Homeownership Counseling

“The Home Ownership Reality game brings real issues ahead, things you probably never  would have given a second thought to.  The game not only helps you get a better understanding of your finances, it teaches you home keepership.”

Within the last five years, nearly 3 million households in the United States have experienced foreclosure, with the majority represented in this figure being disproportionately low-income and minority.  It has always been SCOPP’s contention that if long-term, low-to-moderate income renters were to become successful homeowners other interventions had to be in place. 

SCOPP Homeownership Counseling represents a variety of means to assist families become successful home owners.  By utilizing comprehensive one-on-one counseling and intensive group sessions, SCOPP guides perspective homebuyers through the home-buying process step-by-step—from deciding whether homeownership is right for them to shopping for a home that meets the buyers needs, obtaining a home mortgage, closing the sale, maintaining the home after purchase and successfully handing their mortgage obligation.

SCOPP’s Housing Counseling Program is further detailed below.

FannieMae’s Home Counselor On-Line is a premier, comprehensive web-based counseling  tool that allows SCOPP to help perspective homebuyers prepare for homeownership,  apply for and receive home loans—as well as provide the post-purchase support necessary to remain successful homeowners.

Additionally, Home Counselor On-Line provides SCOPP with other pre-purchase and case management capacity including the ability to:

· Assess  clients' financial readiness for homeownership.

 

· Develop action plans and realistic budgets to help clients overcome barriers to homeownership.

 

· Compare loan products to meet clients' specific financing needs.

 

· Electronically transfer case file data to a lender or mortgage broker, with client's permission, when they're ready to apply for a mortgage.

 

· Support clients post-purchase with budgeting and debt management tools.

 

The Homeownership Reality Game/HOW² Guide to Homeownership Workshop is an interactive board game designed to promote home “keepership” in this age of high foreclosure rates.  The game is designed to be the core element in a new approach to pre-and post-purchase education programs.

The game process helps build participants’ problems solving skills around typical homeownership issues by generating discussion in a safe environment that supports insight, learning and ultimately, behavior change. For information on the next session click here or contact lbjosue@scopp.org.

At Visible House SCOPP offers a series of home ownership classes over a 10 week period designed to provide perspective homebuyers with the tools and knowledge necessary to maintain their home.  Sessions include basic electricity and plumbing, home inspections, basement maintenance, weatherization, general housekeeping, lead based paint safety, consumer fraud and others.  For information on the next Visible House sessions click here or contact lbjosue@scopp.org