Counseling & Outreach Programs

Mortgage Counseling

Deciding on the mortgage to finance your home is one of the most important decisions of your life. At the outset, your house is probably going to be the biggest investment you will ever make, involving both your time and your money. Our professional loan processing staff will work closely with you through this process.

Our primary source for providing financing to our home buyers is the USDA Rural Housing Services. The USDA RD program features loans with subsidized payments for qualified very low and low income borrowers. Other financing options may be available based on income and credit-worthiness.

Key Benefits:

  • Confidential and private counseling
  • Access to programs not readily available to other builders
  • Homebuyer Counseling Programs

Credit Counseling

Homes In Partnership, Inc. is certified by HUD for our homebuyer counseling program. Our counseling staff includes 2 HUD certified housing counselors who educate the consumers  about the benefits and responsibilities of homeownership. Education is provided through one on one counseling with clients and through group homebuyer workshops.

The information covered includes:

  • Pre-Purchase Counseling
  • Home Ownership Counseling
  • Self-Help Housing Counseling
  • Credit Counseling
  • Post Purchase Counseling
  • Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing
  • Preventive Maintenance
  • Consumer Protection Issues
  • Predatory Lending

Ongoing credit counseling is offered from time of initial application to loan closing. Home ownership is sometimes a long term goal and potential home buyers must take the necessary steps to resolve their credit problems in order to clean the way for their application approval.

Our Post Purchase Counseling Classes are used to instruct our new homeowners on preventive maintenance tasks and how to do simple indoor and outdoor repairs. We reinforce the important of meeting their financial obligations on their home and with other creditors. We stress the importance of applying for Homestead Exemption and maintaining home owner insurance policies to be sure their house and belongings are protected.

We have found education to be the key to happy homeownership for every family.

Key Benefits:

  • Borrowers are better educated about their homeownership responsibilities
  • More families are able to qualify for homeownership
  • Families are better able to maintain their homes and neighborhoods.

Outreach

Spreading the word about our program and recruiting those families that would benefit from our plan is an ongoing project for our staff. Our housing staff works with local churches and community organizations to help bring the message to the areas we serve and help us identify those families that may not be aware of the home ownership opportunity we can provide.

In 1999 with the assistance of a donation from the Edythe Bush Charitable Foundation we were able to purchase an RV that has enabled us to expand into other areas without the expense of maintain an office there. We continue to use the RV today to provide counseling and information to communities that are in areas that are too far away for families to come to our established offices.

Key Benefits:

  • Provides community awareness of our program
  • Facilitates efforts of loan processing staff to coordinate assistance programs for families
  • Familiarizes families with the mortgage and qualifying process.
  • Promotes understanding within the community of HIP’s role in meeting the housing goals