2018 NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP MONTH TOOLKIT

Transcription

1 2018 NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP MONTH TOOLKIT

2 Promoting National Homeownership Month Greetings! During the month of June, we are proud to celebrate National Homeownership Month nationwide. Since HUD-approved housing counseling agencies are an integral part of the homeownership process, we invite you to join us to spread the word in your communities. We ve provided social media and public relations ideas, tools, and materials that will help raise consumer awareness about National Homeownership Month and highlight the benefits of partnering with HUD s housing counseling program. We hope you find them helpful. Our belief is that every community benefits when its population has access to sustainable housing. Your role in educating consumers to make responsible choices for their housing needs is invaluable. Sarah Gerecke Deputy Assistant Secretary Office of Housing Counseling 2018 NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP TOOLKIT 2

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS An Introduction to National Homeownership Month 4 Attracting Media Attention 5 Issuing a Press Release 6 Press Release Example 7 Visuals 9 Pitch Example 12 Creative Materials 13 Ideas for Usage 15 Templates 16 Home Ownership Month Press Release 17 Media Pitch 19 Social Media Outreach 20 Home Ownership Month Social Media Content 22 Tips & Tricks 25 Appendix NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP TOOLKIT 3

4 AN INTRODUCTION TO NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP MONTH June is National Homeownership Month a time to celebrate and promote the American dream of owning a home. Across the country, homeownership is the best investment an individual or family can make to build personal wealth and security. It also provides social stability, builds communities, and is a driving force for the national economy. Anyone who is able and willing to assume the responsibilities of owning a home should have the opportunity to pursue that dream in a responsible way. National Homeownership Month offers HUDapproved housing counseling agencies an opportunity to join in the celebration with consumers in their communities by sharing the benefits of housing counseling services NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP TOOLKIT 4

5 ATTRACTING MEDIA ATTENTION 2018 NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP TOOLKIT 5

6 ATTRACTING MEDIA ATTENTION ISSUE A PRESS RELEASE National Homeownership Month is observed and promoted widely to the media by many organizations with a stake in some aspect of homeownership. Your agency can join the Homeownership Month conversation by issuing a press release that illustrates how their services benefit consumers in their communities on their paths to homeownership. Be sure to provide reporters with local statistics or an interesting local angle to make it relevant to your community. Information to Include Below are some ideas for local angles and statistics you can use to strengthen your press release. On the following page, you ll find a finished press release example. If you like, you can use the press release template on page 17 and customize it for your community. How your agency will celebrate o Open house or other event o Discounted or free seminars/workshops o Free consultations or special offers Impact of homeownership success in your community o Cite positive homeownership statistics for your community o Mention the number of those who took homeownership seminars/workshops and bought homes How consumers benefit from working with HUD Housing Counseling Agencies o Unbiased counsel o Variety of homeownership services available Housing counseling success stories o Testimonials from those you ve assisted 1 1 You must obtain each person s permission to include their name and a quote from them in your press release NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP TOOLKIT 6

7 ATTRACTING MEDIA ATTENTION 2018 NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP TOOLKIT 7

8 ATTRACTING MEDIA ATTENTION 2018 NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP TOOLKIT 8

9 ATTRACTING MEDIA ATTENTION Visuals Offering visuals that support your press release can often help encourage its coverage in print or online media. Depending on the media s preference, you can either embed or attach any of the following visual items into your press release. Link to First-Time Homebuyer video o Great for online media outlets that are always in need of interactive, engaging content NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP TOOLKIT 9

10 ATTRACTING MEDIA ATTENTION Where to Send It Distribute your press release to the news editor at local, consumer-focused media. Don t forget to include those media that focus specifically on ethnic audiences in your community, such as Hispanic, African-American, Pan-Asian, and others. Daily consumer newspapers Community newspapers Community blogs City magazines Online magazine Local ethnic-focused media 2018 NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP TOOLKIT 10

11 ATTRACTING MEDIA ATTENTION Timing Although the media are never committed to do anything with your press release, the sooner you can get the information into their hands, the better. Thanks to the Internet, most media can post information on their websites and digital/online editions within a few hours. In addition, if you are holding a Homeownership Month-related event, you can also submit that information to online event listings. Type events in [YOUR CITY, STATE] into a search engine to find a variety of event calendar sources in your community. You can your event information to the contact on the website. In addition, many of them will allow you to self-post your information through a form on the website NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP TOOLKIT 11

12 ATTRACTING MEDIA ATTENTION Pitch To increase a reporter s interest in reading your press release, be sure to include a short, personalized pitch when you send it and create an attention-getting subject line. Then copy and paste the text of your press release just below your pitch. You can use the pitch example below to create your own or use the corresponding template on page 19 of this toolkit. Be sure to customize the areas in red with your specific information NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP TOOLKIT 12

13 CREATIVE MATERIALS 2018 NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP TOOLKIT 13

14 CREATIVE MATERIALS Creative Materials National Homeownership Month is a perfect opportunity to engage with your current and potential clients to promote your agency s services that best meet their needs for wherever they are on their homeownership journey. To help you in this endeavor, there is a variety of creative materials available for your use on hud.gov/housingcounseling. They include the following: First-time homebuyer video This engaging three-minute video, ideal for consumers and the media, takes homebuyers on a fun yet informative journey through the steps of homeownership. First-time homebuyer brochure suite This is a brochure collection highlighting key information about housing counseling, credit, money matters, and mortgages. See page 27 of the Appendix. General housing counseling brochure, flyer, and poster Designed to complement each other and any additional creative materials, the items in this suite highlight the overall benefits of HUD-approved housing counseling. See page 31 of the Appendix NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP TOOLKIT 14

15 CREATIVE MATERIALS Ideas for Creative Materials We encourage you to share the creative materials with your current and potential customers, especially during National Homeownership Month, to demonstrate how important housing counseling is to beating the odds and achieving homeownership. Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing: Display materials in your office to spark questions and discussion about your services. Play the video on a loop in your office reception area so people can view it as they enter. Include the video link in your signature block during the month of June. Share the video link in your social media content. Mail brochures to current and potential customers with a personal handwritten note inviting them to come in for a consultation during National Homeownership Month NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP TOOLKIT 15

16 TEMPLATES Following are templates you can use for your media outreach. Just copy and paste them, and then customize the highlighted areas for your purposes NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP TOOLKIT 16

17 TEMPLATES PRESS RELEASE TEMPLATE NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Your Name, Company Name Phone: Your Phone Number Your address Insert your Agency s logo here Your Agency s Name Celebrates National Homeownership Month Offers consumers free Homebuyer Education Classes during the month of June MADISON, Wis. (June 1, 2018) In partnership with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Neighborhood Resources Madison is offering free in-person Homebuyer Education workshops during the month of June to celebrate National Homeownership Month. Statistics show that consumers who use HUD-approved housing counseling services have 42 percent lower odds of foreclosure and are 283 percent more likely to receive loan modifications. The workshops will assist potential homebuyers in understanding and navigating the often complex home-buying process and the full spectrum of homeownership. Class pre-registration is required and topics covered will include: Creating a manageable budget Understanding your credit score Qualifying for a mortgage Home shopping tips Since a home purchase is likely the largest financial commitment a person will make, we want to help consumers prepare to become homeowners whenever that may occur, said Jim Watson, HUD-certified housing counselor and manager of Neighborhood Resources. With Madison single-family home sales already 2% higher than last year and continuing to set records, now is a good time to start the education process. In 2017 alone, Neighborhood Resources counseled more than 680 Madison consumers who were potential homebuyers and had 385 of them go on to purchase local homes. We learned so much from our workshop and housing counselor, said Robert and Cindy Harris of Monona, who participated in a Pre-Purchase Education seminar and subsequently purchased 2018 NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP TOOLKIT 17

18 TEMPLATES a home in September, It really opened our eyes to the entire home buying process and helped put us in a better position for when we were ready to move forward. It definitely was time well invested. As one of over 2,000 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies nationwide, Neighborhood Resources offers all consumers counseling through a variety of unbiased, low-cost or free services and resources that empower them to make better-informed housing decisions. These benefits, and more, are highlighted in a short video, Let s Make Home Happen, created by HUD for National Homeownership Month. Find additional celebratory activities that Neighborhood Resources Madison is hosting for National Homeownership Month here. Questions? Visit Neighborhood Resources at or call (608) ### 2018 NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP TOOLKIT 18

19 TEMPLATES PITCH RELEASE SUBJECT: Free housing counseling workshops for residents in June Hello Jim, Were you aware that June is National Homeownership Month? To celebrate, Neighborhood Resources of Madison is excited to offer FREE Homebuyer Education workshops to anyone in our community! Overwhelmingly, people who participate in housing education with HUD-approved housing counselors have 42 percent lower odds of foreclosure and are 283 percent more likely to receive loan modifications. As a HUD-approved housing counseling agency in Madison since 2001, Neighborhood Resources has provided more than 150,000 community members with unbiased housing counseling services to help them make better-informed decisions during the homebuying process. The attached press release contains more information about registration for our free workshops. I ll follow up with you in the next few days, but feel free to contact me if you need anything else. Best regards, Andi Spinelli Neighborhood Resources of Madison (608) NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP TOOLKIT 19

20 SOCIAL MEDIA OUTREACH 2018 NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP TOOLKIT 20

21 SOCIAL MEDIA OUTREACH NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP MONTH ON SOCIAL MEDIA Social media is a tremendous way to increase awareness of National Homeownership Month and increase demand of HUD Housing Counseling. Below we ll walk through the ways in which you can easily share Homeownership Month content, which will ultimately help drive demand for housing counseling among consumers near your agency. Remember to include a call to action with your agency s contact information wherever possible. Visual Assets Below we ve included a link to download a National Homeownership Month profile picture and cover photo optimized for Facebook and Twitter as well as a general HUD National Homeownership Month graphic identifier for use in social media posts. Download from HUD Exchange 2018 NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP TOOLKIT 21

22 SOCIAL MEDIA OUTREACH National Homeownership Month Social Media Content Below we ve included sample social media content to help reach consumers throughout National Homeownership Month. Simply copy a post and paste it into your Facebook and/or Twitter accounts. We recommend posting to social media toward the end of the week between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm for the highest levels of engagement. *NOTE: Some emoji icons will not show up properly on this toolkit. Not to worry! Simply copy and paste them into Facebook/Twitter, and the emojis will show up as intended. 1. June is #NationalHomeownershipMonth! To help #FindYourPlace, this month our social media channels will transform into a resource to do just that. So what does it mean to #FindYourPlace? Check back throughout the month to find out! a. Attach Homeownership Month Graphic Identifier 2. Responsible #HomeOwnership is the key to building wealth. Make it happen with HUD Housing Counseling. #NHOM18 #FindYourPlace #NHOM[insert city name] a. Attach Gif: 3. It s like a Q&A for first-time homebuyers! #NHOM18 #FindYourPlace a. Link: 4. Buying a home is 37.7% cheaper than renting on a national basis according to Trulia. Get in touch today to learn how much you could save. #FindYourPlace #NHOM18 a. Link: 5. Ready to buy your first home? Avoid these four mistakes. #NHOM18 a. Attach link: 6. Buying your first home means you ll be touring a LOT of houses. Keep them straight with this handy checklist a. Attach link: 7. Set yourself up for success! Contact us before you buy and get the answers you need to #FindYourPlace. #NHOM NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP TOOLKIT 22

23 SOCIAL MEDIA OUTREACH a. Attach stat graphic from HUD Exchange 8. #DYK, there are programs and grants designed to help first-time homebuyers land a great mortgage on their first home? Here are nine to consider: a. Link: 9. Same money around the house with genius #LifeHacks from #NHOM18 #HomeTips a. Link: The 50/30/20 rule is a great starting point for anyone building a budget. What s your budgeting hack? #NHOM18 a. Attach link: #Homeowners: Do you have a current home inventory created? #NHOM18 a. Link: #DYK that in 2017, a #Homeowner s projected net worth was 45X greater than a renter s? #NHOM18 #FindYourPlace a. Attach stat graphic from HUD Exchange 2018 NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP TOOLKIT 23

24 SOCIAL MEDIA OUTREACH 13. Paying rent feel like this? We can help. #NHOM18 #FindYourPlace #NationalHomeownershipMonth a. Attach Gif: So how can HUD housing counseling help you? Contact us today to learn more! #NHOM18 a. Attach graphic from HUD Exchange 2018 NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP TOOLKIT 24

25 SOCIAL MEDIA OUTREACH Social Media Tips & Tricks In this section, we ve highlighted a few helpful tips and tricks so you can up your game on social media: 1. Schedule content on Facebook Facebook has you covered with the ability to schedule posts directly through the platform. Once you ve created a post on your Facebook page, instead of hitting Publish, click the drop-down arrow and click Schedule. That will bring up the option to select a date and time for the post. 2. Remove links from Facebook posts Long website links often detract from the aesthetics of a Facebook post. Fortunately, Facebook offers a link preview option that creates a visual snippet of a website link. Simply copy and paste the link you would like to share onto your Facebook page s post-creation text box. Once the preview appears, simply delete the link from the text box. The link preview will remain, allowing users to access the link without the clunky URL. 3. Show, don t tell, with emojis Emojis are a great way to spice up your social media content. With this free tool, you can copy and paste all the newest emojis right into Facebook or Twitter. 4. Simple photo editing Canva is a free graphic-design tool website with an easy-to-use, drag-and-drop interface that provides access to more than a million photographs, graphics, and fonts. Canva also offers a library of handy templates, including templates for social media platforms and infographic templates. Simply create a free account and start designing. 5. Hiding the link on Facebook Long website links often detract from the aesthetics of a Facebook post. Fortunately, Facebook offers a link preview option that creates a visual snippet of a website link. Simply copy and paste the link you would like to share onto your Facebook page s post-creation text box. Once the preview appears, simply delete the link from the text box. The link preview will remain, allowing users to access the link without the clunky URL NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP TOOLKIT 25

26 APPENDIX The following creative materials may be downloaded for your use from hud.gov/housingcounseling 2018 NATIONAL HOMEOWNERSHIP TOOLKIT 26

27 DID YOU KNOW? is the average credit score of first-time homebuyers. - Urban Institute HUD-APPROVED HOUSING COUNSELING IS YOUR TRUSTED RESOURCE. Empowering consumers to make informed housing decisions. HUDapproved housing counseling helps more than a million households every year. The approval of a housing counseling agency does not create or imply a warranty or endorsement by HUD of the approved agency or its employees to a prospective client or to any other organization or individual. Approval means only that the agency has met the qualifications and conditions prescribed by HUD. hud.gov/housingcounseling FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS CREDIT 101

28 WHY YOUR CREDIT COUNTS YOUR CREDIT SCORE QUICK TIPS FOR GOOD CREDIT Pay down your debt as much as possible Pay your bills on time Check your FREE credit report Carefully consider the number of new accounts you open Use your credit card responsibly Resolve credit issues immediately Avoid credit repair scams CREDIT SCORE SCALE Excellent 750 and higher Good Fair Poor Bad 549 and lower Understanding credit and how it affects your road to home is essential, as your credit history is a key factor in qualifying for a home loan. It s important to get the right information, from the right places. There are a lot of fake offers for free credit reports. One trusted source is annualcreditreport.com. Read on for the basics about credit and how you can make the road to home easier with the help of your local housing counseling agency. Also known as a FICO score, your credit score is what lenders use to determine your creditworthiness. If you have a history of paying bills on time, your lender can comfortably assume you ll pay back the credit extended to you. Credit-reporting bureaus use the information from your financial history to calculate your credit score. HOW WE CAN HELP LET S TALK ABOUT Reviewing your credit score Planning and budgeting Managing credit card debt Improving your credit The earlier you check your score in the homebuying process, the better, so you can determine if there are any issues with your score before house hunting. If you have any red flags that might negatively impact your score, you can talk with your local HUD-approved housing counseling agency about improving your credit. HOUSING COUNSELORS COAST TO COAST Thousands of HUD-approved agencies nationwide! The road to home is a journey, but you don t have to walk alone. To learn more about credit or to find a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, visit hud.gov/housingcounseling or call We re here to help get you home!

29 DID YOU KNOW? More than half of those counseled purchase a home within 1 year. - HUD Office of Policy Development and Research HUD-APPROVED HOUSING COUNSELING IS YOUR TRUSTED RESOURCE. Empowering consumers to make informed housing decisions. HUDapproved housing counseling helps more than a million households every year. The approval of a housing counseling agency does not create or imply a warranty or endorsement by HUD of the approved agency or its employees to a prospective client or to any other organization or individual. Approval means only that the agency has met the qualifications and conditions prescribed by HUD. hud.gov/housingcounseling FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS HOUSING COUNSELING & YOU

30 HOME STARTS HERE WE LL GET YOU THERE LET S TALK ABOUT How much home you can afford How much down payment you ll need The mortgage process Budgeting for your mortgage payment What to expect at closing And much more! WHO S ELIGIBLE FOR HOUSING COUNSELING First-time homebuyers Existing homeowners Renters Everyone! Buying your first home is exciting, but can also be overwhelming. It doesn t have to be. We re here to help you make your dream a reality. Read on to learn why planning your homebuying process with your local HUD-approved housing counseling agency is the right move. The first step to your new home starts with a trip to your local HUD-approved housing counseling agency. Once you determine that home ownership is the right choice for you, your housing counselor will discuss the next steps, such as finding the right home for you, choosing a lender, types of mortgages, and so much more. HOW WE CAN HELP HOUSING COUNSELORS COAST TO COAST WHY HUD-APPROVED HOUSING COUNSELING IS FOR YOU We re nationwide! Free or low-cost advice Experienced, impartial, housing counseling professionals Work together to find the right home for you Get budgeting tips, protect credit, prevent foreclosure and more! Thousands of HUD-approved agencies nationwide! Knowledge is power. Working with your HUDapproved housing counseling agency empowers you to make buying your first home a positive experience. You ll have what it takes to make the right choices in buying, and in being a responsible homeowner. The road to home is a journey, but you don t have to walk alone. To learn more about the homebuying process or to find a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, visit hud.gov/ housingcounseling or call We re here to help get you home!

31 DID YOU KNOW? 45x A homeowner s net worth is greater than a renter s. - Federal Reserve HUD-APPROVED HOUSING COUNSELING IS YOUR TRUSTED RESOURCE. Empowering consumers to make informed housing decisions. HUDapproved housing counseling helps more than a million households every year. The approval of a housing counseling agency does not create or imply a warranty or endorsement by HUD of the approved agency or its employees to a prospective client or to any other organization or individual. Approval means only that the agency has met the qualifications and conditions prescribed by HUD. hud.gov/housingcounseling FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS MORTGAGE 101

32 WHERE TO START ASK YOUR HOUSING COUNSELOR ABOUT Finding the right loan or loan originator How much house you can afford The documents you ll need Your credit score How much down payment you ll need A key step on the road to home is understanding the mortgage process. This part of the journey can be complex and confusing at times, but it doesn t have to be. Your HUD-approved housing counseling agency is here to help you navigate and learn the basics, so you can make informed decisions when seeking a loan. Read on for a quick primer on the mortgage process. UNDERSTANDING MORTGAGES NEXT STEPS 1. Prequalification or Pre-approval 2. Loan application 3. Home appraisal 4. Down payment 5. Closing Your mortgage is a loan. If you don t have the cash to purchase your home, you will have to borrow it. Over a designated period of time, you ll pay back what s owed. The conversation doesn t end here there are different types of mortgages and lenders. Talk to your local HUD-approved housing counseling agency to understand the process and make your way home. HOW WE CAN HELP LET S TALK ABOUT Types of mortgages Understanding down payment assistance Planning and budgeting Mortgage terms you ll need to know Avoiding scams in the homebuying process Your first step starts with a visit to your local HUD-approved housing counseling agency. Get the essentials you ll need to know before and after buying your home. Get impartial advice on your mortgage, preventing foreclosure, protecting your credit, and more. HOUSING COUNSELORS COAST TO COAST Thousands of HUD-approved agencies nationwide! The road to home is a journey, but you don t have to walk alone. To learn more about mortgages or to find a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, visit hud.gov/ housingcounseling or call We re here to help get you home!

33 DID YOU KNOW? People who participate in housing counseling average $11,300 less in total debt. Housing Counseling Works HUD-APPROVED HOUSING COUNSELING IS YOUR TRUSTED RESOURCE. Empowering consumers to make informed housing decisions. HUDapproved housing counseling helps more than a million households every year. The approval of a housing counseling agency does not create or imply a warranty or endorsement by HUD of the approved agency or its employees to a prospective client or to any other organization or individual. Approval means only that the agency has met the qualifications and conditions prescribed by HUD. hud.gov/housingcounseling FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS ON THE MONEY

34 MAKING CENTS OF THIS MONEY MATTERS HOW WE CAN HELP ASK YOUR HOUSING COUNSELOR ABOUT Fees and costs during the homebuying process Calculating monthly homeownership costs How your credit can affect your purchasing power Choosing the right type of mortgage for your budget How much down payment you ll need CONSIDER ALL THE COSTS Many lenders require you to have a certain amount of cash in reserve h h Needs versus wants The location of your home The type of home you want Homeowners insurance LET S TALK ABOUT Your current expenses versus your future expenses Making adjustments for repairs, emergencies and life events Paying down your debt Terms of the loan Your debt-to-income ratio and more! How much will your piece of the American Dream cost you? You might have your eye on your dream home, but it s essential to make sure you can afford it. Budgeting can be tricky, but your HUDapproved housing counseling agency can help you navigate and plan properly, based on your unique financial picture. Read on to see how you can get the most for your money. Don t pick those new drapes out or paint those walls just yet! You have a house to pay for. How much down payment will you need? Do you have the right amount saved for household repairs? How about inspection costs or closing costs? Fortunately, there s a smart way to be prepared for these and other budgeting questions that will come up during the homebuying process. Just schedule an appointment with your HUD-approved housing counseling agency. Your first step starts with a visit to your local HUD-approved housing counseling agency. Get the essentials you ll need to know before and after buying your home. Learn about the lending process, unexpected homeownership costs, creating and executing your budget, and making your mortgage payment on time. The tools for responsible homeownership are just a click or call away! HOUSING COUNSELORS COAST TO COAST Thousands of HUD-approved agencies nationwide! The road to home is a journey, but you don t have to walk alone. To learn more about budgeting or to find a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, visit hud.gov/housingcounseling or call We re here to help get you home!

35 SAVES YOU MONEY 200,000 households per year have improved their financial capacity. HUD-APPROVED HOUSING COUNSELING IS A TRUSTED RESOURCE Empowering consumers to make informed housing decisions. HUDapproved housing counseling helps more than a million households every year. The approval of a housing counseling agency does not create or imply a warranty or endorsement by HUD of the approved agency or its employees to a prospective client or to any other organization or individual. Approval means only that the agency has met the qualifications and conditions prescribed by HUD. hud.gov/housingcounseling HOUSING COUNSELING SMART MOVE!

36 HOUSING COUNSELING IS FOR EVERYONE ANY AGE, ANY INCOME First-time homebuyers Homeowners Homeowners at risk of foreclosure Reverse mortgages Renters Homeless Wherever you are in the housing process, you re faced with important decisions and have so many questions. Wouldn t it be great to have a trusted, unbiased professional to turn to for the knowledge and the guidance that empowers you to make the right moves for you every step of the way? You do! Your housing counselor is your personal housing advisor, with your best interests at heart. ANSWERS, INFORMATION, AWARENESS KNOW IT ALL Homebuying the whole story The real deal on renting Is a reverse mortgage right for you? Dealing with default Preventing foreclosure Maximizing your financial picture Buying a home? Make informed choices every step of the way. Already own? Protect your investment. Is a reverse mortgage the right option for you? Dealing with default or foreclosure? You may have options. Renting? Know your rights, and the ins and outs of leases. Get all the info you ll need. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER AT YOUR HOUSING COUNSELING AGENCY One-on-one counseling Classes, workshops, informational videos Resources and referrals Free or low cost to you Housing counselors are experienced, trained professionals with the answers you need for your housing decisions. Your housing counselor will work with you one-on-one to provide guidance to make the right choices based on your situation and your needs. What s more, the many services of your HUD-approved housing counseling agency are free or low-cost. HOUSING COUNSELORS COAST TO COAST Thousands of HUD-approved agencies nationwide! The road to home is a journey, but you don t have to walk alone. Wherever you are on your path, the answers you need are a click or a call away. To learn more about HUD housing counseling or to find a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, visit hud.gov/housingcounseling or call We re here to help get you home!

37 SAVES YOU MONEY 200,000 households per year have improved their financial capacity. HUD-APPROVED HOUSING COUNSELING IS A TRUSTED RESOURCE Empowering consumers to make informed housing decisions. HUDapproved housing counseling helps more than a million households every year. The approval of a housing counseling agency does not create or imply a warranty or endorsement by HUD of the approved agency or its employees to a prospective client or to any other organization or individual. Approval means only that the agency has met the qualifications and conditions prescribed by HUD. hud.gov/housingcounseling HOUSING COUNSELING SMART MOVE!

38 HOUSING COUNSELING IS FOR EVERYONE ANY AGE, ANY INCOME First-time homebuyers Homeowners Homeowners at risk of foreclosure Reverse mortgages Renters Homeless Wherever you are in the housing process, you re faced with important decisions and have so many questions. Wouldn t it be great to have a trusted, unbiased professional to turn to for the knowledge and the guidance that empowers you to make the right moves for you every step of the way? You do! Your housing counselor is your personal housing advisor, with your best interests at heart. ANSWERS, INFORMATION, AWARENESS KNOW IT ALL Homebuying the whole story The real deal on renting Is a reverse mortgage right for you? Dealing with default Preventing foreclosure Maximizing your financial picture Buying a home? Make informed choices every step of the way. Already own? Protect your investment. Is a reverse mortgage the right option for you? Dealing with default or foreclosure? You may have options. Renting? Know your rights, and the ins and outs of leases. Get all the info you ll need. KNOWLEDGE IS POWER AT YOUR HOUSING COUNSELING AGENCY One-on-one counseling Classes, workshops, informational videos Resources and referrals Free or low cost to you Housing counselors are experienced, trained professionals with the answers you need for your housing decisions. Your housing counselor will work with you one-on-one to provide guidance to make the right choices based on your situation and your needs. What s more, the many services of your HUD-approved housing counseling agency are free or low-cost. HOUSING COUNSELORS COAST TO COAST Thousands of HUD-approved agencies nationwide! The road to home is a journey, but you don t have to walk alone. Wherever you are on your path, the answers you need are a click or a call away. To learn more about HUD housing counseling or to find a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, visit hud.gov/housingcounseling or call We re here to help get you home!

39 HOUSING COUNSELING SMART MOVE! Make the right choices every step of the way. HUD-Approved HUD housing counseling agency workshops Informational videos, resources and referrals 1-on-1 personal counseling Free or low cost to you Save Money 200,000 households per year have improved their budgeting, credit scores and bottom-line financial capacity We re Everywhere Thousands of HUD-approved housing counseling agencies across the United States In person By telephone Via internet Find a HUD-approved housing counseling agency For Everyone Any age, any income status First-time homebuyers Reverse mortgages Homeowners & renters Homeowners at risk of foreclosure Homeless hud.gov/housingcounseling

40 HOUSING COUNSELING SMART MOVE! Make the right choices every step of the way. HUD-Approved HUD housing counseling agency workshops Informational videos, resources and referrals 1-on-1 personal counseling Free or low cost to you Save Money 200,000 households per year have improved their budgeting, credit scores and bottom-line financial capacity We re Everywhere Thousands of HUD-approved housing counseling agencies across the United States In person By telephone Via internet Find a HUD-approved housing counseling agency For Everyone Any age, any income status First-time homebuyers Reverse mortgages Homeowners & renters Homeowners at risk of foreclosure Homeless hud.gov/housingcounseling

41 HOUSING COUNSELING SMART MOVE! Make the right choices every step of the way. HUD-Approved Save Money HUD housing counseling agencies offer Informational videos, resources and referrals 1-on-1 counseling Free or low cost to you 200,000 households per year have improved their budgeting, credit scores and bottom-line financial capacity We re Everywhere For Everyone Thousands of HUD-approved housing counseling agencies across the United States In person By telephone Via internet Find a HUD-approved housing counseling agency Any age, any income status First-time homebuyers Reverse mortgages, homeowners & renters Homeowners at risk of foreclosure Homeless hud.gov/housingcounseling U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development