Your path to owning a home starts right here
Tampa Bay NHS offers a FREE, 8-hour Home Buyer Education course that gives you the knowledge, confidence, and support to make homeownership a reality — not just a dream.
8hrs
Comprehensive curriculum
Free
Zero cost to attend
HUD
Certified counselors
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
What is the home buyer education program
This isn't just a class — it's a full roadmap to homeownership, taught by people who genuinely care about your success.
Tampa Bay Neighborhood Housing Services has been helping Tampa Bay area families move from renting to owning for decades. Our Home Buyer Education Program was created for people at the very beginning of their journey — renters exploring their options, families planning for the future, and first-time buyers who want to get it right the first time.
In a single, structured day, you'll gain a thorough understanding of every stage of the homebuying process — from checking your credit score to signing at the closing table.
- ☀️ First-time home buyers
- 📊 Current renters
- ✨ Growing families
- 🎯 Credit-building households
- 🔑 DPA seekers
- 🔄 Recent graduates
COURSE CURRICULUM
Everything you need to know before you buy
Our 8-hour course covers the entire home buying journey in clear, practical lessons you can apply immediately.
01
Credit & budget preparation
Understand what lenders look for, learn how to improve your credit score, and build a budget that makes homeownership achievable.
02
Mortgage financing 101
Decode mortgage types, interest rates, loan terms, and the pre-approval process so you can confidently compare lenders.
03
Down payment & closing costs
Discover down payment assistance programs available in Florida and learn exactly what to expect at the closing table.
04
Home search strategies
Learn how to evaluate neighborhoods, prioritize your must-haves, and work effectively with a real estate agent.
05
Home inspections
Know what inspectors look for, how to interpret reports, and how to negotiate repairs before closing — protecting your investment from day one.
06
The closing process
Walk through every document you'll encounter at closing so there are no surprises when it's time to sign.
07
Post - purchase responsibilities
Prepare for the real work of homeownership — maintenance planning, HOA, insurance, and protecting your home's value long-term.
08
Tax benefits of owning
Explore homeowner deductions and credits that can make a meaningful difference in your annual finances.
09
Industry guest speakers
Hear directly from real estate professionals, lenders, and housing advocates who bring practical insights from the field.
WHY EDUCATION MATTERS
Informed buyers
Informed buyers
make better decisions
Purchasing a home is one of the largest financial decisions of your life. The right education can mean the difference between a smooth experience and a costly mistake.
Avoid common pitfalls
Many buyers overpay, miss red flags, or take on mortgages they can't sustain — simply because they didn't know what to watch for. This class changes that.
Unlock assistance programs
Many down payment & closing cost assistance programs require completion of a HUD-approved education course.
Negotiate with confidence
When you understand the process, you walk into every conversation — with lenders, agents, and sellers — from a position of knowledge and strength.
Build lasting wealth
Homeownership is one of the primary vehicles for long-term wealth building. Starting with the right education sets you up for equity growth, not regret.
EXPERT GUIDANCE
Learn from people who love this work
HUD-certified housing counselors
Our instructors aren't just educators — they're HUD-certified housing counselors with hands-on experience helping families achieve homeownership across the Tampa Bay region.
They bring real-world insight into every lesson, going beyond textbook explanations to help you understand how the market actually works, what local assistance programs exist, and how to prepare financially for success.
HUD-approved agency
Guest speakers from the industry
Throughout the course, you'll hear from guest speakers including mortgage lenders, licensed real estate agents, home inspectors, and title professionals.
These industry voices bring current, practical knowledge to the classroom — giving you direct access to the people you'll work with throughout your homebuying journey.
CLASS FORMAT
What to expect on class day
The Home Buyer Education class is structured to keep you engaged, informed, and energized throughout the full day.
8hrs
Hours of Learning
QnA
Interactive Discussions
1:1
Follow-Up Counseling
REGISTRATION
How to register
Getting started is simple. Follow these steps to secure your spot in the next available class.
01
Call or visit us
Reach our office by phone at (727) 442-4155 or visit us at 608 N. Garden Avenue, Clearwater, FL 33755 to learn about upcoming class dates and availability.
02
Register all household members
All adults who plan to be on the mortgage or title must complete registration separately. Make sure everyone in your household who will co-purchase is registered.
03
Confirm your spot
Once registered, you'll receive confirmation with class date, location, start time, and any materials to bring with you.
04
Attend & receive your certificate
Complete the full 8-hour course and receive your HUD-approved Home Buyer Education certificate — required for most down payment assistance programs.
in partnership with
100% Online · Available 24/7 · Self-Paced
Online Homebuyer Education available to take immediately!
If you cannot wait for one of our Home Buyer Education Classes, our eHome America Homebuyer Education course is a HUD Certified, web-based program for prospective first-time homebuyers that is available when you need it. Exceeding national industry standards, this course creates knowledgeable and default-resilient buyers ready for a lifetime of homeownership.
Easily accessible through any device, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, you can learn the ins and outs by taking the comprehensive, fun, and engaging course at your own pace.
- ✓ HUD-certified curriculum
- ✓ 100% online & self-paced
- ✓ Any device, available 24/7
- ✓ Certificate of Completion
$100
one-time course fee
Sign up for the online course
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UPCOMING CLASSES
Choose your class date
All classes include your HUD Certificate of Completion — required for most down payment assistance programs. Spots fill fast.
We offer our Home Buyer Education class in Spanish. Look for the Español badge below, or filter by language.
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Class available
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CLASS FORMAT
What to expect on class day
The Home Buyer Education class is structured to keep you engaged, informed, and energized throughout the full day.
8hrs
Hours of Learning
QnA
Interactive Discussions
1:1
Follow-Up Counseling
REGISTRATION
How to register
Getting started is simple. Follow these steps to secure your spot in the next available class.
01
Call or visit us
Reach our office by phone at (727) 442-4155 or visit us at 608 N. Garden Avenue, Clearwater, FL 33755 to learn about upcoming class dates and availability.
02
Register all household members
All adults who plan to be on the mortgage or title must complete registration separately. Make sure everyone in your household who will co-purchase is registered.
03
Confirm your spot
Once registered, you'll receive confirmation with class date, location, start time, and any materials to bring with you.
04
Attend & receive your certificate
Complete the full 8-hour course and receive your HUD-approved Home Buyer Education certificate — required for most down payment assistance programs.