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Location: Housing

CCCS Offers Free Housing Counseling

by CCCS Atlanta

Behind on your mortgage? Buying your first house?

A call to Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) can be a real benefit to a mortgage-strapped homeowner, a potential
homeowner, or a renter. CCCS, a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, provides comprehensive services free of charge
to help consumers achieve their housing goals.

These services, which are easily accessible by telephone and at several locations throughout North Georgia and South
Florida, include individual and family sessions as well as Homebuyer Workshops that meet down-payment assistance program
and mortgage product guidelines.

“Our certified counselors know that a home is more than just a roof and four walls. It is an important foundation for a family
and usually the largest part of any family''s budget,” CCCS President Suzanne Boas said. “We really hope consumers will take
advantage of our free services to examine their options and make educated decisions.”

CCCS offers the following housing counseling and education services:

Rental Counseling—Pre-occupancy or delinquency counseling offers advice after a thorough analysis of the
consumer’s financial situation.
Pre-purchase Counseling —A one-on-one session covers the basics of buying a house. Each client receives a
user-friendly booklet covering the home-buying process. Pre-purchase clients may communicate with a counselor as
often as they like for advice.
Homebuyer Education Workshops —CCCS conducts group workshops explaining the home-buying process. These
seminars are HUD-approved to meet down-payment assistance and special mortgage product education requirements.
Post-purchase counseling —This counseling helps a consumer better manage expenses after buying a home and
carefully consider decisions about second mortgages, equity loans, home improvement loans or refinancing.
Mortgage Default/Delinquency Counseling —The main focus of this session is to help a consumer bring the
mortgage current. Counselors help develop a priority budget and explain options available to save the property.
Reverse Equity Mortgage Counseling —This session explains the advantages and disadvantages of a Reverse
Equity Mortgage, a potential option for homeowners age 62 or older. A “reverse mortgage” enables a consumer to use
home equity to increase income without moving out of the home or making regular loan payments.

For more information about CCCS housing services, call 888-771-HOPE (4673) or access the Web site. Some housing
counseling services are also available in Spanish.

About CCCS of Atlanta

Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Atlanta is a nonprofit, community service agency dedicated to empowering people to
achieve a lifetime of economic freedom. CCCS Atlanta provides free, confidential budget counseling, community and personal
money management education, debt management programs, and comprehensive housing counseling. Contact CCCS Atlanta
by phone at 1-888-771-HOPE (4673), or visit the Web site.

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