Homeownership

HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM

Availability:
Cook, Lake, and St. Louis Counties (excluding the City of Duluth).

How do I begin my path to Homeownership?

Our goal is to create prepared and educated buyers to navigate successful homeownership. AEOA offers a variety of Homeownership tools to start the journey of owning a home. Our program offers classes, one-on-one counseling, and down payment and closing cost assistance. Classes and counseling are open to all individuals. Please see eligibility criteria below for receiving down payment and closing cost assistance.

Home Stretch Workshops
These workshops are designed to teach a buyer the steps involved in purchasing a home. Local professionals such as real estate agents, lenders, and home inspectors speak about their part in the process. This class is available to anyone and has no qualifications. Please join us for a virtual Zoom workshop! It costs $40 and registration is required 24 hours in advance.

January Class

Thursday
January 16th
9:00AM-5:30PM

Sign Up For
Classes

February Class

Thursday
February 20th
9:00AM-5:30PM

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Classes

Need a different date?

Sign up for Framework and start today!
Online class and at your own pace.

Sign Up For
Framework

One-On-One Counseling Session
Counseling sessions are focused on affordability, types of mortgages, budgeting, savings, and identifying and accomplishing your goals. The counseling is also available to anyone and has no qualifications. It is a FREE service and registration is required.

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Counseling

Downpayment and Closing Cost Assistance
Assistance towards down payment and closing costs for qualified buyers in Lake, Cook, and St. Louis Counties (excluding the City of Duluth). This program is to help families overcome the barrier of having enough funds to meet down payment and closing costs. Qualification is determined in the counseling session.

- - Buyer(s) must complete the Homestretch Workshop.
  - Buyer(s) must complete 1-on-1 counseling to qualify for assistance BEFORE Purchase agreement is signed.
  - The home purchased must pass the minimum Housing Quality Standards Inspection.
  - Buyer(s) must be a first-time homebuyer (or not owned a home in the last 3 years).
  - Buyer(s) must qualify for a mortgage. The counselor will assist in shopping for a mortgage.
  - Buyer(s) are required to pay a minimum of $1,000.00 towards the purchase of property from their own resources. Available mortgage programs may require additional buyer contributions.
  - Household income must be below the following income limits. (80% below the County median income).

Homeownership Income

Homeownership framework

AEOA offers access to Framework, an online learning option. Framework is an alternative course that is designed to help you navigate the home buying process and learn when, where, and how you like. This course is 8 hours and can be completed at your own pace. Please verify with your lender to verify that a Framework certificate is acceptable. The fee to participate in Framework is $75. To get started, visit https://aeoa.frameworkhomeownership.org/Default.aspx