Homebuyers Gain Expanded Access to Education, Down Payment Help During National Homeownership Month

ATLANTA, GA, June 15, 2016 – Atlanta-based Down Payment Resource (DPR) and eHome America today announced an expanded partnership to enhance awareness of both online homebuyer education and the availability of programs for down payment and closing cost help, tax credits and affordable mortgages. Homebuyers now benefit from a redesigned online education platform that allows them to directly explore available homeownership programs.

Since 2014, eHome America's nonprofit counseling network have used DPR's search platform to match clients to down payment help. Now, homebuyers can visit a new program search page to learn more about down payment help and get registered for its improved online course. The course also allows consumers to search, find and explore all the details for programs that accept a certificate from eHome America to meet homebuyer education requirements.

The joint effort aims to not only increase the awareness of down payment help and educate more buyers, but also onboard more homeownership program providers with eHome's online education platform. As more state and local Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs) adopt and accept online education to meet their program requirements, more buyers will learn they can achieve homeownership.

DPR tracks nearly 2,500 homeownership programs administered by 1,300 program providers. The average down payment benefit is more than $8,000. Most programs require homebuyer education and, according to DPR's research, more than half of the programs now accept online education.

"Homebuyer education is critical to the development of successful homeowners," said Rob Chrane, CEO of Down Payment Resource. "Today's homebuyers begin online. We're pleased to work with eHome America to integrate down payment program search into homebuyer education so we can reach buyers where they are."

eHome America educates nearly 8,000 homebuyers monthly with its convenient online platform and the personal touch of a trusted, local nonprofit advisor. The platform, also available in Spanish, has helped more than 200,000 homebuyers secure education certificates since 2009.

"We're seeing increasing adoption of online education by HFAs and other lenders, as well as boarder awareness of down payment assistance. Together with DPR, we are educating more than 250 homebuyers every day," said Milt Sharp, president of the eHome Network. "It's been exciting to see how together we can inform and motivate first-time buyers while at the same time giving them the foundation for long-term success as homeowners."

About eHome America

eHome America is an interactive, web-based education program for prospective homebuyers that is linked to local nonprofit HUD-approved housing counseling agencies. The program was developed in 2009 by Community Ventures Corporation, a nonprofit agency based in Lexington, KY. Community Ventures Corporation is a HUD-approved counseling agency and a member of the national NeighborWorks Network.

About Down Payment Resource

Down Payment Resource (DPR) creates opportunity for homebuyers, Realtors and lenders by uncovering programs that get people into homes. The company tracks nearly 2,500 homebuyer programs through its housing finance agency partners. Winner of the 2011 Inman News Innovator "Most Innovative New Technology" award, DPR is licensed to Multiple Listing Services, Realtor Associations, lenders and housing counselors across the country. For more information, please visit www.DownPaymentResource.com.