Short answer
NH Housing offers an online homebuyer education course, Becoming a Homeowner, that takes about three hours in three modules and ends with a certificate of completion. HUD-approved housing counseling agencies also offer classes and one-on-one counseling. Some NH Housing programs and some low down payment loans require a course before closing, so check which one your loan accepts before you sign up.
Who has to take a homebuyer class?
It depends on the loan. Some NH Housing programs require homebuyer education, and some conventional low down payment loans require it when every borrower is a first-time buyer. Other loans don't require it at all. Tom can tell you whether your loan needs a course and which ones it accepts, so you take the right one once.
What is NH Housing's online course like?
Becoming a Homeowner is NH Housing's online course. It has three modules: preparing for homeownership, financing your home, and purchasing your home. It covers credit, budgeting, qualifying for a mortgage, what to expect from lenders and what happens at closing. Each module ends with a short quiz, and you get a certificate after you pass them all. Keep a copy of the certificate for your lender.
Can I take a class in person or talk to a counselor?
Yes. HUD-approved housing counseling agencies offer homebuyer classes and private counseling on budgeting, credit and getting ready to buy. Use HUD's counselor search to find one near you or one that works by phone or video. Ask whether its class meets your loan's requirement.
When should I take it?
Early. The class is most useful before you make an offer, while you're setting a budget and getting pre-approved, and a required certificate has to be in the file before closing. Taking it early also helps you spot questions to ask. See how pre-approval works.
What else should first-time buyers in NH read?
Start with the first-time buyer guide for NH, check who counts as a first-time buyer, and see the NH Housing guide for its programs and limits.
Sources
Checked November 2, 2026. Rules and dates change, so confirm current details before you rely on them.
General information only, not tax or legal advice. Program availability, eligibility and terms vary by lender and are subject to change and to underwriting approval. Not a commitment to lend.