|
Housing Counseling
If you are behind on your mortgage or facing foreclosure, call
SaveYourHomePhilly Hotline at
215-334-(HOME) 4663
or visit the SaveYourHomePhilly website for more information.
Housing Counseling Agencies
OHCD supports 30 housing counseling agencies to offer free counseling services to residents of Philadelphia. For a list click here. Eligibility requirements apply. See the flier belowclick here. Haga clic aquí para Español.
What types of services are provided?
Professionally trained housing counselors conduct free group and individual counseling on topics such as:
- foreclosure prevention and intervention;
- identifying and avoiding predatory lending practices;
- purchasing a home within your means;
- financial assistance programs;
- credit repair and maintenance;
- money management;
- the mortgage application and purchase process;
- rights and responsibilities of homeowners;
- maintenance of the house.
Who is eligible?
For Foreclosure Assistance:
Free foreclosure counseling is available to all Philadelphia homeowners facing foreclosure on their primary residence. There are no income requirements. Call SaveYourHomePhilly hotline at 215-334- HOME (4663).
For Prepurchase Counseling:
Any Philadelphia homebuyer is eligible for prepurchase counseling.
For First-Time Homebuyer Grants:
Click here for details.
How do I apply?
Follow the procedure outlined on the flier below. Haga clic aquí para Español.
|
Avoid Predatory Lending
If you are thinking about borrowing money to:
- purchase a home
- refinance your home
- fix-up your home
- pay property taxes
- consolidate debt
contact one of the housing counseling agencies, listed below.
Haga clic aquí para Español.
Beware of the following tactics:
- telephone and door-to-door solicitations
- lenders who ask for upfront fees
- pressure tactics
- contracts with low monthly payments but a high balloon payment, interest-only payments or adjustable rates
- contracts with excessive fees and hidden costs
Before signing any loan document you have a legal right to know:
- the annual percentage rate, including any potential future changes in the rate (fixed rates are best)
- the monthly payment including any potential future changes in the monthly payment (fixed payments are best)
- the term of the loan (how long you have to payback the loan)
- the points and fees
- the total cost of the loan
Before you sign, call a housing counseling agency below.
Haga clic aquí para Español.
Remember: you have the right to terminate a loan within three business days of closing. Be sure this "right to rescind" is in your loan.
|
