What to expect when you call a housing counselor 

Reaching out for help is never as easy as it should be. If you're worried about your ability to make mortgage payments and stay in your home, however, it's important to get help as soon as possible.

Foreclosure counseling is a free service, available to anyone struggling with their mortgage. We realize it’s a big step to take, and uncertainty can make the process seem daunting. So in order to help you better understand the housing counseling process, the following is a rundown of what you can expect from a session with one of MMI’s HUD-certified housing counselors:

  • Prior to calling, make sure you know and/or have access to the following information, as the counselor will ask for these things in order to better assess your situation:
    • Your monthly income;
    • monthly expenses;
    • debts and assets; and
    • mortgage information – including servicer, payment amount, interest rate, amount of loan, date loan was acquired and your last contact with servicer.
  • A typical phone call lasts about an hour and begins with the privacy disclosure. Your counselor will then take time to answer any questions you may have. You will then be asked to discuss your specific hardship (the reason you're having difficulty making payments), which will give your counselor an accurate understanding of your situation in order to make the best possible recommendation.
  • Your counselor will explain your options based on your specific situation. Upon gathering the necessary information (listed above) and reviewing your specific hardship, your counselor will recommend resources and services that will be of most benefit to you. You will be offered information on all of the options available to you, including any details specific to your state.
  • You will then review an action plan, which your counselor will create based on the information covered in the session. You will receive a written copy of the action plan, which will be used to prepare a recommendation to your lender based on the option you choose (if you choose an option).
  • At the conclusion of the counseling session, you will be offered the opportunity to participate in a conference call with your lender to go over the recommendation and see if your lender will be able to assist you. You should note that, while telephone contact is not required and is completely optional, it is an important part of the process in order for your lender to help you avoid foreclosure.
  • In the event you are not able to work with the lender to keep your home, you will be told what to expect and you may be offered a follow-up counseling session. In this session you will learn more about what to expect after you transition out of the home.

If you are already in foreclosure, the most important thing you can do is stay in contact with your lender and seek help as soon as possible. While the foreclosure process varies by state, there a number of options that may allow you to slow or suspend the foreclosure activity — all of which your counselor can explain to you in detail.

 return to Foreclosure COUNSELING

Foreclosure Counseling
There are few things scarier than the thought of losing your house. If you're even just a little worried, give us a call. The sooner you act the more options you have.
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