Green Mortgage Homebuyer Roadmap
The Roadmap is designed to help you define and achieve your homeownership goals. Through this process you will become more prepared and empowered to make the best decision when it comes to:
- Shopping for a loan
- Preparing for future home expenses
- Making investments to improve efficiency and climate resilience of your home
In order to become a Green Mortgage Borrower, there are eight steps to complete
NOTE: Finance New Orleans Green Mortgage Homebuyer Assistance is COMING SOON! Interested Borrowers who complete the intake form below will be contacted when the new program launches.
Step 1: Register with Finance New Orleans
Fill out this form to let us know you’re interested in becoming a Green Mortgage Borrower and start your homeownership journey!
Step 2: Complete Financial Fitness Training and Homebuyer Education Course
Download List of Certified Financial Fitness and Homebuyer Counseling Agencies
Financial Fitness Counseling
We recommend all borrowers consult with a qualified counselor prior to completing Homebuyer Education.* Our Financial Fitness Self-Evaluation can help you decide if financial fitness counseling is the best place for you to start.
Sign up for Financial Fitness counseling with a qualified partner from our list
*Failure to complete financial fitness consultation will not prohibit a Borrower from qualifying for a loan.
Homebuyer Education
All borrowers must complete a homebuyer education course with a HUD certified agency. Lenders will not work with Green Mortgage borrowers unless they have obtained a certificate of completion, and post-closing education is not acceptable.
Complete Homebuyer Education with a qualified partner from our list
Report your progress through Milestone Form provided by FNO Staff
Step 3: Select a Lender and Apply for a Mortgage
DOWNLOAD THE LIST OF APPROVED PARTICIPATING LENDERS
Your lender is your point of contact to discuss program eligibility and the mortgage application process.
Select a Green Mortgage Lender from our list of participating lenders and update your Milestone Form
Step 4: Shop for your dream home in Orleans Parish
Obtain a signed copy of the Seller Consent Form to provide to Energy Smart before inspection
Complete a Green Home Purchase Milestone Survey once you are under contract for a home
Step 5: Order Whole Home Energy Efficiency Assessment through Energy Smart
Prior to closing on selected home, all Borrowers must order a Whole Home Assessment on their home as part of the inspection process. Borrowers and their real estate agents should coordinate with sellers and sellers agents to coordinate the timing of the Energy Smart Whole Home Assessment.
Register for a Whole Home Assessment with Energy Smart
Receive Whole Home Energy Efficiency Report, Provide to FNO and Lender
Step 6: Sign Loan Documents
The $25,000 Green Mortgage loan can be applied as downpayment assistance, prepaids, and/or closing cost assistance. Your lender will facilitate this process.
Step 7 & 8: Move In and Make Greeen Home Improvements
Green Mortgage Borrowers who successfully close on a green mortgage loan are eligible to apply a $2,500 stipend towards green improvements to their home within one year of closing on their loan.
Contact us at singlefamily@financenola.org to learn more about the qualifying home modifications and how to unlock this additional assistance!
