MMI, a widely available nonprofit credit counseling service, helps consumers handle debt and manage their finances.
Financial distress that comes in many shapes and sizes and is experienced by thousands of people, and no one service can address the needs of all consumers. That's why MMI offers a wide range of counseling services which you can access every day, in order to address some of the most common and troubling issues consumers face today with their financial challenges. Our experts are available online and by phone 24/7.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we take pride in providing unbiased advice and expert instruction.
Money Management International is one of the most accessible credit counseling agencies in the country. Consumers looking for budgeting help can start the intake process at the agency’s online portal, with the option of chatting with a counselor on the website or calling a counselor at any time in the process for help.
MMI is available in all 50 states and may be a good fit if you:
Want 24/7 phone access for debt and budget counseling.
Like virtual options; online classes and webinars are free at MMI’s online resource hub.
Prefer in-person counseling; MMI has brick-and-mortar locations in 25 states.
All of our services and efforts are inspired by our commitment to the following six principles:
Innovation
We blend technology, skill, and teamwork to serve individuals and communities with efficiency, speed, and accuracy.
Collaboration
We work closely with industry and community partners to develop programs that address today’s most pressing consumer issues.
Responsiveness
We align our solutions to client goals, needs, and capacity, to provide consumers with the help they need, when and where they want it.
Empathy
We recognize the stress and anxiety that comes with financial challenges and we strive to fill every client encounter with warmth and empathy.
Advocacy
We engage in public policy debates and the development of effective consumer protections in an effort to create a safe and level playing field for all consumers.
Confidentiality
We meet and exceed required security parameters while treating clients and their personal data with unconditional dignity.
Click here, then hover over Financial Education to view Free educational resources from our money experts.
Contact Us:
To schedule an interview with an MMI expert or peer advocate, please contact us here or call us at 404-490-2227.
We engage in public policy debates and the development of effective consumer protections in an effort to create a safe and level playing field for all consumers.
Our mission:
We want to help navigate you through the challenges that are and the ones that may someday be, not simply to provide solutions to financial problems; we want to help expand your goals and strive forward toward those goals with confidence and grace; we want you to believe in your ability to live a peaceful, financially stable life.
Services provided:
- Credit Counseling
- Debt Management Plans
- Foreclosure Counseling
- Homebuyer Counseling
- Credit Report Reviews
- Reverse Mortgage Counseling
- Student Loan Counseling
- Post-Disaster Financial Recovery
- Bankruptcy Counseling and Education
Outreach:
At MMI, we:
Support fresh starts by enabling families to put difficult challenges behind themselves, while better preparing for the road ahead.
Provide senior-oriented solutions in order to help seniors approaching and in retirement make the most of their available funds.
Assist underserved communities through specialized programs for at-risk populations, including veterans and immigrants.
We offer numerous programs and serve a wide variety of consumers.
Empower individuals to find goals that matter to them, take action to reach those goals, and overcome any and all obstacles that stand in their way.
Stabilize households in distress by providing direct, immediate assistance and long-term guidance, with the goal of creating ongoing financial wellness.
Strengthen communities by helping consumers recover from major setbacks, including potential eviction or foreclosure, reducing community-wide ripple effects.
Respond to emerging issues with new programs and services developed by experts and delivered to consumers where they need it most.
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Sunday: - See Below |
"We provide free expert advice and support for homeowners in all stages of mortgage delinquency."
You’re not alone. Let our experts help you discover the best foreclosure prevention options for you and your home.
As scary as it may feel to fall behind on your rent or mortgage, there are steps you can take and programs you can use to rehabilitate your loan, repair your relationship with your landlord, and keep you in your home. Foreclosure and eviction counseling is offered free to any homeowner or renter concerned about their ability to manage their monthly mortgage or rent payments and is a great first step on the road to rehabilitation.
Foreclosure and eviction counseling includes a one-on-one conversation with a trained specialist. You’ll work together with your counselor, discussing the cause of your issues, reviewing your finances, and deciding on an action plan to help you meet your goals. Since MMI is not a lender, we do not provide consumer loans. We can, however, if needed, help connect you with a lender or mortgage servicer to begin the rehabilitation process for your delinquent mortgage.
It’s important to note, however, that the sooner you act, the more options you have. Our counselors are certified and trained to create a plan of action designed just for you and your situation. We don't just offer general advice - we help you take action. Keep in mind that your options will vary depending on your specific circumstances. It’s possible that there may not be a way to prevent a foreclosure that's already in progress. That’s why it’s important to seek help as soon as you begin to struggle. So don’t wait until you feel absolutely desperate - take action as soon as you realize you need help.
Who can benefit?
- Those worried about making next month's mortgage or rent payment
- Those who are already behind on their mortgage or rent payments
- Those worried they may lose their home
The Importance of Housing Counseling for Renters:
Many housing counseling agencies are committed to serving clients that are rent burdened or may be facing eviction. The collection of resources on this page are for housing counselors working with clients to prevent eviction. Families struggling to keep up with rent and utility costs are often living one emergency or misstep away from losing their housing.
Housing counseling agencies play an essential role in reducing evictions by:
Helping clients identify an affordable unit
Providing information to renters on tenant rights and fair housing issues
Counseling on household budgeting and good rental practices
Connecting clients with community resources
Will you talk to my lender?
Your counseling session is completely confidential. We won't speak to any third party unless you ask us to.
The sooner you start, the more options you’ll have
If you're feeling anxiety about your home, the worst thing you can do is nothing. Our foreclosure experts are available 24/7 to help you understand your options and start taking action to avoid a potential foreclosure.
Begin the course online here.
Or
Connect by phone:
Schedule an appointment or begin immediately.
Contact us at 866-889-9347.
Click here to review more neccesary information regarding foreclosure and eviction.
This program provides counseling to consumers on seeking, financing, maintaining, renting, or owning a home. The program also addresses homelessness through counseling and assists homeowners in need of foreclosure assistance.
The servicer must mail you a Notice of Default and Intent to Accelerate. ("Accelerate" means to demand that the entire balance of the loan be repaid). This notice has to give you at least 20 days to cure the default. (Tex. Prop. Code § 51.002(d) (2024).) The breach letter that the servicer sends can satisfy this requirement.
Notice of Sale. After the cure period expires, and at least 21 days before the foreclosure sale, the servicer then mails a Notice of Sale to each borrower. The servicer must also post the Notice of Sale at the courthouse door and file it with the county clerk. (Tex. Prop. Code § 51.002(b) (2024).)
Agencies must provide counseling without charge to persons who demonstrate they cannot afford the fees;
Agencies must inform clients of the fee structure in advance of providing services;
Fees must be commensurate with the level of services provided.
Whether you’ve lost your job, are struggling to make ends meet, or are currently delinquent; don’t wait to contact us.
Federal law generally requires the servicer to wait until the loan is over 120 days delinquent before officially starting a foreclosure. However, in a few situations, like if you violate a due-on-sale clause or if the servicer is joining the foreclosure action of a superior or subordinate lienholder, the foreclosure can begin sooner.
In Texas, the foreclosing lender has to give two notices of the foreclosure: a notice of default and a notice of sale.
Notice of Default and Intent to Accelerate. The servicer must mail you a Notice of Default and Intent to Accelerate. ("Accelerate" means to demand that the entire balance of the loan be repaid). This notice has to give you at least 20 days to cure the default. (Tex. Prop. Code § 51.002(d) (2024).) The breach letter that the servicer sends can satisfy this requirement.
Notice of Sale. After the cure period expires, and at least 21 days before the foreclosure sale, the servicer then mails a Notice of Sale to each borrower. The servicer must also post the Notice of Sale at the courthouse door and file it with the county clerk. (Tex. Prop. Code § 51.002(b) (2024).)
Foreclosure prevention counseling is provided for free. There is no cost and no risk to use this service.
Buying a home is one of biggest financial commitments you can make.
Do I need homebuyer counseling or homebuyer education?
Homebuyer counseling and homebuyer education courses cover slightly different topics and may be required at different stages of the homebuying process.
Check with your lender before starting any homebuyer counseling or education course to ensure that it will satisfy the requirements of your program.
Homebuyer counseling:
- Is provided one-on-one with a counselor or as an instructor-led course,
- Must be completed before closing and preferably before selecting a home, and
- Is highly comprehensive with focus on understanding the entire mortgage process and the responsibilities of homeownership.
Homebuyer counseling and education can help anyone who plans on purchasing a house in the near future, but is especially helpful for consumers who:
- Are struggling to build a large enough down payment
- Worry that their credit may not be strong enough to qualify for a prime rate mortgage
- Don't understand the monthly costs associated with owning a home
- Need to complete a homebuyer counseling or education course in order to qualify for a specialized loan program
Prospective homeowners have two primary options: one-on-one homebuyer counseling and self-guided homebuyer education courses.
Homebuyer Counseling
During a one-on-one homebuyer counseling session you'll work together with a trained counselor to review your finances and formulate a plan to help you find a home you can afford. The goal is to help you understand where you stand and what steps you'll need to take in order to save an adequate down payment, qualify for an affordable mortgage, and successfully manage the month to month costs of homeownership.
If applicable, your counselor may discuss available loan programs and their requirements.
You should leave your session with a budget, a clearly defined plan of action, and a certificate of completion (if applicable).
Online Homebuyer Education Courses
In additional to live, one-on-one homebuyer counseling, MMI also offers online homebuyer education courses.
What types of homebuyer counseling and education do you offer?
We offer a variety of homebuyer counseling and education programs to satisfy most loan requirements.
These courses are self-paced, engaging, and mobile-friendly. All courses are available in both English and Spanish. Each course is designed to prepare you for every facet of the home buying process. You can sign-up and begin a course at any time.
After successfully completing your program, you’ll receive an action plan and a homebuyer counseling and education certificate.
Check with your lender to see what type of certificate you need before starting.
What is Down Payment Assistance?
Down payment assistance is usually a loan or grant provided by a third party, although some assistance programs offer tax breaks instead. These programs are typically funded by government agencies, charities, or private foundations. Assistance can work in a variety of ways.
For example, the Chenoa Fund is a program that offers eligible FHA-insured home loan borrowers 3.5% of the home’s purchase price as a 0% interest second mortgage with a 30-year term. This interest-free second mortgage helps cover the cost of the down payment and is typically forgiven as long as the borrower makes 36 consecutive, on-time payments on the first mortgage.
Most programs are similar, offering funds at little or no interest to help cover the down payment. They may even offer loan forgiveness under certain circumstances.
Eligibility
- A homeowner is eligible for counseling if
the loan is secured by the homeowner’s principal residence. - the home loan is not assisted by the Farmers Home Administration.
- the homeowner is, or is expected to be, unable to make payments, correct
a home loan delinquency within a reasonable time, or resume full home
loan payments because of a loss in income owing to
– an involuntary loss of, or reduction in, the homeowner’s employment, the homeowner’s self-employment, or income from the pursuit of the homeowner’s occupation; or
– any similar loss or reduction experienced by any person who contributes to the homeowner’s income Contents of notice : - The notice must:
1. notify the homeowner of the availability of any homeownership counseling offered by the creditor.
2. provide either a list of HUD-approved nonprofit homeownership counseling organizations or the toll-free number3 HUD has established through which a list of such organizations may be obtained.
Timing of notice:
1.The notice must be given to a delinquent homeowner borrower no later
Who Qualifies for Down Payment Assistance?
Down payment assistance programs are highly localized, so the required qualifications will be unique to each program. However, a few common qualifications apply to many programs, including the following:
- You’re a first-time homebuyer
- You’re a low-income borrower (check the program’s income requirements)
- The down payment assistance program is directly connected to select loan programs
- You may be required to use a specific list of participating lenders for your mortgage
Additionally, most programs require that the property being purchased will be your primary residence. In other words, people looking to buy a second house or a rental property wouldn’t qualify for down payment assistance.
What is Required to Be Accepted into a Program?
Different down payment assistance programs have different requirements. Some may require that you complete first-time homebuyer counseling (or an online course). Some may require that you participate in a support program to ensure that you successfully manage your payments. Some may offer benefits for consistently making full, on-time payments (or penalties for failing to do so).
The online course prices range from $35 to $99.
Pre-Purchase / First Time Homebuyer Counseling: Fee is $149.
Intended for consumers planning on buying a home and interested in understanding more about the process. (Includes a complete review of the homebuyers’ current finances and an overview of the costs and considerations that come with owning a home.)
High-Cost Loan Counseling: Fee is $159.
Intended for consumers closing on a “high-cost” mortgage. The Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act (HOEPA) defines high-cost mortgages as loans where the annual percentage rate (APR) is substantially higher than the average prime rate offer for similar mortgages. (HOEPA requires that consumers receive homebuyer counseling to understand the costs and other implications of such a loan before the loan can be closed.)
HomeREACH Mortgage Prep Program: Fee varies on total # of check-ins.
Designed for consumers interested in homeownership who may not currently qualify for a mortgage because of credit issues, a poor debt-to-income ratio, or other reasons.
Begins with an initial session to determine what needs to be addressed, followed by monthly check-ins to monitor progress, and capped with a final counseling session when you’re ready to purchase a home.
Online homebuyer education courses
Self-paced online homebuyer education courses are available to begin anytime. For program details, visit our course listing.
Check with your lender before beginning an online homebuyer education course to ensure that it satisfies the requirements of your loan program.
Note: All online homebuyer education course links will direct you to another website.
Essentials for Buying a Home ($45) - This program meets HUD and National Industry Standards for homebuyer programs, and to provide the tools and education you need for successful long term homeownership. Learn the ins and outs of the home buying process from the experts at MMI.
Framework($75) - The Framework program meets all HUD and National Industry Standards for homebuyer programs and is mobile-friendly for your convenience. Learn how much you can afford, how to choose the best loan for you, how to close on your home, and more.
eHome America ($99) - This program meets the National Industry Standards for homebuyer education and designed to give you the knowledge to confidently manage the homebuying process. If you're a first-time homebuyer looking to understand the process or need a homebuyer education certificate in order to qualify for a loan, eHome America is the course for you!