First-Time Buyers · Education · Los Angeles
Where Can I Find a First-Time Home Buyer Seminar in Los Angeles?
Justin Borges, DRE #01940318 · 9 min read
For Greater LA first-time buyers who want a live answer right now: our free weekly webinar runs every Thursday at 6 PM Pacific at theborgesrealestateteam.com/register/fthb (disclosure: this is our free weekly webinar, hosted by Justin Borges). For a HUD-approved certificate required by CalHFA, LAHD, or LACDA loan programs, you will need a nonprofit counseling agency seminar: NHS LA County, FACE LA, or Habitat for Humanity Greater LA all offer 8-hour HUD-certified courses. Both paths are explained below.
Read this alongside our complete first-time buyer guide for Greater Los Angeles, which walks through the full purchase process from pre-approval to closing.
What You Will Learn
- What First-Time Home Buyer Seminar Options Exist in Los Angeles?
- Which HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies Serve Los Angeles?
- Do You Need a HUD Certificate to Buy a Home in Los Angeles?
- What Does California's CalHFA Program Require for Homebuyer Education in Los Angeles?
- What Does the City of Los Angeles LAHD or LACDA Require Before Giving Down Payment Help?
- Los Angeles First-Time Buyer Seminar Provider Comparison
- How Does the Free Thursday Webinar Help Los Angeles First-Time Buyers?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What First-Time Home Buyer Seminar Options Exist in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles County buyers looking for a first-time home buyer seminar have two genuinely different paths depending on what they need: a free educational session to understand the process, or a formal 8-hour HUD-certified course that produces a certificate required by down payment assistance programs.
For free, immediate education, our Thursday 6 PM weekly webinar at theborgesrealestateteam.com/register/fthb covers exactly what Los Angeles County first-time buyers ask most: income requirements, LAHD LIPA and MIPA programs, CalHFA Dream For All, how much cash you actually need at closing, and what a buyer's agent agreement means post-NAR-settlement. Attendance is free. No certificate is issued because it is a live Q&A format, not a formal counseling course.
For a certificate that satisfies lender requirements, you need a HUD-approved 8-hour homebuyer education course from a nonprofit housing counseling agency. Los Angeles County is served by several of them: NHS LA County (Neighborhood Housing Services), FACE LA (Faith and Community Empowerment), Habitat for Humanity of Greater LA, and West Angeles CDC are among the most active providers (HUD Housing Counseling Agency Directory, as of July 2026). Costs range from free to approximately $125 depending on the agency and format.
"Most buyers I work with in Los Angeles come to me after they've already googled seminars. What they actually need first is a clear answer to one question: do you need a certificate, or do you just need someone to walk you through the process? Those are two very different things."
Justin Borges, REALTOR, licensed since October 2013, $200M+ closedThe right starting point depends on your next step. If you are applying for CalHFA Dream For All or a LAHD purchase assistance loan, you need the formal certificate first. If you are still figuring out whether you can afford a home in Los Angeles at all, the Thursday webinar is the faster, lower-friction starting point. Visit our income-needed calculator article to run the numbers before you book any seminar.
FREE Weekly Webinar: First-Time Buyer Blueprint for Greater Los Angeles
Thursdays at 6 PM Pacific. Live Q&A format, free to attend, no certificate issued. Covers LAHD programs, CalHFA, down payment math, and the LA buying process. Disclosure: this is our free weekly webinar hosted by Justin Borges.
Reserve Your Free Seat →Thursdays at 6 PM · Greater LA first-time buyers · theborgesrealestateteam.com/register/fthb
Which HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies Serve Los Angeles?
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development maintains a searchable directory of approved housing counseling agencies. You can search it at hud.gov or call 800-569-4287 to find an agency near you (HUD Housing Counseling, as of July 2026). For Los Angeles County, several agencies offer the 8-hour homebuyer education seminars required by most down payment assistance programs.
NHS LA County (Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles County) operates one of the most active homebuyer education programs in the region. NHS LA County's FasTrak Homebuyer Class is an 8-hour comprehensive course offered online and in person across multiple Los Angeles County locations, including Compton, and online sessions on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings (NHS LA County, as of July 2026). Contact NHS LA County at nhslacounty.org or (213) 381-2862 to confirm current schedules and pricing.
FACE LA (Faith and Community Empowerment) offers a virtual 8-hour homebuyer education course taught by live instructors and guest experts. FACE LA's sessions cover Los Angeles down payment programs including the LAHD LIPA and MIPA grants, credit preparation, and mortgage qualification. Classes are available in English and Korean (facela.org, as of July 2026). Contact FACE LA directly for current cost and registration dates.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles operates as a HUD-approved housing counseling agency and presents homebuyer workshops in multiple formats throughout the year. Successful completion earns an 8-hour HUD homebuyer certificate (Habitat for Humanity Greater LA, as of July 2026).
West Angeles CDC offers an 8-hour homebuyer education course in Los Angeles and is listed as an LAHD-approved education provider (LAHD Approved Homebuyer Education Providers list, as of July 2026). West Angeles CDC focuses on South Los Angeles communities.
Ready to start searching for homes in Los Angeles?
Search Starter Homes in LA County →Do You Need a HUD Certificate to Buy a Home in Los Angeles?
A HUD homebuyer education certificate is NOT required to purchase a home in Los Angeles County using a conventional or FHA loan without down payment assistance. However, virtually every major Los Angeles down payment assistance program requires one as a condition of funding. If you plan to apply for CalHFA, LAHD LIPA, LAHD MIPA, LACDA, or most county and city DPA programs, you must complete a HUD-approved 8-hour course and receive a certificate of completion before your loan can close.
The certificate serves two purposes. First, it documents that you received objective, HUD-mandated education from a nonprofit agency with no financial stake in your loan. Second, most programs use the mandatory counseling session that accompanies the course to confirm your readiness and catch any red flags before a lender commits funds. The certificate is typically valid for 12 months, so timing matters: take the course close enough to your expected close date that the certificate does not expire before your loan funds.
One important nuance for Los Angeles buyers: understanding your affordability ceiling first will help you choose the right seminar. Buyers who take a formal 8-hour course before running any pre-approval numbers sometimes find they do not qualify for the DPA program that required the course in the first place. Run the income math first, identify which programs you qualify for, then book the specific HUD course those programs accept.
Certificate vs. No Certificate: When Each Applies in Los Angeles
Sources: CalHFA Borrower Eligibility (July 2026); LAHD First-Time Homebuyers Program (July 2026); LACDA Home Ownership Program (July 2026)
What Does California's CalHFA Program Require for Homebuyer Education in Los Angeles?
All borrowers using a CalHFA loan program must complete homebuyer education counseling and receive a certificate of completion from an eligible organization before closing (CalHFA Borrower Eligibility, as of July 2026). For Los Angeles County buyers, there are two accepted paths.
The only online course accepted by CalHFA is eHome America's 8-hour Homebuyer Education and Counseling course, available at calhfa.ehomeamerica.org. The fee is $100. Note that the standard eHome America course sold directly through ehomeamerica.org is a different product: CalHFA requires the specific CalHFA-branded version at the CalHFA subdomain. Frameworks and HomeView are not accepted by CalHFA because they do not include a required 1-on-1 counseling follow-up session (CalHFA Borrower Eligibility, as of July 2026).
Alternatively, any HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agency or NeighborWorks America organization offering live or virtual instruction is accepted by CalHFA. Fees vary from approximately $50 to $150. For Los Angeles buyers, NHS LA County, FACE LA, and Habitat for Humanity Greater LA all qualify. If you are using the CalHFA Dream For All Shared Appreciation Loan specifically, confirm with your CalHFA-approved lender which format they prefer before booking a session.
The free Thursday webinar at theborgesrealestateteam.com/register/fthb is excellent preparation for both the eHome America online course and a live agency session, but it does not replace either for CalHFA purposes. Many Los Angeles buyers attend the Thursday session first to understand the CalHFA programs before spending time on the formal 8-hour course.
Explore LA County homes that fit CalHFA loan limits in 2026
Browse LA County Listings →What Does the City of Los Angeles LAHD or LACDA Require Before Giving Down Payment Help?
The Los Angeles Housing Department (LAHD) administers two primary down payment assistance programs for first-time buyers within city limits: the Low Income Purchase Assistance (LIPA) program offering up to $60,000 as a deferred loan, and the Moderate Income Purchase Assistance (MIPA) program offering up to $120,000 (LAHD First-Time Homebuyers Program, as of July 2026). Both programs require applicants to complete an 8-hour homebuyer education course from LAHD's approved provider list before their application can be processed. Contact LAHD's Homeownership General Line at (213) 808-8800 or visit housing.lacity.gov for the current approved provider list and application instructions.
The Los Angeles County Development Authority (LACDA) serves unincorporated Los Angeles County areas and participating cities with its Home Ownership Program. LACDA similarly requires all applicants to complete an 8-hour homebuyer education seminar from a HUD-approved counseling agency as a condition of funding (LACDA Home Ownership Program, as of July 2026). LACDA's program targets moderate-income buyers outside the city of Los Angeles.
For buyers unsure whether a property falls within the City of LA or unincorporated county territory, which determines whether LAHD or LACDA is the applicable program, the Los Angeles County Assessor's website or a quick call to a HUD agency can clarify jurisdiction. An agent experienced with Los Angeles first-time buyer programs can also tell you which program applies to a specific address during the search process. Browse available homes in Los Angeles County now at lametrohomefinder.com/search and text us at (213) 262-5092 with the address for a program-eligibility check.
Los Angeles First-Time Buyer Seminar Provider Comparison
The table below compares the main first-time home buyer seminar and education options available to Los Angeles County buyers in 2026. Cost figures marked with an asterisk should be confirmed directly with the provider, as fees change. Sources: HUD Housing Counseling Agency Directory, CalHFA Borrower Eligibility page, LAHD Approved Education Provider List, LACDA Home Ownership Program page (all as of July 2026).
| Provider | Format | Cost | HUD-Approved? | CalHFA Accepted? | Certificate Issued? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Our Free Thursday Webinar theborgesrealestateteam.com/register/fthb (disclosure: our webinar) |
Live online, Thursdays 6 PM | Free | Not a counseling agency | No (prep only) | No |
| NHS LA County (FasTrak) nhslacounty.org |
Online + in-person, multiple LA locations | Contact for pricing* | Yes | Yes | Yes (8-hr HUD) |
| FACE LA facela.org |
Virtual, live instructors, English & Korean | Contact for pricing* | Yes | Yes | Yes (8-hr HUD) |
| Habitat for Humanity Greater LA habitatla.org |
Multiple formats, varies by schedule | Contact for pricing* | Yes | Yes | Yes (8-hr HUD) |
| eHome America (CalHFA-specific) calhfa.ehomeamerica.org |
Online, self-paced | $100 | Yes (CalHFA-approved) | Yes (CalHFA only) | Yes (8-hr HUD) |
| General HUD Agency (hud.gov directory) 800-569-4287 |
Varies by agency | $0,$125 | Yes | Yes (if HUD-approved) | Yes (8-hr HUD) |
* Contact providers directly to confirm current fees and available dates. Costs change and may vary by income level or program type.
How Does the Free Thursday Webinar Help Los Angeles First-Time Buyers?
Every Thursday at 6 PM Pacific, we host a free live webinar built specifically for Greater Los Angeles first-time buyers. Disclosure: this is our webinar, hosted by Justin Borges, a REALTOR licensed in California since October 2013 (DRE #01940318). No certificate is issued and no product is sold during the session.
The webinar covers: what income Los Angeles County buyers actually need to qualify in 2026, how LAHD LIPA and MIPA deferred loans work and who qualifies, what CalHFA Dream For All means for Greater LA buyers, how much cash you need at closing versus on paper, and what the post-NAR-settlement buyer agreement process looks like. Attendees submit questions in advance or ask live. Sessions typically run 60 to 75 minutes.
Los Angeles first-time buyers tell us the webinar fills a gap that formal 8-hour HUD courses do not: the HUD courses are excellent for regulatory education, but they cover 50 states of context. Our Thursday session is built entirely around the Los Angeles market, Los Angeles-specific programs, and LA price points. Many buyers attend the free webinar first to understand which formal course and which DPA program actually applies to their situation, then use that clarity to make the 8-hour HUD session more productive. Pair the Thursday webinar with our deep-dive on how much house you can afford in Los Angeles before you register.
To attend any Thursday session, register at theborgesrealestateteam.com/register/fthb and you will receive the webinar link by email. Seats are free, spaces are limited per session. Text (213) 262-5092 with any questions before you register.
Browse homes for sale in Los Angeles County while you plan your education path
Search LA County Homes →Quick Reference: Which Los Angeles Seminar Path Is Right for You?
What Is Your Home Worth in 2026?
Already own a property in Greater Los Angeles? Get a free, accurate valuation from Justin Borges, backed by real comps, not a Zestimate.
Get My Free Home Valuation →Still Have Questions? Bring Them to Thursday's Webinar
Every Thursday at 6 PM Pacific, Los Angeles first-time buyers get live answers on income requirements, down payment programs, and the buying process. Totally free. Disclosure: this is our free weekly webinar hosted by Justin Borges at theborgesrealestateteam.com/register/fthb.
Join This Thursday's Session →Greater LA first-time buyers · Thursdays 6 PM Pacific · theborgesrealestateteam.com/register/fthb
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free first-time home buyer seminar in Los Angeles?
Yes. Our free weekly webinar runs every Thursday at 6 PM Pacific and is specifically built for Greater Los Angeles first-time buyers. Disclosure: this is our free weekly webinar at theborgesrealestateteam.com/register/fthb, hosted by Justin Borges. For HUD-approved seminars from nonprofit agencies, costs range from free to approximately $125 depending on the organization; FACE LA and NHS LA County both serve Los Angeles County (HUD Housing Counseling Agency Directory, as of July 2026).
Do I need to take a first-time home buyer class to buy a house in Los Angeles?
No formal class is required for a standard conventional or FHA purchase in Los Angeles without down payment assistance. However, the Los Angeles Housing Department's LIPA and MIPA programs, the Los Angeles County LACDA program, and all CalHFA loan products require completion of an 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education course before funding (LAHD, LACDA, and CalHFA program pages, as of July 2026). If you plan to use any of those programs, completing the course before you go under contract is strongly advised.
What is the difference between a first-time buyer seminar and a HUD homebuyer education certificate?
A seminar or webinar is an educational session with no formal credential attached. A HUD homebuyer education certificate is a document issued by a HUD-approved nonprofit housing counseling agency after you complete a specific 8-hour curriculum and a one-on-one counseling follow-up. The certificate is what lenders and DPA programs like CalHFA, LAHD LIPA, and LACDA actually require. Seminars, including our free Thursday webinar, help you prepare for and understand the formal course but do not replace it.
Which homebuyer education course does CalHFA accept in Los Angeles?
CalHFA accepts the eHome America 8-hour online course at calhfa.ehomeamerica.org ($100) as the only online option, or any HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agency or NeighborWorks America organization offering live or virtual instruction (CalHFA Borrower Eligibility, as of July 2026). NHS LA County, FACE LA, and Habitat for Humanity Greater LA all qualify for California Dream For All and other CalHFA products. Frameworks and HomeView are not accepted because they lack the required one-on-one counseling session.
How long does a first-time home buyer class take in Los Angeles?
The standard HUD-approved homebuyer education course is 8 hours, typically completed in one day or across two half-day sessions depending on the provider. NHS LA County's FasTrak class, for example, is offered as a full-day online or in-person session. The required one-on-one counseling session that accompanies the course typically takes 60 to 90 minutes and is scheduled separately. Our free Thursday webinar runs approximately 60 to 75 minutes and does not count toward the 8-hour certificate requirement.
Can I take a first-time home buyer class online in Los Angeles?
Yes. Multiple Los Angeles providers offer fully online formats. NHS LA County (nhslacounty.org) offers virtual FasTrak sessions on weeknights and weekends. FACE LA (facela.org) delivers its 8-hour course entirely online via live instructors. For CalHFA specifically, eHome America at calhfa.ehomeamerica.org is the designated online course ($100). Our free Thursday webinar is also fully online. Contact providers directly to confirm current online scheduling (NHS LA County and FACE LA, as of July 2026).
Is Justin Borges's Thursday webinar the same as a HUD homebuyer education class?
No. Justin Borges's free weekly Thursday webinar at theborgesrealestateteam.com/register/fthb is a free, live Q&A educational session specifically for Greater Los Angeles buyers. Disclosure: it is hosted by Justin Borges, a licensed California REALTOR (DRE #01940318). No HUD certificate is issued. For any down payment assistance program requiring a HUD certificate, buyers must complete an 8-hour course at a separate HUD-approved housing counseling agency such as NHS LA County, FACE LA, or Habitat for Humanity Greater LA.
How do I find a first-time home buyer seminar near me in Los Angeles?
Three ways: search the HUD housing counseling agency directory at hud.gov or call 800-569-4287 and filter by Los Angeles; visit nhslacounty.org/calendar for NHS LA County's upcoming FasTrak Homebuyer Class schedule; or register for our free Thursday 6 PM webinar at theborgesrealestateteam.com/register/fthb (disclosure: our free weekly webinar, no HUD certificate). For the LAHD LIPA or MIPA programs specifically, the LAHD-approved provider list is at housing.lacity.gov (LAHD First-Time Homebuyers Program, as of July 2026).
Ready to Buy Your First Home in Los Angeles?
Register for Thursday's free webinar, or text Justin directly with your questions. No pressure. No hidden cost. Just straight answers about buying in LA in 2026.
- Free weekly Thursday 6 PM webinar for Greater LA first-time buyers
- LA-specific income math, LAHD programs, and CalHFA guidance
- Licensed since October 2013, $200M+ closed, DRE #01940318
Text (213) 262-5092 Call (213) 262-5092
Browse LA County starter homes →
SMS: sms:+12132625092 · Tel: tel:+12132625092 · Thursdays 6 PM webinar: theborgesrealestateteam.com/register/fthb
