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Iowa State University is offering an online course to help potential homebuyers in rural areas get the qualifications needed to receive a loan.

USDA Rural Development and other lending agencies require first-time homebuyers to complete education from a certified provider to qualify for the agency’s rural housing loans. Usually homebuyer education is offered in a classroom-type setting in locations throughout the state and during certain times of the year.  These times and locations are not always convenient or cost efficient for rural residents, so ISU extension and outreach started this program to fill that need. The course covers five lessons: preparing for home ownership, shopping for a home, getting a mortgage, closing the loan and being a home owner.