Our agency is HUD-approved, with counselors certified by The Association of Housing Counselors and the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency to provide a variety of housing counseling services.
Pre-Purchase Counseling
We counsel first-time homebuyers and those looking to purchase a home now or in the future. We help them craft a budget that makes homeownership affordable. We review their credit and explain how to improve their credit score and repair delinquent credit entires. We also conduct full day first time homebuyers workshops - click for details.
Mortgage Delinquency Counseling
We help homeowners who are struggling to make ends meet and who are behind on their mortgage payments. We look for solutions that may improve their siuation, including managing their expenses and debt and helping them work with thier lender in getting their mortgage current.
Foreclosure Prevention Counseling
For homeowners three or more months delinquent and facing foreclosure, we can review options that may still be available to help them save their home. These options include explaining the loss mitigation alternatives that the lender may have offered, getting detailed loan balance information and complete loan payment history from the lender, preparing a hardship letter and support documentation to justify a loan workout, and getting involved when necessary in helping to negotiate a workout plan that is affordable to the client and acceptable to the lender.
Foreclosure Prevention Programs
We can review with the client all programs made available through Federal and State legislation that can help them renegotiate or refinance their loan. These programs are especially suitable for clients with subprime high interest loans with payments that reset periodically to higher rates.
Help for the Unemployed Homeowner
Ourt agency administers a special program financed and underwritten by the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency that is directed to unemployed homeowners in danger of foreclosure. This program can help those who have lost wages due to changing economic conditions or those facing an anticipated layoff. The assistance comes in the form of a 15 year deferred zero interest balloon loan. This funding can bring a mortgage current and make mortgage payments for a limited time while the client is looking for work or enrolled in school to retrain for a new career path. Click here for more details.
Reverse Mortgage Counseling
For seniors (age 62 or higher), we offer the counseling and certificate required to obtain a reverse mortgage loan. These loans are taking out against the equity in the home, and require no payments as long as the homeowner is able to remain in the house. The money can be used to pay off all existing mortgages, to make needed repairs on the house, to supplement monthly income, or to be used as a reserve for future needs of any kind. See this AARP site for lots more details.
