Certified Housing Counseling
Meet one-on-one with a housing counselor to make a plan to achieve your financial and housing goals.
Free One-on-One Housing Help
Our Housing Counseling program offers free*, personalized support to help you with every step of your housing journey, whether you’re looking for a home, figuring out your finances, or trying to stay in the home you have. We are a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. (*A small fee for a credit report may apply.)
Our Certified Housing Counselors are here to guide you based on your unique needs and financial situation, both now and in the future.
Types of Counseling We Offer
Pre-purchase Counseling
Prepare for homeownership by learning about the buying process, mortgage options, credit readiness, and budgeting.
GOAL: Make informed housing decisions
Foreclosure Prevention Counseling
We’ll help you explore options such as loan modification or repayment plans, and work with lenders to find alternatives to foreclosure.
GOAL: Prevent loss of home
Budgeting Counseling
Assistance with creating a budget, managing money, reducing debt, improving credit, and making informed housing choices.
GOAL: Achieve financial stability
Home Improvement Counseling
Learn ways to plan and pay for home repairs or upgrades, including explanation of costs and access to loans or grants.
GOAL: Maintain your home
Disaster Counseling
Prepare for potential disasters and access recovery resources, repair assistance, and temporary or long-term housing options.
GOAL: Prepare for and respond to disaster
Rental Counseling
Access assistance with budgeting for rent, understanding lease agreements, and understanding tenant rights and responsibilities.
GOAL: Find and maintain affordable, stable rental housing
Get Started Today!
Tell us more about yourself so we can get you scheduled with one of our certified Housing Counselors. Questions? Please contact home@habitatorlando.org or 407-648-4567 (press option 5).
How It Works
Step One
Sign Up
Click “Sign Up” to submit your interest form and then check your email for your intake packet.
Step Two
Complete the Intake Packet
Complete the intake packet and submit the required documents. Need help? Email us at home@habitatorlando.org.
Step Three
Make An Appointment
After you submit your information, we’ll reach out to book your counseling appointment.
Step Four
Attend Your First Session
Sit down with one of our HUD-certified housing counselors to make a plan. You’re on your way to achieving your housing goals!
Required Documentation
Interested in Buying Your First Home?
Pre-purchase counseling helps individuals and families prepare for homeownership by educating them about the buying process, mortgage options, credit readiness, and budgeting. Certified Housing Counselors review financial situations and provide guidance to help clients make informed, sustainable homebuying decisions.
Meet the Team
Certified First-Time Homebuyer Workshop
(Homebuyer Educational Seminar)
Our Workshops
Our Orange County workshops are held twice a month – once in English and once in Spanish. They are held in person as well as virtually. Check our class calendar for details. These workshops are free and open to all, whether you’re looking to purchase a home through Habitat or on the open market. Attending a seminar is a requirement for applying to Orange County’s down-payment assistance program. This interactive workshop allows you to engage and ask questions.
What You Will Learn
During this HUD-approved, 8-hour certificate class, you will learn about:
- Financial readiness
- Credit
- Shopping for lenders and mortgages
- Down-payment assistance programs
- Working with realtors
- Homeowners’ insurance
- Home maintenance and inspection
- What a home title is
- How to apply for homestead exemption
- Fair housing
- And much more!
Ready to take your first step into homeownership?
Join us for a free Certified First-time Homebuyer Workshop (FTHBW) where you will learn what it takes to become homebuyer ready!