Housing Counseling
Potential Renters, Buyers and even Owners!
Do you want to learn more about credit? Need help with budgeting? Do you want to rent? Have you ever thought of owning your own home? Well we can provide the counseling and education to make your dream a reality.
If you currently rent, you may be able to buy. You owe it to yourself to find out!
BCHG provides free counseling for a variety of topics and First Time Homebuyer programs. Check out some of them using the links at the very bottom of the page. Eligibility for a specific program is discussed during your scheduled appointment.
FIRST STEP: Complete a BCHG Intake Application here
SECOND STEP: Receive, sign, and return your Authorization/Disclosure/Privacy Notice AKA 3-in-1 through DocuSign.
THIRD STEP: Attend one or more group sessions and go from there!
If you currently rent, you may be able to buy. You owe it to yourself to find out!
BCHG provides free counseling for a variety of topics and First Time Homebuyer programs. Check out some of them using the links at the very bottom of the page. Eligibility for a specific program is discussed during your scheduled appointment.
FIRST STEP: Complete a BCHG Intake Application here
SECOND STEP: Receive, sign, and return your Authorization/Disclosure/Privacy Notice AKA 3-in-1 through DocuSign.
THIRD STEP: Attend one or more group sessions and go from there!
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Housing Counseling for First Time Buyers or anyone needing help with credit, budget and financial fitness!
Live Webinar(s) - Our webinars provide information about credit and credit scoring, financial fitness, an introduction to the home-buying and lending processes and a review of the Bucks County First Time Home Buyer Program (a zero interest, deferred payment loan to assist buyers with down-payment and/or closing costs). Clients may opt to attend one, two or all of the available webinars! After participating, potential buyers should have a better understanding of credit, the steps in the purchase and lending processes, and the eligibility requirements of the county’s program. To learn more - please click the button below to view our short video "What You Need to Know about BCHG and Housing Counseling". Webinars are delivered through the program Anymeeting. Use your PC or laptop to connect - some folks have had success with tablets and mobile devices but others have found that they cannot support the webinar app. We do not offer technical support on the day of the webinar. If you are a First Please be sure that every adult who will be living in the home you are purchasing registers separately and attends the webinar. Listen through your speakers or call in to the number provided in the confirmation email.
Additional individual counseling hours (see the video above) are required to obtain a certificate of counseling. For those already under contract who specifically want to use the county program: Follow the same steps above and include the property address, purchase price, and settlement date in your email to intake@bchg.org. If we have sufficient time to process a request you intake will be scheduled and you will be registered for the free webinar outlining participation in the county program, receive copies of the slides and other resources. If after attending, you believe you are eligible and still want to continue - you may also be required to attend the online education course through Framework. The fee for this course will be reimbursed to you when settlement using the county program is complete.
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"I just wanted to tell you how much we learned today. It was a long day but everything you talked about was important. We really want to buy a house, but after today we know we have to go home and really talk about this budget stuff." - A quote from one of our clients |
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ONLINE COUNSELING
Is your lender requiring counseling before settlement? Is it hard to fit into your schedule? Is your credit score 680 or better? If you answered "yes" to all three questions, then our online counseling option may be for you! Online counseling is available from two different providers, in both English and Spanish. For a nominal fee you may complete your counseling totally online and print your own counseling certificate. The eHomeAmerica and Framework online options are homebuyer education courses, but they are not one-on-one housing counseling. You MUST check with your lender to confirm that this type of counseling is acceptable, and which provider. If your lender or program, such as the FHA Back to Work Program, requires you to complete in person housing counseling you will need to schedule a one-on-one session. (Please note: this option MAY NOT be used when applying for the Bucks County First Time Homebuyer program.) Finally, the completion of on-line training is a convenient option. However, if you have questions regarding any portion of the program, credit, budgeting, or the home buying process, we will be happy to schedule an in-person consultation at no additional charge. Click here to navigate to Framework's website. |
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"I’ve been in my new home for 2 1/2 months and I couldn’t be happier. I wanted to personally thank you again for your help, advice, guidance, and funds from Bucks County! It is a dream come true for me!" - A Christmas card from December 2014 |
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FORECLOSURE & LOSS MITIGATION COUNSELING
Are you or someone you know, facing foreclosure? If so, there are resources that can help. We currently have no foreclosure prevention webinars scheduled. This 1 hour webinar provides an introduction to the foreclosure process in Pennsylvania and an overview of the various foreclosure prevention options available to homeowners. Participants will have a better understanding of the foreclosure timeline and foreclosure prevention options. Participants will know how to prepare for, and what to expect from, a housing counseling appointment although BCHG is not currently providing face to face foreclosure prevention appointments. If you need the services of a counselor you can contact one of the following agencies: American Credit Alliance: 215-295-7195 Clarifi: 215-563-5665 Credit Counseling Center: 215-348-8003 If you have received an Act 91 notice do not delay to call one of the agencies listed above for an appointment. (BCHG is not affiliated with one specific lender or realtor.) |
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A widowed woman who was current on her mortgage, but in imminent danger of default, came in for counseling. During her appointment the counselor determined that the homeowner was eligible for a loan modification on both her first and second mortgages. Monthly payments were reduced by $500/month and also now include escrows for taxes and home owners insurance. Bob and Carol (not their real names) came in with an Act 91. They also had an offer from their lender for a loan modification that they did not understand. We provided counseling and a referral to Legal Aid. After counseling, the borrowers ultimately accepted the modification offered by their lender. |
BCHG was awarded the "Best Agency Award" at PHFA's 5th Biennial Luncheon 2018 Housing Counseling Awards Ceremony!
The Best Agency Award acknowledges the effectiveness of the overall performance of an agencies comprehensive housing counseling programs. BCHG Housing Counselor, Sherry Pace was presented the award and was also nominated for the Best Housing Counseling Specialist Award.
Congratulations to Sherry and her Housing Counseling Department for winning this illustrious award!
The Best Agency Award acknowledges the effectiveness of the overall performance of an agencies comprehensive housing counseling programs. BCHG Housing Counselor, Sherry Pace was presented the award and was also nominated for the Best Housing Counseling Specialist Award.
Congratulations to Sherry and her Housing Counseling Department for winning this illustrious award!
Additional resources:
Foreclosure Loan Scam Prevention
Foreclosure Prevention Resource Guide
Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program
Servicemember's Civil Relief Act (for members of the Armed Forces)
Housing Counseling Annual Report
Bucks County 1st Time Homebuyer Participation Eligibility Criteria 2020
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
First Front Door
Foreclosure Loan Scam Prevention
Foreclosure Prevention Resource Guide
Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program
Servicemember's Civil Relief Act (for members of the Armed Forces)
Housing Counseling Annual Report
Bucks County 1st Time Homebuyer Participation Eligibility Criteria 2020
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
First Front Door
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