Steps to Home Ownership

Download Intake Form
Form must be returned to Piedmont Housing Alliance at 111 Monticello Ave. Ste. 104 Charlottesville, VA 22902 (on the corner of Monticello Ave and Gleason).

Download Our Five Steps to Home Ownership Form

Visit our calendar for the Housing Counseling Program Calendar of Events.
Piedmont Housing Alliance provides comprehensive homeownership counseling and peer group support for first time homebuyers. Through Homebuyers Club participation and/or individual homeownership counseling, you will learn how to manage your income, consolidate debts, save money toward your eventual down payment and closing costs, and apply for a mortgage. Homebuyers Club members are required to attend a monthly group meeting and will also receive one-on-one counseling as needed. In order to achieve your goal of homeownership, a certified housing counselor will assist you in completing the following Five Steps to Home Ownership. The program takes from 6 months to 3 years to complete.

FIVE STEPS TO HOMEOWNERSHIP:

Piedmont Housing Alliance provides comprehensive homeownership counseling and support for first time homebuyers. Through one-on-one homeownership counseling, you will learn how to manage your income, consolidate debts, save money toward your future down payment and closing costs, and apply for a mortgage. In order to achieve your goal of homeownership, a certified housing counselor will assist you in completing: “The Five Steps to Home Ownership.”

Step 1 – Intake
A) Initial Interview
B) Completion of Preliminary Intake and Spending Plan (if applicable)
C) Completion of Forms and Verification of Income
Gather Documentation:
• Copies of 3 years IRS tax returns and corresponding W-2s
• Copies of 30 days Pay stubs and/or proof of alternative income other than employment (if applicable)
• Copy of divorce decree (if applicable)
• Copy of bankruptcy documents (if applicable)
• Copy of rental verification (if applicable)
• Copy of alternative credit references (if applicable)
D) Credit Report Review

Step 2 – Action Planning
A) Development and Completion of Service Plan
• Begin saving money for down payment and paying off past due debts
• Follow up on any other concerns that are stated on Service Plan

Step 3 – Homeownership Counseling and Client Follow-up
A) Regular Homeownership Counseling and Follow-up on Service Plan/Referrals
B) Post Counseling Introduction and schedule and register for Post Counseling class

Step 4 – Continued Homeownership Counseling and Qualification
A) Attend a VHDA Homeownership Education Class for certificate
B) Gather Updated Documentation
• Copies of current 30 days of pay stubs
• Copies of 3 months current bank statements
• Review Credit Report progress
• Review completion of Service Plan

Step 5 – Mortgage Process, House Hunting, and Post-purchase Counseling
A) Education About the Mortgage and Closing Processes
B) Default/Delinquent/Foreclosure
C) Education About Home Maintenance tips and Managing of Spending Plan
D) Refer to Lender for Pre-qualification
E) Begin Looking at Homes

The Piedmont Housing Alliance agrees to provide these services without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, elderliness, familial status, or handicap.


PHA is a HUD and Freddie Mac Certified Housing Counseling Agency and an Equal Opportunity Housing Opportunity Organization.