You can do either, however, we recommend (but do not require) that you take the class first. Your one-on-one appointment will be more useful if you have been exposed to the mortgage terminology and concepts that we use in advisement sessions.

No. HomesFund is a HUD approved housing counseling agency. Our inquiry into your credit will be noted on the report, but it will NOT affect your credit score, as we are coded with the credit reporting agency as a counseling agency.

It depends on the program. For HomesFund loan programs, the certificate is valid for 2 years. For other programs such as USDA Direct and CHFA, the certificate is valid for 1 year.