As part of Solid Ground's
Housing Counseling program, our Mortgage Counselors work with homeowners to avoid foreclosure in King, Pierce, Snohomish, Skagit, Island and Whatcom Counties. Counselors offer information on the foreclosure process, and can provide one-to-one assistance to secure community resources, develop a household budget, and negotiate with lenders for repayment strategies. Anyone in Washington State can call for information and referrals related to mortgages by calling the Mortgage Services hotline (see below).
UPCOMING FREE EVENT:
Mortgage Help Day, 10/2/10, 10am-4pm: Solid Ground is cosponsoring this FREE mortgage foreclosure prevention, counseling and resource day at South Seattle Community College.
About Mortgage Services at Solid Ground:
- FAQs: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Mortgage Default, Reverse Mortgage and Predatory Lending Counseling at Solid Ground. These FAQs may help you decide whether or not to start our intake process for mortgage counseling.
- Preguntas Frecuentes (Spanish FAQs): Preguntas y respuestas en consejería de pagos hiptecarios atrasados.
- Mortgage Counseling Client Hotline: 206.694.6766 or toll-free at 1.866.297.4300. Hotline hours are Mondays and Wednesdays from 7am to 4pm. Please leave us a message, and a Mortgage Counselor will return your call as soon as possible.
Self Help Mortgage Resources
- Sample Hardship Letter: A letter you can borrow text from to explain missed mortgage payments and request a repayment plan from your mortgage lender.
English: Sample Hardship Letter
Español: Ejemplo de una Carta de Dificultad
- Request a Mortgage Information Packet: Solid Ground Mortgage Counselors created an emailable mortgage information packet that helps homeowners begin the process of working with their lender to avoid foreclosure. It also offers referrals if you are not able to keep your home.
To request a Mortgage Information Packet, email us at housingcounseling@solid-ground.org, and please include your complete mailing address for tracking purposes. Please also let us know if you would like us to mail you a hard copy of the mortgage information packet. (If you have additional questions once you receive a packet, please call us at the mortgage hotline number above.)
Other Mortgage Resources
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Federal Government information on mortgages/ foreclosures:
Making Home Affordable Program:
This website helps homeowners determine their eligibility for either refinancing or modifying a loan through this program. It offers helpful information, including the steps to take to work with lenders to refinance or modify a loan.
Financial Stability website
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Abusive lending practices take advantage of borrowers by charging higher fees and hidden costs. Every borrower is at risk, however predatory lenders target communities of color, the elderly and those with less-than-perfect credit. As members of the Coalition for Responsible Lending, our Mortgage Counselors can give you the information and referrals you need to educate and protect yourself from predatory lenders. Anyone in Washington State can call for information and referrals related to predatory loans by calling the Mortgage Services hotline (see below) to speak to a mortgage counselor.
Predatory Lending Client Line: 206.694.6864
A reverse equity mortgage can be a great option for seniors who are "house rich/cash poor" by giving them money for their home while they continue to live in it. We provide counseling to seniors who want to know more about this option. Anyone in Washington State can call for information and referrals related to reverse equity mortgages by calling the Mortgage Services hotline (see below) to speak to a mortgage counselor.
Mortgage Counseling Client Hotline: 206.694.6766 or toll-free at 1.866.297.4300. Hotline hours are Mondays and Wednesdays from 7am to 4pm. Please leave us a message, and a Mortgage Counselor will return your call as soon as possible.
(Note: Even when the hotline is closed, seniors interested in receiving counseling can leave a message to schedule an appointment during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5pm.)
- AARP website: For more information about reverse equity mortgages.
Free Legal Advice/Services
Information on Buying a Home
- We partner with local agencies that help low- and moderate-income households achieve their dream of homeownership, and some of these partners can provide substantial down payment assistance. Our counselors can provide a quick screening for appropriate programs, and refer callers to the right agency for their needs, but you may also call the Community Home Ownership Center at 206.587.5641.
Free Checking Accounts
- Bank on Seattle/King County: Today, everybody can get a checking account and stop paying fees to cash checks. Even if you've had problems with an account in the past, have never had an account before, or don't have a Social Security number, you can open a bank or credit union account in Seattle and King County. Deposit your money for free and pay bills at no additional cost.
Phones: Mortgage Counseling Client Hotline: 206.694.6766
Predatory Lending Client Hotline: 206.694.6864
TTY: 7.1.1
Email: housingcounseling@solid-ground.org
FAX: 206.694.6795
Address: Solid Ground
Housing Counseling
1501 North 45th Street
Seattle, WA 98103-6708