CANFIELD — The Ohio State University Extension Office here offers home purchasing education, with extension educator Beth Stefura able to help first-time buyers get their first home.

She has completed her training, including help with financing.

“The certification was a big deal,” said Eric Barrett, area leader for the local extension office. “She had to do a lot of prep to take the exam.”

Stefura continues to provide her usual list of programming that includes financial classes, nutrition classes, diabetes training, food safety classes, mindfulness, stress reduction, and several certification programs.

She can now add a refreshed segment to the homebuyers program.

“I have been offering the homebuyer’s program since 2012,” Stefura said. “Initially, it was a (U.S.) Housing and Urban Development training and certification [obtained] by successfully passing the exam as a HUD-certified housing counselor in order to be eligible to offer the program.”

In 2018, however, HUD changed its guidelines indicating anyone providing this program is required to retake the HUD certified housing counselor exam. This is due to the many changes from HUD over these past few years.

Stefura said she became involved in the program as it helps individuals purchase a home sooner rather than later.

The OSU Extension partners with the Ohio Housing Finance Agency. This partnership blends effective community outreach with rigorous evaluation and serves as a role model that can successfully advance the financial health and welfare of homeowners.

“This program is aimed at stabilizing the state’s communities and includes downpayment assistance, mortgages for public servants and graduates of Ohio public institutions, and mortgage tax credit options,” Stefura said. “All these programs require a mandatory financial education component for the homebuyers.”

That educational component must come from a counseling agency.

OHFA recruits in a competitive proposal process for housing counseling agencies across the state to administer it. Stefura said OSU Extension got approval as a housing counseling agency from HUD in 2010 and it has been partnering with OHFA since 2012.

Stefura completed the recent course to become certified with the new guidelines so she can continue to offer services for local residents.

“This first-time home buyer education program is designed for low-to-moderate income residents,” Stefura said. “It’s based on each individual county.”

While OSU Extension or the OHFA don’t directly make loans for homes, they do work with lenders, credit unions, and mortgage companies across the state to offer loans to loans to qualified buyers.

“I encourage any first-time homebuyer to inquire about the program,” Stefura said.

To be eligible for the OHFA first-time homebuyer program, the potential buyer must have not had an ownership interest in their primary residence in the last three years. Or, they are an honorably discharged veteran, are purchasing a home in a target area, or are purchasing a first home.

“If someone is thinking about purchasing a home, the first steps would be to contact an OHFA approved lender and discuss your options,” Stefura said. “Then contact a Realtor to find a home. Once your eligibility is confirmed, you will begin the process to home ownership. As the HUD certified housing counselor, I will provide your financial education component to meet the qualifications of the loan.”

To find an OHFA approved lender in your area, (the majority of institutions are approved) or call toll-free 888-362-6432 to find an approved lender in the area.

In 2019, OSU Extension received “Ohio’s Top Counseling Agency” award and for 2020, received a “National Award for Housing Outreach.”