Our previous phone number (978-992-4106) is no longer in service. For new business contact Merrimack Valley Housing. Merrimack Valley Housing Partnership (mvhp.org).
The email EOLeary@CoastalHB.org will be in service at least through the end of February 2023.
Coastal is once again able to use the email EOLeary@CoastalHB.org. All's well.
My regular email is not receiving messages. If you email, but do not hear from me, I probably did not get your message. Try using EllieOLeary@gmail.com.
Coastal Homebuyer Education is not planning any in-person workshops. We recommend you contact Merrimack Valley Housing Partnership at Merrimack Valley Housing Partnership (mvhp.org).
Our December workshop, meeting this weekend, is full. If you need a certificate, you can do Framework, the online option. Here is the link: Framework Homeownership | Home.
With
the recent announcement that MassHousing will be suspending its MassDREAMS
grant program as of November 30th, we want to make clear that MassDREAMS is still available through MHP when paired with a
ONE Mortgage.
MassHousing and MHP have taken two very different approaches to the MassDREAMS program. MHP realizes that MassDREAMS is a truly valuable and unprecedented resource and has always intended to operate a program that provides assistance to households in need. We’ve created an infrastructure to ensure that prospective and eligible first-time homebuyers have a fair and equal opportunity to access the program. Therefore, we anticipate MHP’s MassDREAMS program lasting well into 2023.
MHP’s website contains information about the program including a list of participating lenders - https://www.mhp.net/one-mortgage/massdreams
Registration for our November workshop is now closed. We are not registering for our next workshop, meeting in Newburyport on December 10 & 11, 2022. To register send an email to EOLeary@CoastalHB.org for the registration form and additional information including the address.
Registration for our next workshop, scheduled for this weekend November 19 & 20, is closing at 5 p.m. on November 18th. We are already near capacity. Payments received after 5 pm will be credited to our December workshop meeting on December 10 & 11 or refunded.
North Shore Bank will be presenting the mortgage portion of our next workshop. We'll meet in Newburyport on Saturday and Sunday November 19 &20 from 10 am to 3 pm each day. To register email EOLeary@CoastalHB.org.
This new website was built in partnership with MassHousing, Massachusetts Housing Partnership,
and the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission. It contains information
about:
· Down payment
assistance programs across the state
· State-sponsored mortgage products from MassHousing and MHP
· Affordable homeownership opportunities and how to apply for them
Here is the link: My Mass Home.
Thank you to the Institution for Savings for their grant to Coastal Homebuyer Education for their continued support of first-time homebuyer education.
Our next workshop will meet on June 25 & 26 at 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in downtown Newburyport. To register email EOLeary@CoastalHB,org.
After a successful workshop in March, our in-person workshops are up and running again. Our next workshop, meeting in downtown Newburyport, is already half full. We will meet on April 23 and 24 from 10 am to 3 pm. For more details or to register, email EOLeary@CoastalHB.org.
We have returned to our two-option format. Our next in-person workshop will meet in downtown Newburyport on March 19 & 20, 2022 from 10 am to 3 pm. We also have the Framework online option, a series of modules that you do in your own time followed by a one-on-one consultation conducted by phone. To register for either, please send an email to EOLeary@CoastalHB.org.
We are again scheduling our in-person workshops. The proposed dates are listed under "Proposed Workshop Schedule - 2022". Please check in by emailing EOLeary@CoastalHB.org to check availability, times, and meeting places.
We are canceling the workshop scheduled for August 28 & 29, 2021 due to low enrollment and increased Covid concerns. We are offering you a few options.
We have two ways buyers can get a first-time homebuyer certificate - either by taking our in-person first-time homebuyer workshop ($100 per household) meeting in Newburyport or by taking the Framework online course ($75 per household) followed by a one-on-one consultation ($25) conducted by phone.
Buyers completing the in-person workshops get the CHAPA certificate, which is good for Mass Housing, the MHP One Mortgage, and other more local programs offered by local lenders. The workshops meet from noon to about 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday in downtown Newburyport. The address and parking arrangements are given to all registered households. We are not able to accommodate walk-ins.
Buyers doing the Framework program go through a set of seven modules, in their own time, answering a set of questions at the end of each module. Some people complete the program in a day or two, others may take longer depending on how often they log on. Once they have completed all the modules, we schedule a phone call in which they get to ask any questions they may still have. Those who complete the Framework program get the nationally recognized HUD certificate.
Occasionally a buyer takes the in-person workshop but later gets into a mortgage program that requires a HUD certificate. They can then take the Framework program, but I will waive the consultation.
When people ask me which first time homebuyer program is better, it’s difficult to say because each has its own advantages. The in-person workshop includes guest speakers who actually work in their field, their area of the whole real estate process. Participants get to ask questions of a home inspector, a lawyer, a realtor, or a mortgage originator. I explain it as a safe harbor. You can ask questions without having to make decisions. This may be better for people just starting out, who are just learning about the whole idea of buying their first home.
The Framework program, though, can be done quickly without having to wait for our next scheduled workshop. Occasionally I hear from people who are closing on their home very soon but now realize they need a certificate. They may need it within a week or just a few days. The Framework program is for them, especially if we just finished a workshop and won’t have another one that month.
The best time to take a first time homebuyer workshop is as early in the process as possible. People who take it at the end have consistently told me over the years that they wish they had taken it sooner.
So now we have two options. In-person and online. If you have any questions, please email me at EOLeary@CoastalHB.org. Our schedule is listed on our blog and each workshop is listed on the CHAPA site.
Ellie O’Leary, Executive Director, Coastal Homebuyer Education Inc.
We are starting in person workshops again as of the last weekend in August, meeting in downtown Newburyport - the complete address and other details will be sent to everyone registered. The fee is $75 per household and preregistration is required. To register and receive further details email Ellie O'Leary at EOLeary@CoastalHB.org.
We are gearing up to offer in person workshops again this summer. We are still working out the details, but things are looking good. Meanwhile we can still offer a first time homebuyer certificate through the Framework Program. For more information email Ellie O'Leary at EOLeary@CoastalHB.org.
