Attend a First-Time Homebuyer Workshop

You can attend a workshop hosted by the City of Oakland (our classes will resume after Shelter In Place [S.I.P.] is lifted) or a workshop hosted by a HUD-approved counseling agency. HUD-approved agencies provide homebuyer education workshops as well as one-on-one housing counseling, budget counseling, and credit counseling to help prospective buyers prepare for a home purchase. The City’s Homeownership Programs will accept your homebuyer education certificate from a HUD-approved agency if it is not more than 2 years old at time of purchase, and if it is from a live class (a live class may be held on Zoom during SIP). Online class certificates are not accepted by the City under normal circumstances but during SIP we are accepting them for MAP and Oaktown Roots programs if the certificates are issued by Framework or by eHomeAmerica).

VIEW LOCAL CLASSES
ATTEND A CLASS THROUGH A LOCAL HUD-CERTIFIED PROVIDER
(800) 569-4287
LOCATE A HUD APPROVED AGENCY BY PHONE
VISIT CFPB WEBSITE
LOCATE A HUD APPROVED AGENCY

COVID-19 Related Service Update

NO CITY-SPONSORED CLASSES ARE CURRENTLY BEING ENROLLED DUE TO SHELTER IN PLACE ORDERS. PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES.

About the Homebuyer Education Workshop

The City of Oakland offers a 5-hour monthly Homebuyer Education Workshop to provide an overview of the home-buying process. You can view the dates available and self enroll by visiting the link above. The City's workshop is not HUD approved.

Workshop topics include:

  • advantages and disadvantages of renting vs. owning
  • establishing good credit
  • basic budgeting and money management
  • deciding how much you can afford
  • roles of professionals in the home buying process
  • down payment, closing costs and mortgage insurance requirements
  • applying for a home loan
  • closing and escrow
  • responsibilities of being a homeowner
  • additional resources for low- and moderate-income homebuyers

Several local organizations provide counseling to individuals and families looking to purchase a home in Oakland and the Bay Area, for assistance preparing to rent a home, or for individuals and families who may have received a notice of default or a foreclosure notice.

You can locate them using the links above or by vising our page Homebuyer Counseling and Education Providers.

For questions regarding the City of Oakland Homebuyer programs please call (510) 238-7486.

Return to the SERVICES FOR HOMEBUYERS page.