First-Time Homebuyers Programs as an Impetus for
Change in Budget Behavior
Gladys G. Shelton (1) and Octavia Hill (2)
The purpose of this study is to
determine whether participation in a First-Time Homebuyers Educational Program
affects budgeting behavior of program participants. The program was created to
assist low to moderate income households in becoming homeowners by providing
information on budgeting and all aspects of selecting, purchasing, and
maintaining a home. A pretest-posttest design was used for an initial
examination of budget behavior of participants in the program. The results
suggest that the program had a substantial impact on consumers' knowledge,
regardless of the participants' gender, race, age, educational level or income
category.
Key Words: budgeting behavior, first-time homebuyers, low income
1. Gladys G. Shelton, Assistant Professor, Department of Housing and
Consumer Economics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30606-3622. Phone: (706)
542-4867. E-mail: gshelton@hestia.fcs.uga.edu.
2. Octavia Hill, Dispute Analyst, Wachovia Bank, 3034 Spring Hill Road, Apt. A, Smyrna, GA 30080.