In 2001, we initiated our first time homebuyer education program, Homeward Bound. The program is designed to help you become a knowledgeable homebuyer by teaching you the concepts that are critical to your home buying process. Homeward Bound will give you the tools you need to be prepared and confident when you find the right home.

Homeward Bound is a HUD approved, community-based, comprehensive homebuyer education course offered in the NH seacoast region. Our seminars are offered to you at no charge. When you graduate from the 8-hour program, you will receive a certificate of completion, satisfying the counseling requirements of many special loan programs* including those of New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority, Maine State Housing Authority,and the Federal Housing Administration.

Seminars are offered in two formats, 4 nights over 2 weeks or a single all-day session. Each seminar session or group of sessions meets for a total of 8 hours and covers the full range of home buying concepts.

Seminar Agenda - Session 1: Nine Steps to Home Ownership, Building Your Financial House, Understanding Your Credit Report. Session 2: Understanding Mortgage Terms, and Shopping for a Mortgage. Session 3: Shopping for a Home, and Home Inspections. Session 4: Closing on Your Home, and Maintaining Your Home & Finances. (All-day seminars cover all subjects)

Program Director, Terry Spires has over 30 years experience in mortgage banking, specializing in residential lending. Terry maintains partnerships with NHHFA, Consumer Credit Counseling Services, REALTORS, banks, municipal programs, NHHFA, Rural Development, and counseling providers. Terry also has an extensive knowledge of low and moderate-income housing programs.
Seminars are offered with the help of professionals from the community who volunteer to present information from their fields. Volunteer presenters are from the real estate, home inspection, finance, credit counseling and title companies.	Terry Spires, program director

Funding for the Homeward Bound Program is provided by Citizens Bank Foundation, New Hampshire Housing Fiance Authority and TD Banknorth Foundation. Additional support is provided by Bank of America, City of Portsmouth, City of Rochester, Federal Savings Bank, NH Housing Finance Authority , Ocean Bank, and the Seacoast and Strafford Boards of REALTORS.

*Please contact these agencies directly for information on the types of special loan programs they offer and their counseling requirements to become eligible.

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of NH - VT
Get information on budget-counseling, debt management, credit report reviews, education and much more.

USDA Rural Development
Get information on homeownership opportunities to rural Americans, as well as programs for home renovation and repair, and guaranteed home loans.

June 8, 9, 15 &16
Stratham NH

September 14, 15, 21 & 22
Dover NH

October 12, 13, 19 & 20
Portsmouth NH

November 13
Rochester NH

December 11
TBD

Scheduled meeting times are 6:00PM - 8:00PM for 4-night sessions and 8:30AM - 4:30PM for the all-day sessions. All sessions total 8 hours.

Dates and times may change, contact us for more information.

Register here!

Note: The Homeward Bound Program is intended as an impartial, community resource – not a lender, real estate agent or developer who might try to promote or sell a particular product or service.