Education and Counseling | Technical Support | Lending | Development

HOC’s homebuyer education and counseling programs are designed to serve a variety of homebuyers and owners, from those ready to purchase to those needing longer-term support. While HOC products and services are open to individuals of all income levels, the primary focus is serving those who are 115 percent of median income and below.

HOC divides its client base into those borrowers who are on a “ready-to-buy” or fast purchase track, and those who require additional time and support before purchasing or taking out a loan. HOC also strives, under the concept of full-cycle lending, to make each borrower a successful homeowner through continued support after the loan closing.

• Education and counseling activities include:

• Intake and Outreach
HOC’s goal is to customize its service to meet the individual client. Each inquiry is met with a referral to the appropriate program or service. Prospective homebuyers and borrowers are assessed and an individual plan for meeting their homeownership goals prepared.

• Education
Monthly seminars are offered to orient clients to the opportunities and obligations of homeownership. For those who may be ready to purchase within six months, an eight hour seminar is held to cover the basics of assessing readiness to buy, budget and credit counseling, the home buying process and maintaining your home and finances. Homebuyer clubs are offered to those seven to twenty-four months away from purchase. These clubs provide peer support and a savings vehicle for home purchase. The topics covered in HOC’s monthly seminars are reviewed as a group, and individual counseling is also available to each club member.

• Counseling
Individual counseling is available throughout the purchase process and beyond. Prospective buyers are able to address individual questions and issues. Homeowners are able to remedy credit and debt problems.