Pre-Purchase & HOEPA Counseling

Before you buy a home, it’s important to understand what you’re committing to. Our pre-purchase counseling services help you learn about the responsibilities and benefits of homeownership. Understand the costs, risks, and responsibilities of homeownership.
Schedule Your Appointment800-294-3896
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Magnifying glass placed over colorful financial reports, symbolizing analysis, review, and attention to detail.

What is HOEPA?

If you're exploring home financing options, HOEPA is designed to protect you from unfair lending practices on high-cost loans. HOEPA, part of the Truth in Lending Act, protects homeowners from predatory lending on high-cost mortgages by enforcing strict rules and transparency. It ensures you're informed, supported, and in control every step of the way through the following benefits:

• Clear, upfront disclosures about loan costs
• Limits on risky loan terms that could hurt you
• Free, required counseling to guide your decision
• Strong legal protections if your rights are violated

With HOEPA, you gain peace of mind and the tools to make confident, safe homeownership choices.

What You'll Learn During HOEPA Counseling

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Understand Your Loan,
Know If HOEPA Applies

Learn how the Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act (HOEPA) protects you from unfair lending practices. This course helps you identify if your loan falls under HOEPA, explains your rights, and guides you in making informed, confident decisions about your mortgage.

Know Your Rights,
Avoid Costly Mistakes

Discover the legal protections HOEPA offers. We’ll walk you through the signs of high-cost loans, predatory lending risks, and what lenders must disclose, so you feel secure and empowered in your home.
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Magnifying glass placed over colorful financial reports, symbolizing analysis, review, and attention to detail.

Take Action, Achieve Homeownership Success!

Get personalized guidance from certified counselors to explore safer loan options, avoid foreclosure risks, and create a plan that supports long-term homeownership success. Once you’ve completed your HOEPA counseling, we’ll issue your certificate and provide next steps tailored to you.

Step-by-Step
HOEPA Counseling Process

Step 1
Start With a HOEPA Counseling Session to Understand Your Loan

Speak with a HUD-certified housing counselor to meet HOEPA or lender requirements, understand your mortgage terms, and avoid high-cost lending pitfalls before you sign.

Step 2
Review Your Loan Terms, Budget, and Rights as a Home Loan Borrower

We’ll help you break down your loan terms, interest rates, fees, and monthly payments to ensure you fully understand your obligations and options before committing.

Step 3
Understand the Risks of High-Cost Loans and Prepare for Homeownership

Learn how HOEPA protects you, what to avoid, and how to strengthen your budget and credit so you can move forward with confidence and long-term financial stability.

Step 4
Get a Certificate of Completion and Resources for Long-Term Success

You’ll receive your official certificate and helpful homebuyer tools, so you stay protected, educated, and ready for successful homeownership beyond the loan closing.
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Free HOEPA
Resources & Tools

Download these trusted resources to better understand HOEPA loan requirements, stay compliant, and take the next step toward confident, mortgage-ready homeownership. Click the links below.

• HOEPA Lender Reference Guide
‍• Borrower Checklist
‍• CFPB Compliance Guide
‍• Mortgage Readiness Calculator

HOEPA Counseling FAQ's

How do I know if my loan is a HOEPA loan?

*Hover over for answer
We’ll review your loan terms with you. If it meets HOEPA’s high-cost triggers, counseling is required. You’ll get clarity before you move forward.

Why is counseling required for HOEPA loans?

*Hover over for answer
HOEPA loans come with higher costs and risks. Counseling ensures you fully understand your rights, protections, and the impact of your loan terms before signing.

Is counseling only for people ready to buy now?

*Hover over for answer
Not at all. Many people use this session to prepare for the future. We’ll help you create a plan so you’re mortgage-ready when the time is right.

What if I’m not ready to buy after my session?

*Hover over for answer
That’s okay. You’ll leave with personalized steps, credit guidance, and budgeting tools to help you prepare confidently for homeownership when you’re ready.
Credit.org is not a loan company. We do not loan / lend money.
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Credit.org is an independent nonprofit financial counseling agency and is not affiliated with any mortgage, lending or servicing provider. The content, links and resources in this site are presented for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or tax advice.

Credit.org is not a credit repair company.
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Credit.org does not offer credit repair services. Our focus is on providing educational resources, counseling, and support to help individuals improve their financial health and achieve their homeownership goals. We do not engage in activities that promise to remove or alter negative credit information from credit reports.
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