may be on the verge of missing mortgage payments. Our mortgage default counselor guides the homeowner through the complicated process. NeighborWorks^® Pocatello acts as a mediator between the borrower and the mortgage lender to assist the homeowner in avoiding foreclosure.

There are companies out there offering foreclosure/mortgage default counseling services, but these services come at a high cost and many of these are not legitimate companies; these companies should be avoided. NeighborWorks^® Pocatello, on the other hand, is a HUD-approved foreclosure counseling agency, and all foreclosure counseling is FREE.

Ask Yourself:

1. Are you at risk of foreclosure?
2. Worried about your next house payment?
3. Already missed one or more house payments?
4. Concerned about your interest payment going up?

NeighborWorks^® Pocatello can help! Call 208-232-9468 to set up an appointment.