Housing Counseling

​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.
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Congratulations to Sherry and her Housing Counseling Department for winning this illustrious award!

First Time Homebuyer Counseling

​Have you ever thought of owning your own home?  Well, you can make your dream a reality.  If you currently rent, you may be able to buy.  You owe it to yourself to find out!
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BCHG provides free counseling for a variety of First Time Homebuyer Programs.  Check them out using the links at the bottom of the page.  Eligibility for a specific program is discussed during your scheduled appointment.

FIRST STEP: Attend a webinar

SECOND STEP: Request an appointment
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THIRD STEP: Receive face-to-face counseling and financial analysis including eligibility for various programs.
FIRST TIME HOMEBUYER WEBINAR: The next webinar will be Thursday, 9/26/19 -First Time Buyer Intro
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​Registration closes at 4pm the day before the webinar unless it falls on a Monday (in which case registration closes at 4pm the previous Friday).
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This 2-hour webinar provides an introduction to the home-buying process 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). After participating, potential buyers should have a better understanding of the counseling options available through Bucks County Housing Group, the steps in the purchase process, and the eligibility requirements of the county’s program. After registering for the webinar in Eventbrite, registrants will receive a confirmation email from Eventbrite with a link for the webinar.  The webinar is delivered through the program Anymeeting.  Use your PC or laptop to connect - sorry, tablets and mobile devices generally cannot support the webinar app. Please be sure that every borrower registers separately and attends the webinar.  Listen through your speakers or call in to the number provided in the confirmation email. Additional hours are required to obtain a certificate.
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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
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.
"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
Jill Horner speaks with Sherry Pace, Housing Counseling Program Manager, about counseling and educational programs available for home buyers.
FORECLOSURE & LOSS MITIGATION COUNSELING

​In 2018 Candy Woodall from Penn Live reported on 2017 foreclosures, using statistics from ATTOM Data Solutions. She said that  while foreclosure rates are down, in 2017 Pennsylvania ranked 13th overall in number of foreclosures. Bucks County was in the top 25 PA counties for number of foreclosures – ranked at number 5 with 1,733 foreclosures (one for every 142 houses).
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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.  BCHG is no longer 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
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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.)
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.
Additional resources:
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Foreclosure Loan Scam Prevention
Foreclosure Prevention Resource Guide
Homeowners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program
Making Home Affordable (MHA)
​Servicemember's Civil Relief Act (for members of the Armed Forces)
Housing Counseling Annual Report
Bucks County 1st Time Homebuyer Participation Eligibility Criteria 2018
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency
First Front Door
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