HUD Counselor Certification: Requirements and Training Opportunities

Buying a place you can call home is a special moment in everyones life. However, knowing all about the process and understanding how to maximize your return from an investment is also key. This is why the modern market is filled with housing counselors that have HUD certifications, they canhelp first-time homebuyers.

In case you are as intrigued as to how housing counselors with HUD Certification Training can help you make the most out of your home while ensuring you don't fall into any mortgage trap, give the following article a good read.

How does it Work: Housing Counseling

For those of you that don't understand, housing counselors with HUD certification offer individualized, 1v1 support for potential and current homeowners alike. Counselors with HUD certification can also assist home buyers with plenty of different issues, be it for finding a home, picking the perfect mortgage product, or solving credit problems.

Not to mention that they can help current homeowners in navigating the obligations of homeownership and helping homeowners that are at risk of foreclosure for keeping their home, which also includes assistance with applying for a loan modification. This counseling is normally offered over a call or in person.

Housing Counselor: Roles and Responsibilities

Apart from helping the first time home buyers, counselors who have undergone HUD Certification Classes can also offer support and assistance in the following manner:

Housing counselors are known for offering reverse mortgage counseling to the elders of the community. This comes off as a low-risk lending option for individuals aged 62 and over. But before you get counseling for the same, make sure that it is the right decision for you in your situation.

In case foreclosure is on the front door, they can also help you understand what options you have . No matter if it's for saving the home or simply for getting out of the mortgage with the minimum financial and credit damage possible, a counselor can offer options that can make it a win-win situation for you. After this, they can review the budget to help find the best option for your financial scenario.

They have all the answers you need when it comes to home equity. Think of it like this -They can help in understanding when and how to access the equity in a home without risking foreclosure.

Steps for Becoming a Housing Counselor

Start with Training

The department of HUD in the US offers a different number of services for potential homebuyers and also for individuals that own homes, which includes counseling with many others. For becoming a HUD-certified housing counselor an individual has to receive training in programs, rules, and regulations of that department.

There are training programs also available for the individuals that are employed by the agencies that participate in HUD programs and also for individual housing counselors. Some of these programs offer certification along with appropriate scholarships that cover part or even all of the training costs for the ones that qualify.

A pro tip. There is research available training via HUD-endorsed organizations. There are plenty of great HUD-endorsed programs that offer coursework in a wide range of topics, be it lending basics, compliance with state and federal regulations, introduction to housing counseling, and education methods.

Other training and HUD certification programs can also make up for a great intermediary. The normal training is based on proven strategies and methods of delivery used by managers, agencies, and housing counselors.

Get Certified by Professional Organizations

Other than HUD certification, potential housing counselors are also eligible to obtain certification from professional organizations. The national association of housing counselors and agencies offers a great certification training program, along with four other additional specialized certification levels in agency, homeownership, tenancy, and administration.

The same certification requires a minimum of six years of experience and a bachelor's degree, or a combination of six years of experience and education. Apart from this, a resume and three letters of recommendation are also required in correspondence with NAHCA members. In order to become a housing counselor with HUD certification you need to complete the training course and pass the examination.

State-Specific Program Certification

Apart from national programs, the equation also includes state-specific training programs that can come in handy for housing counselors. For instance, the association of housing counselors offers both basic and advanced certification for counselors, with both tracks requiring written certification exams.

For starters, the basic certification includes an overview of studies and housing counseling combined with counseling skills, budgeting homeownership topics, and mortgages. Apart from all this, the advanced certification also goes into financial management, the mortgage industry, and even high-level counseling skills.

State and local training programs are easily available on the website of HUD and also via national and state housing organizations and departments.

Move Forward with Education

As per the national standards for homeownership education and counseling, a HUD-certified housing counselor should complete at least 10 hours of continuing education every year to keep up with all the changes in the housing industry.

Usually, certification programs require housing counselors who have undergone HUD certification training for obtaining continuing education so as to maintain and renew their credentials. For becoming a housing counselor, taking HUD certification classes is key with all types of certifications, and the completion of continued education requirements.

Benefits of Housing Counseling

Sustainable Household Budget

Although the education services that are offered by housing counseling remain invaluable, counselors can also help in developing a budget for homeownership as well as coming up with a way for you to knock down debt, save some, and boost your credit scores.

Reduced Risk of Defaulting on Mortgage

Having housing counseling beside you before making your first purchase in the housing sector can help a lot since you will be better informed about the decisions that purchasing in real estate revolves around, along with the responsibilities that come with owning a house. Statistics show that homeowners that participate in pre-education are less likely to not be consistent with their mortgage on the first two years of their loan.

Better Community

Participating in housing counseling before you make your dream purchase simply implies that you are investing in the community. The more people make use of housing counseling for reaping the financial benefits and educational benefits, the more they will contribute to making the community healthier.

Mortgage Matters

This is the goal at the end, right? HUD-certified housing counselors can help you make it and buy the home you have been dreaming of. With housing counseling, you can have access to fixed-rate loans, below-marketing mortgage rates, closing cost grants, down payment assistance programs and so much more.

Less Debt and Improved Homeownership

Recent surveys and studies have shown that people who have opted for housing counseling are less likely to encounter instances of foreclosure, while also impacting long-term credit scores in a positive manner. On average, people participating in housing counseling face 11,300 dollars less in household debt.