Housing counseling is for anyone navigating a major housing decision. If you’re a first-time buyer, you may want to use it to figure out if you’re ready to apply for a mortgage. If you’re a renter facing eviction or unstable housing, housing counselors can provide guidance on your options and rights. Finally, if you’re a homeowner struggling to keep up with payments or facing foreclosure, you can explore ways to stay in your home.
Whatever your reason for seeking assistance, Housing Counseling through CCCS of Savannah can provide personalized guidance based on your financial circumstances and housing goals.
Here’s what you can generally expect and how you can prepare.
What Housing Counseling Covers
Housing counseling is designed to help individuals and families make informed decisions about buying, renting, financing, or keeping a home.
Depending on your circumstances, counseling may cover topics such as preparing to purchase a home, understanding your finances and credit, managing mortgage payments, or dealing with the possibility of foreclosure.
CCCS of Savannah is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, providing counseling and education to help consumers better understand their housing options.
How to Prepare for Your Housing Counseling Session
The more information you can provide your counselor, the easier it will be to develop a clear picture of your situation.
Depending on the type of counseling you're receiving, you may want to gather documents such as:
- Recent pay stubs or other proof of income
- A list of monthly household expenses
- Credit card and loan balances
- Bank statements
- Tax returns
- Mortgage statements or housing-related documents
- Any correspondence from your mortgage servicer, landlord, or other relevant parties
You should also think about your short- and long-term housing goals and write down any questions you'd like to discuss during the session.
If you're preparing to purchase a home, CCCS of Savannah's Homebuyer Education resources can also help you understand the homebuying process and prepare for the financial responsibilities of homeownership.
What Happens in the Housing Counseling Session
During your housing counseling session, your counselor will work to understand both your housing situation and your overall financial picture.
That may include reviewing your income, household expenses, debts, credit, and housing costs. Your counselor can then help you identify potential obstacles and develop an action plan based on your goals.
For a prospective homebuyer, that could mean identifying steps to improve credit, reduce debt, create a realistic homebuying budget, or begin saving for a down payment.
For an existing homeowner experiencing financial difficulty, counseling may focus on understanding your mortgage and evaluating potential options for dealing with missed payments or avoiding foreclosure. If you're having trouble making your mortgage payments, CCCS of Savannah's Foreclosure Prevention Counseling can help you better understand the options that may be available.
After the Housing Counseling Session
Once your counseling session is complete, you should have a clearer understanding of your financial situation and the next steps you can take toward your housing goals.
Depending on the type of counseling or education you receive, your next steps could include working on your credit, adjusting your household budget, reducing debt, building savings, communicating with your mortgage servicer, or completing additional homebuyer education.
Why Housing Counseling Worth Doing
Don’t assume that housing counseling is only if you’re already in trouble. It’s a valuable service that can also help you get ready to buy your first home, and typically, it’s free. Whether you’re facing foreclosure or a first-time buyer, you’ll walk away with steps to reach your goals and the knowledge that you have information provided by a professional.