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A HUD-approved housing counselor can play an important role if you have fallen behind on your mortgage payments and may be facing foreclosure.
HUD approved counseling agency staff must possess a working knowledge of HUD housing programs (including public housing), the housing programs available in the community, and the local housing market.
A housing counselor will help you assess your financial situation and offer specific suggestions on what you should do, free of charge.
A housing counselor can:
- Review your financial situation and help you plan a budget and spending plan;
- Help you to contact your lender or loan servicer and prepare a “hardship letter” that explains your situation;
- Identify what workout options are available and the option that is best for you;
- Explain the terms of any refinancing or other options to you.
The documents needed for housing counseling sessions are as follows:
- Copy of your mortgage/deed of trust
- Copy of your note
- Any correspondence from the mortgage company or its attorney, even if it’s unopened
- Any documentation from the courts or the sheriff regarding a foreclosure
- Most recent pay stubs for all employment
- Last two months of all bank statements
- Most recent bills and statements for all expenses
- Last year’s tax return
To find a HUD-approved housing counseling agency near you that provides free foreclosure prevention counseling:
In addition, the national non-profit Homeownership Preservation Foundation provides free foreclosure counseling by phone. Their toll free hotline is 1-888-995-HOPE.
Beware of scams. If someone contacts you and offers to help save your home, be very cautions. Learn more
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