ACCC Housing Services

As an approved HUD housing counseling agency, ACCC provides pre-purchase housing counseling sessions and workshops to consumers. ACCC provides consumers access to information, resources, and tools that help them achieve their housing goals.

Pre-purchase counseling addresses issues that may prevent or delay affordable home ownership. The session includes an in-depth review of a consumer’s financial profile, including income, expenses, debt, and credit. The session will also include how to save for a down payment and how to review and manage credit reports that could impact your mortgage loan. The counselor will also review the requirements for home buying programs, pros, and cons of various types of loans, and predatory lending.

Homebuyer Education & Certification

Another one of ACCC’s housing services is to educate prospective homebuyers. To do so, ACCC has partnered with MassHousing and Framework to offer outstanding online homebuyer education courses. Each course is user-friendly and provides homebuyer education necessary for certification. Both courses are self-paced and can be done at your leisure. Buying a home is a big deal, whether you’re doing it for the first time or getting back into the ever-changing market. Self-educate for smart homeownership.

Reverse Mortgage Counseling

A reverse mortgage can help provide a tax-free cash flow to eligible homeowners 62 years of age or older. It is a unique loan used to convert a percentage of home equity into available cash. Reverse mortgages can provide seniors with financial independence and the ability to remain in their own home. Reverse mortgage funds are commonly used for one or more of the following:

• To supplement a portion of daily living costs
• Pay off high debts in order to reduce unaffordable monthly living costs so affordable again
• Pay for home care costs or home repairs
• To keep funds available for emergencies
• For access to credit when other forms of credit are unavailable

Besides the age and residency qualification, borrowers go through a financial assessment with their lender, and they must acquire the FHA required HECM counseling certificate. ACCC is a Massachusetts and HUD-approved provider of the counseling and certificate.

Foreclosure Prevention

Foreclosure prevention is another area that ACCC’s housing services provide. There are times when a financial hardship, an unexpected life occurrence, or even the wrong kind of loan makes it difficult for you to make your monthly mortgage payment on time. You may find yourself in default of your loan if monthly payments are delinquent more than a couple of months, resulting in the lender filing for foreclosure in order to auction off the house for repayment of the debt. If you have fallen behind on your mortgage or rent payments, or you anticipate not being able to make consistent mortgage payments, we can help. If possible, we want to help you avoid foreclosure altogether. Our certified housing counselors will address your present financial situation and provide you with expert suggestions and will review various options with you.

Our counselors will educate you on:

• Consequences of foreclosure
• Possible repayment plans
• Forbearance agreement
• Loan modifications
• Refinancing options
• The possible sale of your home
• Pre-foreclosure sales
• Deed in lieu of foreclosure

If you’re struggling to pay off debt, ACCC can help. Schedule a free credit counseling session with us today.