Housing Counseling

Penquis Housing Counseling provides education and one-on-one support for people preparing to buy a home and for homeowners facing foreclosure. Services include Home Buyer Education, Pre-Purchase Counseling, and Foreclosure Prevention.

Home Buyer Education

Maine Homebuyer Classes help people prepare for buying a home through flexible education options, including instructor-led in-person classes, livestream online classes, and eHome self-paced education with a housing counselor consultation.

Class options

• In-person and livestream classes cost $45 per student and are offered on a variety of dates and times.
• eHome costs $100 per student and includes a phone consultation with a housing counselor before the certificate is issued.
• Certificates are valid for two years and may help homebuyers access special loan programs through MSHA, FHA, and VA.

Registration

• Register for an in-person or livestream class
• Register for eHome self-paced education
• For questions, call (207) 974-2403.

Pre-Purchase Counseling

Pre-Purchase Counseling offers free one-on-one counseling to help people prepare for buying a home. A certified housing counselor can help people navigate the homebuying process.

Counseling may help with

• Building and repairing credit.
• Completing a homebuyer education class.
• Preparing for the loan process.
• Finding resources and programs that may help with home buying.
• Understanding whether a Family Development Account may help with savings.

For more information or to ask a counselor to contact you, complete the housing counseling intake form or contact Heather Massow at (207) 974-2403.

Foreclosure Prevention

Foreclosure Prevention is a free service that helps homeowners who are behind on mortgage or real estate tax payments explore options when facing foreclosure.

How counseling may help

• A foreclosure counselor may work with the homeowner and mortgage provider or local town to explore available options.
• Penquis works with Hancock, Knox, and Penobscot County courts to support foreclosure diversion and mediation efforts.
• Penquis is certified by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development as a Certified Housing Counseling Agency.

For more information or to ask a counselor to contact you, complete the housing counseling intake form or contact Heather Massow at (207) 974-2403.