Housing Counseling

BRI is certified by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, (HUD) as a Comprehensive Housing Counseling agency. Via the Home Counseling program, BRI provides first-time homebuyers with the information they need to understand the home buying process.

Through workshops and one-on-one counseling, BRI acquaints the first-time homebuyer with the process from start-to-finish: from finding a lender to understanding the interest rate, from signing the contract to maintaining their investment once the home has been purchased.

BRI also provide default counseling for homeowners who have fallen behind on their payments, and reverse mortgage counseling for senior homeowners who wish to access the equity in their homes while still living there. All sessions provided in English and Spanish.

Prepurchase Workshop:
Education for First-Time Homebuyers
(Click here for schedule of classes)
(Click here for Spanish version of scheduled classes)
Prepurchase/Renter Client Information form.

• Outlines steps involved in the purchase of a home
• Explains costs of home ownership
• Identifies sources for down payment assistance
• Demystifies lender lingo and procedures
• Qualifies participants for reduction of FHA mortgage insurance premium

Default Counseling: Help with Foreclosure Problems

• Options to avoid foreclosure
• The foreclosure process and timeframe
• Referrals for assistance from community agencies
• Repayment negotiation

Reverse Mortgage: A Source of Income for Seniors

• Allows senior homeowners to access the equity in their home
• Explains available options
• Explores specific situations
• Participants receive a certificate and list of lenders

Qualified buyers are a better prospect. Educated borrowers are a better risk.

BRI has served nearly 16,000 clients through its Home Counseling Program. In 2005, Home Counseling counseled:

• 2703 families counseled through program
• 482 seniors received reverse mortgage counseling
• 482 families received foreclosure counseling
• 253 families attended prepurchase workshops
• 1726 clients counseled by telephone