Making Home Affordable - Find a Counselor

Find a Counselor

Why work with a counselor?
A HUD-approved housing counselor will talk to you about your situation and help you decide what mortgage options are best for you. A counselor will explain what documents you will need to provide to your mortgage company and may be able to contact the mortgage company on your behalf.

A housing counselor can also help you make a budget so that you can meet your monthly mortgage payment and other expenses. The counselor will have information about local resources that may be helpful to you.

There is no charge to work with a HUD-approved counseling agency.

Free counseling help

HUD sponsors housing counseling agencies throughout the country that can provide advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, foreclosures, credit issues, and reverse mortgages.

Find a HUD-approved housing counselor

If you are delinquent on your loan payments and need immediate assistance call 1-888-995-HOPE (4673)

Before you call
Use this checklist to ensure you have all the information you will need when you speak to the servicer of your mortgage.

CHECKLIST

Information about your first mortgage, such as your monthly mortgage statement.
Information about any second mortgage or home equity line of credit on the house.
Account balances and minimum monthly payments due on all of your credit cards.
Account balances and monthly payments on all your other debts such as student loans and car loans.
Your most recent income tax return.
Information about your savings and other assets
Information about the monthly gross (before tax) income of your household, including recent pay stubs if you receive them or documentation of income you receive from other sources.
It may also be helpful to have: A letter describing any circumstances that caused your income to be reduced or expenses to be increased (job loss, divorce, illness, etc.) if applicable.

Beware of Foreclosure Rescue Scams - Help Is Free!

Beware of anyone who asks you to pay a fee in exchange for a counseling service or modification of a delinquent loan.
Scam artists often target homeowners who are struggling to meet their mortgage commitment or anxious to sell their homes. Recognize and avoid common scams.
Assistance from a HUD-approved housing counselor is FREE.
Beware of people who pressure you to sign papers immediately, or who try to convince you that they can “save” your home if you sign or transfer over the deed to your house.
Do not sign over the deed to your property to any organization or individual unless you are working directly with your mortgage company to forgive your debt.
Never make a mortgage payment to anyone other than your mortgage company without their approval.

The Obama Administration has launched a coordinated effort across federal and state government and the private sector to target mortgage loan modification fraud and foreclosure rescue scams that threaten to hurt American homeowners and prevent them from getting the help they need during these challenging times. Click here for more information.