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Find a Counselor Search
How you have paid your debts in the past is an important indicator to mortgage lenders of how you will repay your mortgage. If you've had credit problems, or feel you need help managing your budget to prepare for homeownership, you may want to contact a housing and/or credit counseling agency to work with you in developing a plan. To find a housing, credit, or other counseling agency, choose the type of counseling you want from the "Type of Counseling" drop-down menu. Then, select the state where you want to search for a counseling agency. An item from each menu must be selected to perform a search. You can clear your selections at any time by pressing "Clear Fields." For additional information about the counseling available, read our Types of Counseling Available page and the "About Counselors and Agencies" section below. Disclaimer: This list was prepared by Fannie Mae for informational purposes only, and inclusion does not constitute Fannie Mae's endorsement, certification, or approval of any such agency or counseling services offered, nor is there any implication that an agency not on this list is not qualified to provide home buyer and credit counseling. Fannie Mae explicitly disclaims any and all responsibility for any particular counseling services provided by the agencies listed. About Counselors and Agencies Many of these agencies focus their efforts on helping low- to moderate-income individuals and charge little or nothing for their services. Other agencies may charge for their services or for other costs associated with counseling, such as obtaining and reviewing your credit report. These agencies are primarily community-based nonprofit groups that specialize in pre- and post-purchase homeowner education and credit counseling. (Some of these agencies also provide homeowner education classes for borrowers who use loan products that require such education as part of the loan approval.) Some counseling agencies may be affiliated with specific community development firms and may provide services only to those interested in buying properties built by that firm. Be sure to inquire about any terms and conditions before you enroll in a credit counseling program or pay any fees. Carefully investigate firms (including those who provide counseling exclusively online) that promise "easy" debt consolidation programs or that offer to "repair" your credit report for a fee. Unfortunately, if you face serious credit problems, there may be no "easy" answers. Also, in October 2003, the Federal Trade Commission, the Internal Revenue Service, and state regulators issued a consumer alert for those seeking assistance from tax-exempt credit counseling organizations. This consumer alert recommends that consumers check the following Web sites for further information:
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