Homeownership Program in the Bay Area

Since 1981 RNHS has worked to transform the Southside communities of Richmond California. Do not let time pass by without action, call us today! In 1992, RNHS launched its Homeownership Initiative. Our nationally certified counselors provide impartial information to potential homebuyers; homeowners, in the following areas:

  • Pre-Purchase
  • Mortgage Delinquency and Default Resolution
  • Rental Housing Counseling

Whether you are a first-time homebuyer, a renter dreaming of homeownership, a homeowner in need of home maintenance assistance and training, or the person who think that renting may be a better than buying a home but need to know more about understanding the terms of a lease agreement, how to calculate rent affordability and use of budgeting tools make the overall experience of renting a positive one. RNHS can help. We offer training, referrals and other assistance to help you gain financial independence to achieve your dreams. We have several programs to suit your needs.

For more information, email the HomeOwnership Center at info@eastbaynhs.org or call our offices at (510) 237-6459.


Woman pointing, standing in front of whiteboard

Are you a renter who dreams of owning your own home?

Are you a first-time homebuyer or a re-entry homebuyer wanting to avoid the high renting market?

Deciding to buy a home can be one of the most overwhelming times in your life. RNHS can help minimize the stress that goes along with buying a home.

We offer a simple, 3-step process designed to put you in the driver’s seat, get you the best deal, and purchase a home so that you can start building assets for you and your family. Are you ready? Let’s go:

Step 1: Attend an RNHS “Pre-Purchase Homebuyer Workshop”

Check our Events tab for dates and locations.

This class of educational meeting is designed to provide first-time homebuyers with the knowledge to shop for an affordable home, access government-sponsored financial support programs, get the right mortgage product, and learn how to avoid foreclosure. This program is recommended for all first-time homebuyers and suggested for re-entry homebuyers. Complete your application HERE before registering and submit it along with copies of ALL the required documentation. Credit report fee of $30 per individual or $55 per married couple may apply. Payment can be paid with check, money order or make your payment now HERE. Online payments will include a non-refundable transaction fee of $1.50.

RNHS Pre-Purchase Homebuyer Workshops are free. For dates and locations click here.

We also offer an alternative, online course.

PRE-PURCHASE HOMEBUYER APPLICATION

Step 2: After you finish the class, your RNHS counselor will assess your financial capability, working together will create your Capital, Capacity, and Credit; maximizing your income, control your spending, create or increase savings and make your credit strong to find out which affordable housing programs you qualify for, identify a credible lender that will work for you, and get you ready to shop for your home! Find the right loan and get pre-approved. There are hundreds of loan programs and thousands of lenders looking for your business. RNHS will show you how to find the right one for you. We have established relationships with some of the largest lenders in the country. Our nationally HUD-certified counselors can help you avoid dealing with a predatory lender.

Step 3: Go shopping! Once you have been pre-approved, RNHS will match you with a pre-screened, local real estate professional who will work for you and provides RNHS-qualified buyers with personal support and representation at no cost to you.

Additionally, RNHS has a list of pre-screened, participating Realtors to assist you in getting the most for your money. These realtors understand the unique needs of buyers in our region. To obtain a personal referral, speak with your RNHS counselor.

Ready to get started on the road to homeownership? Contact our Main Office and speak with a counselor today!

Happy family spending time together on bed

Take the first step towards homeownership and financial empowerment. RNHS is pleased to offer our certified E-learning Pre-Purchase Education Program for families looking to own a home. The online Home Buyer Education and counseling is offered in English as well in Spanish. The fee is $99.00/ Per Registration on eHomeAmerica Online Homebuyer Education. The cost includes your credit report fee.

Please fill out the application, sign it and mail it to our main office. Once your application is processed, we will schedule your initial one-on-one counseling session with a HUD certified personal counselor.

To enroll in the E-learning Pre-Purchase Education Program:

Click HERE to start your online class.

Once you have completed the online course, and finished with the one-on-one counseling session you will receive the certification of completion.

If you are already in escrow and you want to speed up the process, please submit your completed application as soon as possible to receive your certificate. If we are missing information this will delay your certificate and most importantly, a personal counselor to guide you every step of the way.

Mortgage Delinquency & Default Resolution service offers free and confidential counseling for homeowners who are facing financial trouble and avoid foreclosure. Our HUD-certified counselors are reputable professionals that will work to provide accurate and unbiased information to help you identify the best strategy to preserve homeownership when possible.

According to recent studies, homeowners working with HUD-approved counselors are more likely to obtain a positive outcome from their Lender.

How it works:

1. Complete and submit the Mortgage Delinquency Intake Application
and submit it along with copies of ALL the required documentation. Be sure to include your loan number in upper right hand of all pages submitted with your application package. The package can be delivered by mail, certified mail or courier. NO FAXES.

2. Once the application is submitted, a program assistant confirms that all required documents are received. The file is then assigned to a foreclosure prevention counselor. Your counselor will contact you to arrange an appointment to review your documents, and prepare to negotiate with your lender. Client appointments are scheduled according to the severity of their situation, then by in-take date (for example, homeowners who have a Trustee Sale Date scheduled are seen BEFORE a homeowner who is not delinquent). All other considerations being equal, clients are seen in the order their application is received.

3. To help increase the probability of a successful outcome, we suggest you follow the proven tips and instructions provided by your counselor. Once you have made all the recommended adjustments, your counselor will submit your package directly to your Lender.
Your lender will work directly with you on finding the best solution for your situation. However, your counselor will be with you every step of the way, helping you understand the Lender’s position, and helping you makes a quality decision that is in your best interest.

Furthermore, this is WHAT YOU SHOULD DO:

Call your Congressperson, your Senators, and the White House and tell them that “The HUD housing counseling program is the ONLY federal program that provides explicit support to homeowners facing foreclosure. Let them know that your lender has not been responsive to your request for a loan modification–after they received their bailout with taxpayers’ money.”

CALL TODAY!!!!

House of Representatives: 1-800-962-3524 ask for your Representative

Senate: 1-800-962-3524 ask for both your Senators

White House: 1-202-456-1414 ask for the Comment Line

-Or-

Find your Representative online here

Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. is pleased to announce our new Rental Housing Counseling program.

Rental Counseling has been designed to support an individual's understanding and mastering of “basic” financial habits as it relates to budgeting, and managing credit.

This is ideal for those who are exploring homeownership or looking to create sustainable financial practices to address the day-to-day needs related to managing one’s financial household.

This section of our programs will prepare you to:

  • Understand Resident Rights and
    Responsibilities
  • Improve Financial Literacy
  • Reduce Debt
  • Improving Overall Credit Health
  • Preparing for Homeownership.

Click here to complete the rental housing counseling application and submit it with copies of ALL the required documentation. The package can be delivered by mail, certified mail, or courier. A credit report fee of $30 per individual or $55 per married couple may apply. Payment can be made with a check, money order, or online HERE. Online payments will include a non-refundable transaction fee of $1.50.

Do not let time pass by without action. Call us today!

House in hand against spring green background. Real estate concept

RNHS is the property owner and manager of over thirty single-family and multi-family homes in the City of Richmond and Oakland

At this time, we do not have any rental properties available.

For more updated information, contact Cymone Goree at: cymone@eastbaynhs.org or (510) 237-6459, ext. 1602.

Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (510) 237-6459 info@eastbaynhs.org