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Twin Rivers Opportunities Inc.

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Housing Counseling


Housing counseling is a one-on-one, in-house service available to potential homeowners.  A housing counselor is someone who is specially trained to help you through the process of buying/renting a home and/or saving your home from foreclosure by assessing your financial situation and making a plan to get you the help you need.  While counselors will do all that they can to assist you, the process is a two-way street with the homeowner as a critical partner in the process.  Each must do their part in order to make the process work.  Our office currently offers the following home counseling services:

Pre-Purchase Counseling

For many people, owning their own home is the American dream.  If home ownership is your dream, it can too become a reality but not without realistic goals, sound advice, careful planning, and a clear understanding of the costs involved.  A housing counselor will sit down with you to work through and evaluate the home buying process and ensure that you understand the mortgage lending process and the financial commitment your are about to undertake.  Pre-purchase housing counseling sessions are available to residents of Craven, Jones, and Pamlico Counties and typically last an hour and a half and include time for questions and answers.  The following topics will be covered:

• Homeownership vs. Renting • Working with a Realtor
• Credit Counseling • Fair Housing
• Money Management • Contract and Contingencies
• Predatory Lending • The Home Inspection/Lead Based Paint
• The Mortgage Process • The Role of the Attorney
• Down Payments and Closing Costs • Title Insurance & Homeowners Insurance
• The Appraisal • Moving
• Affordable Housing Programs • Home Maintenance
• Home Selection/Energy Efficiency • Homeowners Tax Information

Good credit is KEY! Make sure that you get your credit ready so that a lender will approve your request for a mortgage.  Four to five sessions will be scheduled, with more if needed.  Upon completion a certificate will be issued that can be used with some lenders' affordable programs, as well as down payment programs.  Call and schedule your appointment today!

Delinquent Mortgage Counseling

 

Funds for this program are limited. The last day for application submission to North Carolina Housing Finance Agency is     July 31, 2019, so act quickly.

 

Delinquent Mortgage Counseling, also know as Foreclosure Prevention Counseling (click link for more info), is conducted individually by a certified housing counselor in an effort to assist residents of any county in North Carolina who are delinquent on their mortgage loans or who are in fear of becoming delinquent on their mortgage loans.  Counseling is tailored to meet the needs of individual consumers' circumstances with a focus on resolving/preventing delinquency and educating consumers on viable options.  Counselors also act as a liaison between consumers and their mortgage lenders.  If a workout plan is possible, the counselor will assist in completion of paperwork and documentation necessary to provide to lenders.  Sessions typically last one and half to two hours and include time for questions and answers.  Follow-up sessions can be provided and are strongly encouraged.  This free foreclosure counseling service include:

Assessment of your mortgage including payment status and urgency in the delinquency and foreclosure process
General Discussion of Foreclosure
Development of Loss Mitigation Options
Development of steps to be taken by you and your certified counselor
Communication with Lender/Servicer
Submission of Loss Mitigation Package to Lender/Servicer
Written Action Plan for avoiding Foreclosure
Follow up support for Homeowner
Contact Information for available community services
 
 

How to Apply

If you are behind on your mortgage payments and/or are facing foreclosure of your home and are interested in our services please complete this application in its entirety and bring it with you on the day of your scheduled appointment.  You will also need to complete IRS Form 4506-T to request that your previous two years' tax information be sent to us as a third party.

Click here to view a list of additional items/information to bring to your scheduled appointment.

 

For more information or to schedule an appointment please contact on of our Housing Counselors:

Tara Bailey
Shankisha Powell
Foreclosure Prevention
Pre-Purchase Counseling
252-637-3599 ext 229
252-637-3599 ext 224
 

****PLEASE BE AWARE OF FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS****

Rising foreclosure rates have led t a growing number of scam artists offering to "rescue" homeowners in financial distress.  They use a wide variety of scam methods and target people of all ages.  Foreclosure scams usually revolve around heavily promoted deals supposedly designed to save the homes of people facing foreclosure.

Legitimate companies will sit down with a homeowner and collect documentation.  Their representatives will explain the offer and the process in as much detail as you need to make an informed decision.  All promises and agreements will be in writing and they will not object to your desire to consult a lawyer, credit or housing counselor, or other expert resource. 

Before you sign any contracts, you should contact your lender, a credit or housing counselor, or a lawyer.  You may also check out many companies with the Better Business Bureau.