Enticed by the American Dream, many people engage in finding a suitable road that can get them to the desired destination. Some routes are long and bumpy, often lacking sufficient lighting, and filled with tollbooths, twists, and turns that threaten a safe and timely arrival. On the road to homeownership, it pays to be a successful renter. Studies demonstrate that making timely rental payments, complying with rental policies, and developing good neighbor practices are the building blocks to establishing good credit. Good credit is one of the primary considerations in determining if you qualify for a loan. In addition, a lender will consider your monthly gross income and the amount of cash you have accumulated for a down payment. Finally, a determination of the mortgage you can afford will be based on your income relative to the amount of debt you carry.

Enter rental education. Rental education offers the tools required for renters to improve the management of their resources in an effort to retain and maintain adequate housing for their families, and to establish sound references and better practices for the future. This experience ultimately lays the ground for homeownership.

If you are just getting started, Mutual Housing’s Ready to Rent (R2R) program can give you the confidence to enter the rental arena with the knowledge to succeed until you are ready to buy your first home. If past choices have tarnished your rental experience, R2R can give you the tools to open doors previously closed, or to find new entries to quality dwellings. The program is designed to help you understand the application and rental process, tenant responsibilities, Fair Housing and Connecticut landlord-tenant laws, and as applicable, to take real steps toward repairing credit and overcoming the barriers to housing. The courses address the following subjects: Needs and Wants of Landlords and Tenants, Using Credit and Resolving Credit Problems, Choosing Goals, Tracking Your Spending and Working Your Plan, Shopping for Your New Home and Determining Your Housing Budget, Fair Housing, the Application Process, Moving In, Success Strategies and Communication Skills, Moving Procedures, Termination Notices and Eviction. Your future awaits: good renters are developed with Ready to Rent.

For more information please call Mutual Housing at 860-296-1797.