The manual includes forms designed to familiarize participants with industry documents. Graduates are provided with packets containing information on available properties for sale, and pamphlets advising whom to contact in City government to address specific issues.

A two-hour training class is devoted to Property Inspection Assessment and Appraisals. Clients are expected to complete the inspection form in their training manual once they select a property. This exercise helps the client focus on more than the outward appearance of the prospective property.

Landlording:
New Orleans is a City of double/duplex properties. Many families who own, live on one side and rent the other side earning sufficient revenue to pay the mortgage and other expenses. Professionals in their field teach the Landlord Training classes. Landlording is a business. The Neighborhood Development Foundation's Landlord Training class is designed to teach new homeowners how to manage a small business and increase their chances of success as a new homeowner. The Louisiana Real Estate Commission approves up to 8 hours of Continuing Education Credit for this training curriculum for Realtors and Agents. ~Please check the NDF calendar for dates.

NDF Landlord Training Curriculum:

SESSION I

* Fair Housing
* Tenant & Landlord Rights
* Evictions

SESSION II

* Code Enforcement
* Environmental Control
* Maintaining Property Control

SESSION III

* Taking Care of Business
* Credit & Tenant Selection
* Maximizing Tax Advantages

SESSION IV

* Property Assessment
* Insuring Your Investment
* HANO Specialty Programs

Financial Fitness:
NDF's Financial Fitness course is a comprehensive educational program designed to enhance consumers' abilities to manage their finances, credit, build and sustain their assets, and plan for their financial future.

The program has two phases; it is designed for both individual counseling sessions and group seminars. During the individual session, the consumer meets with our Financial Fitness Consultant to assess their needs and establish their goals. This gives consumers an opportunity to participate in designing a plan of action especially for them.

The second phase consists of seminars conducted by professionals in areas of financial planning and money management, savings and investing, credit, taxes, and insurance. NDF's Financial Fitness program is for everyone.

If you feel that you or members of your organization can benefit from financial guidance or just want to learn more about these topics, please call NDF to schedule a group session or an individual appointment.

EMPLOYEE HOMEOWNERSHIP COUNSELING SERVICES (EHOCS):
Employers can offer EHOCS to their employees. EHOCS is a low cost program for organizations exploring options to enhance employee's stability and help employees increase their assets. The company establishes the criteria for employee participation. EHOCS are tailored by NDF to fit the needs of the workforce and specifications of the employer. Hours are flexible. The extent of Company involvement is at the employer's discretion. Services may range from providing worksite instructional areas to offering direct financial aid to the employee for their home investment.

MINIMUM EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION TO EHOCS ADMINISTRATOR:
A $50 fee is charged for each employee screened. Fees for a variety of individual counseling, education, and training are customized for the organization.

EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTION TO EMPLOYEES IN EHOCS:
None required, however, an employer may choose one or more of the following ways: assist employees with their purchase of training materials, establish worksite instructional areas, provide grants to establish a second mortgage, or pay down payment or closing costs.

Homeownership is not guaranteed to your employees by either NDF or your organization. Those employees who meet qualifications for the service, however, will benefit from excellent training and support services. They will be eligible for preferable financing rates from local banks, local governmental subsidy, and any special supplemental financing that may be available through NDF.

Employees soon realize the value of these services. Homeownership is as important as a retirement plan for your workers. An EMPLOYEE HOMEOWNERSHIP COUNSELING SERVICE is an investment in the future of your company, the community, and your employees.

Pre-Purchase Individual Counseling:
Each employee makes an appointment for an individual counseling session. The goal of the session is to determine which homeownership path is appropriate for the customer at the time of the interview. The required personal documents are reviewed, along with a current tri-merge credit report from Equifax, Trans-Union, and Experian. Strategies are explored and an action plan is outlined.

Post-Purchase Counseling:
Budget and asset management are essential factors during the initial stages of homeownership. New homeowners are encouraged to contact NDF if they encounter any problems related to being a new homeowner. NDF maintains ongoing contact with homeowners through a quarterly newsletter, regular television programs, and the organization's web site.

Reverse Mortgage:
A reverse mortgage is a special type of mortgage for persons 62 years of age and older who own their homes. It allows you to turn the value of your home into cash without having to make monthly repayments and without jeopardizing your rights to your home. In addition, you do not have to pay back the reverse mortgage loan for as long as you live in your home.