Couple holding the keys to their new home Couple holding the keys to their new home

Buying a Home with Confidence

We prepare new homeowners for life after closing.

A Home is More than a monthly payment

There are a ton of reasons to want to buy a home. For many, homeownership is a form of investment, allowing you to build equity in the roof over your head. But there's a big difference between renting an apartment and buying a home, and successful homeownership is about much more than just managing a monthly mortgage payment.

Prepared for anything

MMI offers a variety of homebuyer counseling options. Many of these counseling offerings are geared toward consumers closing on specific loan types who are required to complete counseling as part of the closing process. However, we also offer homebuyer counseling to anyone looking to purchase a home and interested in understanding more about the home buying process.

We also offer online homebuyer courses, which are a great way to prepare yourself for homeownership at your own pace. These courses can be used to fulfill education requirements for many specialized homebuyer programs (check with your lender to verify program eligibility).

Homebuyer Counseling (Telephone)
Available: Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm (CT)
866-889-9347

Online Homebuyer Education Courses
Available: 24/7
Click here to register

Homebuyer Workshops
Search for in-person workshops in your area

Sign up for an online homebuyer education course 

Call 866-889-9347

Counselors available 8am-6pm CT, M-F.

Homebuyer Education Courses
Does your loan program require you to complete an online education course? This is what you need! Available 24/7.
REGISTER NOW
    Resources
    HOMEBUYER COUNSELING
    HOW IT WORKS
    A couple moving into their new home

    In order to help prepare you for homeownership, your counseling session will begin with a review of your finances. The goal is to figure out whether or not you can afford to own your own home, and then create a personalized strategy for either saving for a down payment or managing the ongoing expenses associated with owning a home.

    Your counseling session may also include a discussion of available loan programs and their requirements. Your counselor will provide advice and direction for building a strong credit history and discovering which homes fit most comfortably in your budget. 

    At the end of your session you'll receive a copy of your budget, as well as an action plan created by your counselor and your certificate of completion (if applicable).

    Frequently Asked Questions
    We're here to help! Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions you may have. If your question isn't covered below, click "CONTACT US" at the top of the page to submit your question.
    Is there a fee for homebuyer counseling?
    Is there a fee for homebuyer counseling?

    There are actually a variety of homebuyer counseling options available, depending on whether or not the counseling is a requirement of a loan program. The fee for any counseling that is NOT a requirement of a loan program is $99. Your counselor will advise you of any fees before counseling begins.  

    Do you offer loans?
    Do you offer loans?
    No. MMI is not a lender. Completing a counseling session does not qualify you for a loan, though it may fulfill certain requirements of a loan program. 
    Do you offer down payment assistance?
    Do you offer down payment assistance?
    MMI as an organization does not offer down payment assistance. However, location-specific financial assistance programs may be available. Consult with your counselor to see if programs are available in your area.
    Do you provide counseling in Spanish?
    Do you provide counseling in Spanish?
    Counseling services are available in English and Spanish. Interpreter services for many other languages are also available upon request.
    Will this be reported to the IRS?
    Will this be reported to the IRS?
    We do not report any information to the IRS. Your counseling session is confidential and your participation will not be disclosed to any third party without your permission.
    They've been where you are today
    • I had my doubts in the beginning, but as soon as I got on the phone with MMI I knew I made the right choice. During the interview they ask all your financial details, but it's to help you better understand your situation. Very easy to contact and the process is quick. Thank you so much MMI! I've already started referring friends and coworkers! They need to know there are people really trying to help!
      Mercedes
    • THANK YOU for not looking down on me, for understanding and helping me get back on track in such a courteous and helpful way. I was scared and after working with you I feel like I can handle life again. I know it is not over, but there is light at the end of the tunnel.
      Rose P.
    • Every time I communicated with MMI I was helped immediately and treated with dignity and respect. As anyone who has ever gone into debt they cannot get out of can attest to, one of the horrors is the feeling of hopelessness and zero self-respect. From the very first conversation, I received encouragement and admiration for making that first crucial phone call. I thank God every day for the lessons and help MMI taught me and I have told any body that shared a story that was similar to mine. I cried tears of joy this last month when my final payment was made. God bless you all.
      Shirley A.
    Unbiased, nonprofit expertise you can trust
    As a national nonprofit, we're motivated by the number of families and individuals we can help make positive change in their lives. We want to help you make the best choices for you and your family.
    1. Unbiased
      As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we take pride in providing unbiased advice and expert instruction. We're working for you - not your lender.
    2. Certified
      Our foreclosure counselors all pass strict certification testing from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
    3. Professional
      We love what we do, but we take our work and your trust seriously. We pride ourselves on our expertise and professionalism.
    Jackie, an MMI counselor
    YOUR NEW HOME FOR YEARS TO COME...

    Are you ready to buy the house of your dreams? Make sure you're prepared for everything that comes with that dream. We're here when you need us. 

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    ONLINE HOMEBUYER COURSES
    Self-guided homebuyer education courses available 24/7.
    REGISTER NOW
    financial education workshops
    SIGN UP FOR A WORKSHOP
    Search for a homebuyer education workshop in your area.
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    • The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) is an association of nonprofit consumer organizations that was established in 1968 to advance the consumer interest through research, advocacy, and education. Today, nearly 300 of these groups participate in the federation and govern it through their representatives on the organization's Board of Directors.

    • Since 2007, the Homeownership Preservation Foundation (HPF) has served as a trusted, neutral source of information for more than eight million homeowners. They are partnered with, and endorsed by, numerous major government agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of the Treasury.

    • The mission of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD works to strengthen the housing market in order to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes; utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; and build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination.

    • The Council on Accreditation (COA) is an international, independent, nonprofit, human service accrediting organization. Their mission is to partner with human service organizations worldwide to improve service delivery outcomes by developing, applying, and promoting accreditation standards.

    • The National Foundation for Credit Counseling® (NFCC®), founded in 1951, is the nation’s largest and longest-serving nonprofit financial counseling organization. The NFCC’s mission is to promote the national agenda for financially responsible behavior, and build capacity for its members to deliver the highest-quality financial education and counseling services.