Homeownership

Educating the public about homeowernship is one of our primary objectives. Helping the distressed keep their home is another.

Homeownership benefits family life, children's lives, and the community. Our counselors can help you understand your options and plan for the future in order to reach your goals.


You can learn about the many options by calling 888-995-7856 to speak with a counselor. You can also complete our online Financial Review and a counselor will examine the information and contact you.

Understanding Mortgages

"Just Right!" You’ve been looking at houses for months and months, and you have finally found it--the house that’s just right. Now, you’re anxious to buy your new home, move in, and get settled. But you still have an important task ahead of you--getting a mortgage loan.

This article explains about dealing with mortgage lenders. It tells you where to look, what to look for, and what takes place when you apply for a mortgage. Knowing what to expect, especially if you are a first-time homebuyer, may make it easier for you to get through the process.

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Shop, Compare, Negotiate

Looking for the Best Mortgage? Shopping around for a home loan ormortgage will help you to get the best financing deal. Amortgage--whether it’s a home purchase, a refinancing, or a home equityloan--is a product, just like a car, so the price and terms may benegotiable. You’ll want to compare all the costs involved in obtaininga mortgage. Shopping, comparing, and negotiating may save you thousandsof dollars.

This information was developed and published by the Federal Trade Commission.

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Home Equity Credit Lines

One solution to overburdensome debt payments is debt consolidation.Using a credit line to borrow against the equity in your home hasbecome a popular source of credit for accomplishing this. Many lendersare offering these home equity credit lines in a variety of ways.

This article presents issues for your consideration before taking this big step.

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Credit And Your Consumer Rights

This article examines the importance of a good credit rating, accurate credit reports, discrimination, debt collection rules, and credit problems. It provides suggested actions for various situations, and how to get credit reports.

This information was developed and published by the Federal Trade Commission.

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How To Check Your Credit Reports

Critical information on how to obtain and understand your credit reports.

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Raising Your Credit Scores

Information on how your score is calculated and 21 tips for raising your scores.

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Refinancing Your Home

Should you refinance your home mortgage? That's a question manyhomeowners are asking, given the mortgage rates that are currentlyavailable.

But, how do you decide if refinancing makes sense in your particularcase? The answer depends on many factors, including your tax bracket,the length of time you plan to stay in your home, and the additionalcosts and charges you must pay for the refinancing.

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Getting Credit: What You Need To Know

This article provides tips on shopping for credit cards, using cards carefully, andkeeping your credit record clean. Also explains credit reports andcredit scores, how to protect your identity, improve your creditrecord, and what to do if you are a victim of identity theft.  Agood source of information for people learning about credit.

This information was developed and published by the Federal Trade Commission.

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Building (or Rebuilding) Good Credit

The definition of credit, the aspects lenders consider before extendingcredit, 10 steps for building credit and rebuilding credit.

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How To Dispute Errors On Credit Reports

Your credit reports give businesses a financial “snapshot” of you. Businesses buy these reports from credit bureaus and use them to make important decisions about you. Did you know that you are responsible for the accuracy of your reports?

4 out of 5 credit reports contain errors!

Inaccurate credit reports could damage one in four consumer’s ability to buy a home, rent an apartment, obtain credit, open a bank account, or even get  job,”  Ed Mierzwinski, PIRG consumer programs director. (Source: www.money.cnn.com/2004/06/17/pf/debt/credit_report)

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