This 8-hour course is valuable to anyone considering a home purchase and is required for many down payment assistance and other lending programs for first-time home buyers. The course will help you make good choices about becoming a homeowner and selecting a home that meets your needs and matches your financial resources. Receive step-by-step instruction from application to closing, as well as determining how much home you can afford; budgeting for homeownership expenses; how credit affects home buying; resources for down payment assistance; mortgage financing options; real estate contracts; and home inspections. Maine hoMEworks offers this course through its HUD-approved, housing counselor MaineStream Finance.