Home Buying Counseling

Before you buy, meet our housing counselors. Learn how to navigate the home buying process, apply for a mortgage, access downpayment assistance programs, understand your credit, keep your home and more! Receive your homeownership counseling certificate, which qualifies you for Maryland State and Baltimore City down payment and closing cost assistance programs.

To receive your certificate, you must complete education and individual counseling. See below for more info on each.

Not sure if you should start with the educational workshop or counseling? Call our office at 410-342-3234 and we’ll help you decide!

ON-LINE WORKSHOPS

There are two ways to complete your home buyer education online:

1. Complete your homebuyer education in a self-paced, online setting! Just follow this link: https://app.ehomeamerica.org/secdc The fee is $50, using the coupon code SECDC50.

2. Complete education through a FREE, live, interactive workshop with expert housing counselors, including plenty of time to answer your questions. Click here for our workshop registration page.

A spouse or co-borrower may attend the workshop at no additional charge.

If your register and need to cancel, please reach out to us at 410-342-3234 or at intake@southeastcdc.org. Missed the workshop? Contact us to reschedule

Para el Seminario en Español, CLICK AQUÍ.

INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING

After your workshop, meet in a one-on-one appointment with a housing counselor, who will offer important insights about your home buying situation.

We offer virtual appointments by telephone or video conference.

Email us at intake@southeastcdc.org or call us at 410-342-3234 to make your appointment!

BALTIMORE COUNTY HOME BUYERS

Southeast CDC does not provide Baltimore County Housing Counseling for the Settlement Expense Loan Program (SELP).  Baltimore County Buyers should contact one of the following agencies for assistance

Belair Edison Neighborhoods, Inc. (410) 485-8422

St. Ambrose  (410) 366-8550

Harbel Housing  (410) 444-9152

PAYING FOR SERVICES

Credit Report

We must review a credit report during one-on-one home buying counseling. Your credit report must be within the last three months and include a credit score. (Please note: a Credit Karma credit report is not acceptable.)  Your counselor can help you run a credit report during your one-on-one appointment.

Effective January 3, 2024, reports cost $33.50 for an individual and $67.00 for a joint report.

Credit reports can be paid via credit card here:

Individual Credit Report ($33.50)

Single Report $33.50

Joint Credit Report ($67.00)

Joint Report $67.00