Housing Counselor: A housing counselor is specially trained to help assess prospective home buyers’ financial situations, evaluate options if they are having trouble paying their mortgage loan, and make a plan to get help. Unlike a broker, servicer, or another representative of one’s mortgage loan company, a housing counselor can offer independent advice. These services are often provided at little or no cost. Foreclosure prevention counseling and counseling services for homeless persons are available free of charge through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Housing Counseling Program. Call the CFPB (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau) at 1-855-411-2372 to be connected to a HUD-approved housing counselor.
