HomeStretch Workshops
Homebuyer education made easy and accessible
When you are ready to consider buying a home, we are here to help. Taught by a HUD certified Housing Counselor, our HomeStretch workshops help potential home buyers understand the home buying process.
Offered year-round in either a lively online classroom environment or in-person, workshops include professional real estate experts, innovative presentations, and a digital manual. Upon completion to the 8-hour workshop, participants receive a certificate of completion for access to down-payment assistance programs.
Upcoming workshops
FRAMEWORK™
FRAMEWORK™ is a high quality, fun way to learn how to be a smart, confident and successful homeowner. It provides the facts you need to become well-informed about every step in the process. To get started visit FRAMEWORK™ or to learn more, view the short overview video.
Many lenders have approved FRAMEWORK™ to meet their requirements for homebuyer education. Check with your lender to make sure online homebuyer education is accepted.
Frequently asked questions
HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR HOMESTRETCH?
1. Complete the registration form with your name, email and phone number and click submit.
2. Complete payment. You do not need a PayPal account to complete payment. You can select the “check out as guest” option to use a credit card.
3. You will be sent to a page to fill out the corresponding intake form. Click the yellow button that corresponds to your selected course date. Fill out the form. It is required for record keeping. In order to complete the form you must verify your signature.
4. Once the form is completed, you will receive an email reminder with a link or information on how to get to the location for the workshop prior to the date.
HOW MUCH DOES HOMESTRETCH COST?
HomeStretch Workshops cost $40 to attend. Payment is due when you sign up to attend.
Some workshops are sponsored by Bell Bank, covering the $40 fees. See “Sponsored Workshops” for more information.
WHAT ARE SPONSORED WORKSHOPS?
Sponsored workshops are fee waived and open to the public. Registration is required as seating is limited. Some classes are available in person versus virtual. Please double check your date.
WHAT IF I NEED TO CANCEL?
Sponsored Workshops: There may be times when unforeseen circumstances arise and households cannot attend a workshop. In this event, a service fee of $20 will be required if a household needs to cancel an existing registration for a sponsored workshop and move it to another sponsored workshop date. A minimum 5 day notice is required so we can reallocate your place to another household. Also note, registration for a new workshop is not guaranteed and is subject to availability of space.
If a less than 5-day notice is provided, households will be subject to a $40 registration fee (per household) for any subsequent workshops they are registered to attend (even if the workshop is offered at no cost). A full payment of the service fee or registration fee MUST be made to Model Cities upon completion of the workshop by the household and before a Certificate of Completion can be provided.
CAN I GET A REFUND?
Refunds will be given if cancellation are submitted by 11:59 AM the Wednesday prior to the class. In order to receive your refund, please submit your proof of purchase to payments@modelcities.org. There will be a $5 processing fee for all refunds.
