Homebuyer Bootcamp: Preparing to Buy

Homebuyer Bootcamp: Preparing to Buy a home is a big step and knowing where to start can feel overwhelming. That’s why People Driven Credit Union’s Homebuyer Bootcamp kicked off with our first session: Homebuyer Preparing to Buy, a must-watch for anyone looking to begin their homeownership journey with confidence.

Watch the recorded session below for free and download key resources to help you take steps toward homeownership.

Homebuyer Bootcamp Session 1: Preparing to Buy Highlights

1. Why Homeownership Matters

Homeownership isn’t just about having a place to live—it’s an investment in your future. Owning a home can help:

• Build long-term wealth through equity
• Provide financial stability and security
• Offer tax benefits and potential appreciation
• Personalize and control your living space

2. Understanding Credit & How It Affects Your Buying Power

Your credit score significantly affects your ability to get a mortgage and the interest rate you’ll qualify for. In this session, we discuss:

• What lenders look for when reviewing credit scores
• How your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio impacts loan approval
• Practical ways to improve your credit score before applying for a mortgage

3. Budgeting for Homeownership

Knowing how much home you can afford is key to avoiding financial stress. We cover:

• The 28/36 rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing and 36% on total debt)
• How to track income and expenses to build a realistic homebuying budget
• The costs of homeownership beyond the mortgage, including taxes, insurance, and maintenance

4. Mortgage Pre-Approval & Why It’s Important

A mortgage pre-approval is one of the most important steps in the homebuying process. This session explains:

• The benefits of getting pre-approved before house hunting
• What documents you need to gather for a smooth pre-approval process
• How pre-approval gives you a competitive edge when making an offer

Watch the Full Webinar Recording

Watch the complete Homebuyer Bootcamp: Preparing to Buy webinar here:

Download Your Free Resources

1. Pre-Approval Checklist

Use this checklist to gather the required documents and get pre-approved for a mortgage faster.

Download the Pre-Approval Checklist

2. Homebuyer Bootcamp: Preparing to Buy Presentation

Get the full slide deck from the session, covering everything we discussed in detail.

Download the HBBC: Preparing to Buy Presentation

Join Us for the Next Session

Watch our next Homebuyer Bootcamp session, House Hunting Like a Pro. You’ll learn how to:

• Find the right home and avoid red flags
• Tour homes like a pro and evaluate property values
• Make a competitive offer that stands out

Watch Homebuyer Bootcamp: House Hunting Like a Pro

Don’t miss out—this series is your ultimate guide to becoming a confident homebuyer.

Disclosures

Equal Housing Lender. Member First Mortgage, LLC (MFM) NMLS ID# 149532. All loans are subject to credit approval. Terms and conditions apply. Program availability is subject to change without notice.

Available to all members using a conventional mortgage loan program on a purchase transaction with People Driven Credit Union in the State of Michigan. Not eligible on multi-unit properties, condos, townhomes, or manufactured houses. The Loan Example is current as of 9/9/2025 and based on a $200,000 loan amount with a conventional 30-year fixed rate term (360 monthly principal and interest payments of $1,231.43); 0% Down Payment; 6.25% Interest Rate with an Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 6.465%. Rates quoted assume excellent borrower credit history. Payment example does not include taxes and insurance; the actual payment obligation will be higher. The cost of Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) is waived as part of this promotion, to be paid by the Lender. This is not a commitment to lend. All lending products are subject to credit and property approval. Additional restrictions may apply. Member First Mortgage, LLC (MFM) is a partner of People Driven Credit Union. Michelle Dzon #401292, is authorized to act as agent of People Driven Credit Union (24333 Lahser Road, Southfield, MI 48033 | (248) 263.4100 | NMLS ID: 776727) and is authorized to represent Member First Mortgage, LLC, a licensed Mortgage Lender/Servicer (Corporate Office: 616 44th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49548 | (616) 538.1818 | NMLS ID: 149532). For licensing information, please visit www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org. Equal Housing Opportunity.

SAFE Act Compliance Testing:
We conduct annual independent testing of our mortgage compliance in accordance with the SAFE Act (Reg G) requirements.

All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

People Driven Credit Union is an Equal Housing Opportunity Lender NMLS #776727