Homeownership Center
Helping Homebuyers become Sustainable Homeowners
We want to help you improve your economic circumstances
In the face of escalating home prices, navigating the Houston housing market poses a significant challenge, particularly for low to moderate-income homebuyers. Our current economy also affects our existing homeowners in terms of their homeowners insurance and property taxes.
The NeighborWorks Homeownership Center at Avenue offers HUD-certified education and counseling services throughout the year. Our dedicated team is committed to addressing the unique needs of each household, guiding them through the entire homeownership journey from obtaining to sustaining their homeownership. Our main services are:
Our HUD certified counselors provide our education classes and counseling to help you on your path to home ownership, which is the best way to improve your economic circumstances. They also have the knowledge to help current homeowners protect their asset. Our HUD certified counselors work hard to stay well-versed in all available resources for both homebuyers and homeowners.
Empower yourself with our education and counseling services to strengthen your finances. We guide you through the process of enhancing your credit scores, expanding your savings, implementing effective strategies to reduce debt, and learn about the current financial market to build your long-term assets. Our goal is to enable you to not only support your family’s current needs but also secure a prosperous future.
AVENUE’S STEPS TOWARDS HOMEOWNERSHIP
Sign Up for a Homebuyer Education Class
This class is commonly referred to as the First-Time Homebuyer Education class/course, it’s important to recognize that the benefits extend beyond just for first-time homebuyers. This class is valuable for anyone. In this class you will learn about:
- Are you Ready to Buy a Home?
Rent vs Own comparison - Managing Your Money
Learn how to figure out your earnings and assess your financial situation effectively. This will help you determine a home purchase price that fits your budget comfortably. - Understanding Credit
Understand why credit matters and learn simple ways to make it better. - Obtaining a Mortgage Loan
Learn about different mortgage loan options and how to decide which one is best for you. - Shopping for a Home
Understand the process of buying a home so you can avoid pitfalls and feel confident at each decision point. - Protecting Your Asset
Prepare yourself to protect your investment for the long term. - Grant Guide
Find out about local programs that can help you with the money you need to buy a home. See if you can qualify for assistance to cover your down payment and closing costs. - Receive the HUD-certified homebuyers certificate
Upon completing the class, you’ll receive a certificate of completion. This certificate is valid for 12 months from the class date. This certificate may be necessary for certain down payment assistance programs and/or mortgage lenders.
Sign up for
Homebuyer Counseling
Meet with an Avenue housing counselor (options: virtual with a counselor, in-person at the office, over the phone) to:
- Review your finances
- Review budget and credit report
- Determine your debt-to-income ratio and mortgage loan affordability
- Explore your options for down payment assistance
- Come up with a personalized action plan to get mortgage ready, including saving for closing costs, building or improving your credit, paying down debt, etc.
ONGOING HOMEBUYER COUNSELING AVAILABLE
Until you are mortgage ready and can get pre-approved for a home loan
- After attending the homebuyer course & meeting with your counselor if clients are able to fulfill their action plan tasks counselor can review a minimum of three lender options with the clients to help them determine their preferred lender of choice to apply with if needed.
