Here is a list of resources for home buying and maintenance

 

The First Step to Owning a Home

Family standing next to imaginary home

Buying a home is usually the single largest purchase a person will make. That’s why it is important to make an informed decision. HUD-approved housing counseling agencies across the country provide no-cost or low-cost housing counseling and homebuyer education programs. 

For prospective homeowners, the goal cannot simply be to buy a home.  Rather, new homeowners must consider how they will sustain their financial commitment and build equity in their investment. This is precisely why you need to get as much information as possible at the start of your homeownership journey. 

A homebuyer education course offered by a HUD-approved counseling agency will help you understand the many facets of homeownership, including the difference between pre-qualifying and pre-approval, who is involved in the home-buying process, what types of loans are available, shopping for a home, finalizing and closing your loan and maintaining your home once you’re officially a homeowner.  

In a pre-purchase housing counseling appointment, a counselor reviews your credit and your personal finances to assess how ready you are for homeownership. The housing counselor conducts a debt analysis and reviews what funds you have available for a down payment and closing costs. In short, a housing counselor can help families come up with a plan to achieve their dream of homeownership.

Research shows a strong correlation between housing counseling and mortgage performance.  Delinquency rates for borrowers who have received counseling are 29% lower for first-time homebuyers, and 15% lower overall.  Individuals who participate in housing counseling get individualized, objective advice to help them reach their housing and financial goals. 

When you sign a contract for hundreds of thousands of dollars that spans 30 years, you want to be certain that you are making the right decision for your family.  Homebuyer counseling and education will broaden your understanding of the home-buying process and increase your long-term success. 

To find a list of HUD-approved housing counseling agencies near you, visit http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm