Open houses and the abundance of real estate ads lure consumers into shopping for houses and executing sales contracts before they know what is involved. The Realtor becomes their guide, often directing customers to loan officers, settlement agents, insurance brokers and other professionals choices educated consumers can make for themselves. According to Cleary, Realtors set the tone for the transaction and many are not aware of the benefits that counselors can bring to the process. Most counseling agencies do, however, receive referrals from lenders, usually customers who need homebuyer education certificates to satisfy the requirements of an affordable mortgage loan program. Churches, community organizations, advertising and word of mouth also direct people to counseling programs.
Most agencies offer a combination of both.
Usually the combined sessions require an investment of eight to 10 hours over several weeks, at the end of which customers receive certification that they have completed a homebuyer education program. The Ramseys seminar gave them an overview of the home-buying process. Most housing counseling agencies follow a similar process with new clients. The group sessions serve a number of purposes, not the least of which is confidence building. Prospective homebuyers often come to these sessions with preconceived notions.