Step into Homeownership
with Confidence

Navigating the home buying process can feel overwhelming,  especially when loan terms are complex or you're unsure what’s affordable. That’s why we offer certified Pre-Purchase and HOEPA counseling designed to protect you, prepare you, and help you move forward with clarity and confidence.
Schedule Your Appointment800-294-3896
Magnifying glass placed over colorful financial reports, symbolizing analysis, review, and attention to detail.Magnifying glass placed over colorful financial reports, symbolizing analysis, review, and attention to detail.
Couple reviewing HOEPA documents together at home.Magnifying glass placed over colorful financial reports, symbolizing analysis, review, and attention to detail.

What is HOEPA?

If you're exploring home financing options, Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act (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. Our certified counselors will walk you through:

• The exact terms and risks in your loan offer.
• Safer financing alternatives, when available.
• Your rights under federal lending protections.
• What to expect at closing, and how to protect yourself.

We deliver the facts with zero pressure, so you can make a confident, informed decision.

What is Pre-Purchase Counseling?

If you're ready to sign your mortgage loan, now is the perfect time to complete Pre-Purchase Counseling. This HUD-approved session helps you understand the full financial commitment of homeownership, beyond just the mortgage terms, so you can close with clarity and long-term confidence.

• A clear understanding of your mortgage loan terms.
• A breakdown of total monthly housing costs (PITI, HOA fees, etc.).
• A review of your financial obligations.
• Guidance on building a sustainable homeownership budget.
• Tips to avoid foreclosure, maintain good credit, and build equity.

Couple reviewing mortgage loan documents together at home.A young couple examining their financial documents as part of pre-purchase home buyer counseling.

Understand What You’re Signing
Protect What You’re Building

Expecting couple completing paperwork for home buying while receiving pre-purchase counseling at home.Expecting couple completing paperwork for home buying while receiving pre-purchase counseling at home.

Break Down the Fine Print, Feel Certain About Your Loan

If you’re unsure of what’s hidden in your mortgage terms, you're not alone. Whether you're buying a home or finalizing a high-cost loan, our counselors simplify the numbers, clarify key details, and explain if HOEPA requirements apply.
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You’ll walk away with a clear understanding of how your loan works, and full confidence that it works for you.

Know What’s Fair,
Stand on Solid Ground

You shouldn’t have to worry about being taken advantage of or of missing critical disclosures. We help you recognize the warning signs of predatory lending, understand your legal protections, and avoid unnecessary risk.
This is more than checking a box, it’s making sure your loan and your lender are working in your best interest.
A young couple sits on a couch, using a laptop for pre-purchase home buyer counseling. A young couple sits on a couch, using a laptop for pre-purchase home buyer counseling.
A family joyfully stands in front of their new home after completing pre-purchase home buyer counseling.A family joyfully stands in front of their new home after completing pre-purchase home buyer counseling.

Plan with Purpose, Take Steps That Build Stability

When you know where you stand financially, you can move forward with intention. Our counselors create a personalized path toward safer, sustainable homeownership, whether you’re preparing to apply or finalizing a high-cost loan.
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You'll gain clarity, meet requirements, and leave with a clear next step that brings you closer to a secure future.

Step-by-Step
Counseling Process

Step 1
Start With a Counseling Session to Understand Your Loan

Speak with a HUD-certified housing counselor to meet 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.
service ecosystem-minMagnifying glass placed over colorful financial reports, symbolizing analysis, review, and attention to detail.

Free 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

Pre-Purchase and HOEPA
Counseling FAQs

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 pre-purchase 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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