Wausau, WI
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Guiding You Through the Homebuying Process
Supporting Homebuyers with the Right Education Resources
The City of Wausau partners with Finally Home!® to help residents navigate the homebuying process with confidence. Through this partnership, borrowers can access comprehensive homebuyer education and individualized support designed to promote long-term, sustainable homeownership.
In addition to Finally Home!, other approved homebuyer education options are listed below to help residents find the program that best fits their needs.
Homebuyer education options to fulfill requirements
While education is beneficial for anyone looking to buy a home, some loan programs require homebuyer education that meets certain criteria as a condition for closing the loan. The following homebuyer education options fulfill education requirements for many mortgage products. Both borrowers and lenders should make sure to choose an education program that meets the loan product’s requirements.
Finally Home! Homebuyer Education & Pre-Purchase Counseling
Finally Home! offers a comprehensive homebuyer education program designed to prepare participants for successful, sustainable homeownership. The program provides step-by-step guidance through the homebuying process, along with access to optional pre- and post-purchase counseling and support.
Please note: Pre-purchase housing counseling through Finally Home! is available only to participants who have completed the Finally Home! homebuyer education curriculum.
Program highlights include:
- Comprehensive online homebuyer education
- Program exceeds National Industry Standards for Homeownership Education & Counseling
- Provided by a HUD-Approved housing counseling agency
- 7-chapter online course covering the homebuying process from start to finish
- Certificate awarded upon completion of all chapters
- Course available in English and Spanish
- Optional, life-of-loan housing counseling with HUD-certified counselors
- Optional, post-purchase education
- Program fee up to $70, with potential for reduced cost based on household income (price determined during course registration)
Other Homebuyer Education Resources
| Fannie Mae HomeView® | Freddie Mac CreditSmart® |
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• Aligns with the National Industry Standards for pre-purchase homeownership education • Meets requirements for Fannie Mae’s HomeReady® program and may also meet requirements for other loan programs • Available in English and Spanish • No fee |
• Multiple learning paths for those in different stages of the homebuying process (only Homebuyer U offers a certificate) • Homebuyer U program meets requirements for Freddie Mac’s HomeOne® or Home Possible® mortgage • Some resources offered in Spanish • No fee |
| GreenPath Financial Wellness | Framework & eHomeAmerica |
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A national nonprofit organization that has helped people improve their financial well-being since 1961. They provide free financial counseling from HUD-certified experts to help individuals reduce financial stress, build budgets, manage debt, and prepare for homeownership. |
Framework Homebuyer Online Education guides you step-by-step toward becoming a homebuyer, providing everything you need to search, buy, and own like an expert. It costs $75. eHomeAmerica is 2-3 hours of financial education online course, you will learn about earning, saving, borrowing and spending habits for a financially healthy life. It costs $100. |
Free Landlord Training Program
Landlords looking to protect their properties, support their neighborhoods, and strengthen their management skills are encouraged to take advantage of the City of Milwaukee’s award-winning Landlord Training Program—offered at no cost.
This program provides practical, hands-on guidance on topics such as tenant screening, proactive property management, identifying illegal activity, and preventing problem behaviors before they impact your property or surrounding community.
Program highlights include:
- Free classes offered regularly throughout the year
- Evening and weekend sessions to accommodate busy schedules
- Flexible formats: one 5-hour session or two 2.5-hour sessions
- A free 100-page comprehensive manual and additional resource handouts
- Training led through a partnership between the Department of Neighborhood Services and the Milwaukee Police Department
Landlords may also request customized training for a neighborhood or organization. To arrange a session or obtain a full schedule of upcoming classes, contact the program coordinator at 414-286-2954.
To learn more and view upcoming class dates, visit the Department of Neighborhood Services website.