Home Ownership
Buying a home can be a worthy – but sometimes confusing and overwhelming – goal to achieve. LCW’s Homeownership Center supports members of the community in becoming knowledgeable and stable long-term homeowners by emphasizing financial literacy, mortgage readiness, anti-predatory lending education, down payment assistance, fair housing and consumer protection. Upon completion of the class you will have the opportunity to meet with one of our HUD certified homebuyer counselors to review your personal circumstances in a private one on one meeting free of charge.
First-Time Homebuyer Education Workshops
LCW’s Homebuyer seminars cover every step of the pre-purchase process with a complete curriculum that includes house-hunting, working with realtors, inspections, budgeting for sustainability, and choosing appropriate financing. Workshops are offered each month, alternating in English and Spanish, through both in-classroom and virtual formats.
To sign up for an upcoming FTHB workshop, visit our Courses page to register.
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING COMPLETELY IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING TAKING A FRAMEWORK COURSE
Before signing up for Framework or LCW-moderated Zoom workshops be aware Framework is an alternative and, not a substitute. As per CHAPA guidelines the Framework class is for folks who can’t find a first time homebuyer course through MyMassHome counseling. Due to time constraints and workload we require that closings be at least 2 weeks away. Lawrence CommunityWorks reserves the right to ask someone who is registered through our portal to have their Framework information moved to another Housing Counseling Agency to complete their advising session if it doesn’t meet our time frame.
Please contact Cenzina Tralci at 978-722-2627 email ctralci@lawrencecommunityworks.org before signing up on our portal for Framework to see if we can meet your deadline.
Our pre-purchase workshops and counselors are certified by NeighborWorks America, UnidosUS, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Citizens Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA), Massachusetts Housing Partnership(MHP) and MassHousing. Online formats are available via a self-paced Framework HBE Online option in Spanish and English or LCW-moderated Zoom workshops.
**Framework charges $75.00 and non-profits charge a $25.00 advising fee. This fee is payable to Lawrence CommunityWorks in advance as well as registration forms that must be completed. No advising scheduling will take place until these steps are completed. We also require a Purchase and Sales agreement, Loan estimate, two paystubs and budget for all Framework advising sessions in advance of the appointment Please check with your lender on specific deadlines with Framework in order to meet your closing deadline.
Pre-purchase Counseling
There is no charge to meet with our HUD certified counselors to determine your next steps. The session is about 2 hours and will cover any questions you may have about the homebuying process and any topics we covered during the course.
We will review your budget, savings, credit, debts, income, savings and mortgage affordability. You will receive a free tri-merged credit report ($38.00 value) at no cost to you as part of your assessment. (Your credit score is not impacted by our inquiry and does not show up anywhere.) If we feel you are ready to purchase we can advise you on next steps, determine special loan options you may qualify for as a * first time homebuyer with down payment assistance, additional down payment resources and make referrals to our network of professionals who are dedicated to working with first time buyers.
You will leave your meeting with a custom-tailored action plan to help you get to the next level and a clear understanding of what you need to do, what loan programs you should consider and sources of funds you may qualify for so there is no guess work.
We have a solid team of counselors who are dedicated to supporting you and your family throughout the home purchase process!!
*A first time homebuyer is defined as someone who has not owned a home in the last 3 years-there are some exceptions to the 3 year rule.
To set up your home readiness assessment contact Cenzina Tralci ctralci@lawrencecommunityworks.org
This workshop is designed for homebuyers or small existing landlords interested in purchasing a multi-family home. Our Landlord Training workshop helps owners learn tips on how to be a fair and just landlord, sound business practices in managing their property and tenants, handling of security deposits, tenant screening and selection, tenancy and fair housing laws, understanding the Section 8 Housing program, lead abatement and resources, MassSave energy programs, rehabilitation programs, the legal eviction process and much more! Our instructor has over three decades of experience in teaching this course with real hands on experience.
To sign up for an upcoming Landlord Training, visit our Events page to register.
HomeSafe (Post-Purchase) Counseling & Education
Recent homebuyers or existing non-delinquent homeowners can deepen their knowledge in order to maintain success as a homeowner. The workshop covers a variety of homeownership topics, services and financial products targeted to homeowners such as financial planning, wealth building and equity preservation, refinancing, Home Equity Loans and Home Equity Lines of Credit, property insurance, taxes and tax abatements, building community and maintaining safety, energy efficiency and others.
Counseling services are also offered for homeowners seeking to resolve
a specific homeownership situation such as maintenance projects
and repairs, filing a tax abatement, refinancing or applying for other financial products.
To set up an initial counseling intake appointment, please contact Arleen Zorrilla azorrilla@lawrencecommunityworks.org.
Counseling services for homeowners at risk of or in mortgage default. Counselors will work closely with you to determine your options and provide information on the foreclosure process. They can assess financial hardships, conduct financial and credit assessments, review loan terms and mortgage documents, and help develop a crisis spending plan to stabilize your situation in the short-term. Counselors will also provide support with applying for and negotiating loss mitigation options with lenders or help develop exit transition strategies that avoid a foreclosure.
To set up an initial intake appointment, contact Ashley Tejeda atejeda@lawrencecommunityworks.org.