Buying for the first time
Compare the full monthly cost, counseling, and legitimate assistance before choosing a loan.
Start hereHomeownership assistance and mortgage help
The right path depends on whether you are preparing to buy, maintaining a mortgage, or responding to a payment crisis. Use official counseling and compare total costs—not just the advertised payment.
A mortgage payment is at risk
Contact the servicer and a HUD-approved counselor before missing more deadlines.
Start hereForeclosure has started
Protect response dates and review loss-mitigation options without paying an advance-fee company.
Start hereHomeownership guides
Each guide explains what to check, who to contact, and which documents or questions can prevent avoidable delays.
Disaster housing assistance: FEMA, insurance, and SBA loans
Navigate insurance, FEMA assistance, SBA disaster loans, and local recovery help. Track deadlines and avoid duplicate benefits.
Disaster recoveryFirst-time homebuyer grants and down payment assistance
Find first-time homebuyer grants and down payment assistance. Compare repayment terms, income limits, counseling, and state housing programs.
First-time buyersBuying a manufactured home: financing, land, and titles
Check land ownership, title, park costs, financing, inspections, and local protections before buying a manufactured home.
Manufactured homesMortgage payment assistance and hardship options
Struggling with mortgage payments? Compare forbearance, repayment plans, and loan modifications, and find HUD-approved housing counseling.
Mortgage helpHow to recognize mortgage relief and foreclosure scams
Recognize mortgage rescue scams, check a provider’s credentials, avoid improper upfront fees, and find legitimate foreclosure help.
Scam preventionRent-to-own and contract for deed: costs and risks
Understand lease-option and contract-for-deed risks, ownership terms, balloon payments, and protections to check before signing.
Buyer bewareReverse mortgages: HECM eligibility, costs, and risks
Understand HECM reverse mortgage eligibility, fees, counseling, repayment triggers, and homeowner responsibilities before comparing alternatives.
Reverse mortgagesForeclosure help: your options and legal rights
Organize foreclosure notices, contact your servicer, seek housing counseling and legal aid, and understand loss-mitigation deadlines.
Foreclosure helpHabitat for Humanity and sweat-equity homeownership
Learn how Habitat homeownership, sweat equity, mutual self-help housing, and community land trusts work, with local application steps.
Sweat equityHeirs’ property: protecting an inherited home
Understand inherited ownership, probate, tangled titles, tax risks, and where to find legal help to protect a family home.
Inherited homesHome improvement financing: grants and loan options
Compare repair grants, rehabilitation loans, home equity borrowing, and other financing before committing your home or savings.
Repair financingHome insurance: coverage, claims, and costs
Understand home and renters insurance coverage, deductibles, exclusions, claim records, and how to compare policies.
InsuranceFHA, VA, USDA, and conventional home loans compared
Compare FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional mortgages, including down payments, insurance costs, eligibility, and official loan limits.
Mortgage optionsHUD-approved housing counseling: services and costs
Find HUD-approved housing counseling for renting, buying, foreclosure, or reverse mortgages. Learn which services are free and what to ask.
Housing counselingHUD homes and the Good Neighbor Next Door program
Understand HUD home sales and Good Neighbor Next Door eligibility, bidding, occupancy requirements, and misleading one-dollar-home claims.
HUD homesProperty tax relief and home insurance assistance
Find property tax exemptions, deferrals, appeals, and insurance assistance. Check local eligibility, deadlines, and repayment obligations.
Taxes and insuranceRenting vs. buying a home: compare the costs
Compare renting with buying using housing costs, maintenance, transaction fees, savings, and how long you expect to stay.
Rent or buyHomeownership costs: a household budget checklist
Build a homeownership budget that includes taxes, insurance, utilities, repairs, association fees, closing costs, and emergency savings.
Homeownership budget