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Semcac has experienced staff members who have been accredited to teach Home Stretch. Home Stretch is the Home Ownership Center's pre-purchase education program. Home Stretch is designed to take the mystery out of the home buying process and prepare first-time homebuyers to make the important choices related to homeownership.

Home Stretch workshops cover such topics as:

  • Knowing your financial situation
  • Credit & credit issues
  • The types of home ownership
  • The role of the lender
  • Understanding the loan closing process
  • Your legal rights & responsibilities as a home owner
  • Foreclosure Prevention
  • The role of the realtor
  • Home Maintenance

Some mortgage lenders require borrowers to complete an approved homebuyer education course in order to qualify for affordable mortgage loans. Home Stretch has been approved by many mortgage investors to meet this requirement, including:

  • Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA)
  • Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac (FNMA & FHLMC)
  • Federal Housing Administration (FHA)
  • Rural Development (formerly Farmer's Home Administration)
  • Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corp. (MGIC)
  • PMI Mortgage Insurance Corp.
Semcac offers Home Stretch workshops in Austin and Albert Lea. Spanish workshops are available too. For a complete schedule download the 2007 Home Stretch Schedule. (Adobe PDF file - requires Adobe Acrobat Reader). Visit the Home Ownership Center for other classes offered throughout Minnesota.