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HO250: Homeownership Counseling Certification: Principles, Practices, and Techniques, Part I - August 31, 2026 - Atlanta Regional Group Learning
In-person Course | Intermediate
HO250: Homeownership Counseling Certification: Principles, Practices, and Techniques, Part I - August 31, 2026
This course equips you with the knowledge and tools to become a highly effective pre-purchase housing counselor. You’ll learn to evaluate client finances, calculate income from diverse sources, interpret credit reports and assess mortgage readiness. You’ll also gain experience developing action plans, conducting follow-ups and navigating the homebuying process. By mastering these skills, you’ll be able to deliver personalized, compliant and impactful counseling sessions that empower clients to achieve homeownership.
To obtain full certification in homeownership counseling, it is necessary to complete both this course and the HO109 Foreclosure Basics course and successfully pass the corresponding exam(s).
What You'll Learn
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Build skills to guide clients through homebuying, from readiness to budgeting and mortgage basics.
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Teach using interactive, accessible methods that connect with diverse audiences and real-life situations.
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Empower clients with clear action plans and tools for informed, confident homeownership decisions.
Course Schedule
Day 1:
August 31, 2026
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM EST | Lunch break from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM EST
Day 2:
September 1, 2026
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM EST | Lunch break from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM EST
Day 3:
September 2, 2026
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM EST | Lunch break from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM EST
Day 4:
September 3, 2026
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM EST | Lunch break from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM EST
Day 5:
September 4, 2026
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM EST | Lunch break from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM EST
Your Instructor
Ann DiPetta
Faculty Member | NeighborWorks
Ann DiPetta began working in the non-profit housing industry in 1992 as a counselor for homeless and at-risk teenagers, and began working as a housing counselor in 1996. She founded ADR Consulting in 1999 to focus on sustainable strategies to increase and improve housing affordability. Ann has extensive experience in curriculum development and training, as well as grant writing, grant systems development and grant review processes. She has developed content and work plans for non-profits, reviewed and revamped numerous housing-related curricula, and written hundreds of ‘best practices’ on housing-related issues. Ann has worked as a consultant for NeighborWorks America for 25+ years. Locally, she develops and leads local, live homebuyer classes for first-time buyers in Ithaca, New York. Ann has been part of the grant-writing team for the HUD housing counseling grant for NeighborWorks America since 2007. She graduated from the University of New York at Buffalo with a BA in Health and Human Services, is a HUD Certified Housing Counselor and a NYS licensed real estate agent, and has NCHEC Certification in Pre-Purchase Homeownership Education and Rental Eviction Intervention.
What Learners Are Saying
"This course gave me exactly what I needed to get started in housing counseling. The practical tools and real-world examples made it easy to apply what I learned immediately with my clients."
Maria Rodriguez
Housing Counselor, Urban CDC
"As someone transitioning from social work into housing counseling, this course provided the perfect foundation. The content was incredibly relevant to my daily work."
David Chen
Community Development Specialist
"The instructor's expertise really shines through in every module. I appreciated the balance of theory and practical application."
Sarah Johnson
Housing Program Manager
Homeownership Counseling
This NCHEC Certification is awarded to professionals who have mastered industry standards, ethical practices, and high‑impact counseling techniques that strengthen families and communities.
Both courses must be completed within a three-year period to qualify for certification.
Courses needed to earn this credential:
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HO250: Homeownership Counseling Certification: Principles, Practices, and Techniques, Part I (in-person or faculty-led)
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HO109: Foreclosure Basics for Homeownership Counselors (in-person or on-demand)
Learn More
Ready to Get Started?
Join hundreds of housing professionals building the skills to create lasting community impact
