Resources for Region 4

Click below on the Step to Homeownership where you are right now and need information about.

Click here for a short description of the steps to Homeownership>

Local Homeownership Resources for:
Central Washington: Benton, Chelan, Douglas, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas, Okanogan, Yakima, and Walla Walla Counties

1. Education

Become Educated About the Home Buying Process

The Washington Homeownership Center strongly recommends that all potential homebuyers attend a First-Time Homebuyer Education Seminar, sponsored by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission. These seminars provide an overview of the home buying process, allowing you to be more educated as you begin on your path towards homeownership. Many of the down payment assistance programs require all homebuyers who are applying for a loan complete a First-Time Homebuyer Education Seminar.

Local Resources:

Washington State Housing Finance Commission (WSHFC) sponsors free 5-hour seminars that are taught by industry professionals (lenders, non-profits, real estate agents) in an unbiased, non-sales oriented format. These seminars give an excellent overview of the various steps involved in purchasing a home and help the participant become familiar with the industry’s jargon. A certificate is given upon completion of the class and is valid for 2 years. This certificate is required to qualify for several first-time homebuyer loan programs.   A current schedule of classes can be found by clicking here or visit www.wshfc.org

Blue Mountain Action Council
Blue Mountain is a non-profit organization that serves Walla Walla, Columbia, and Garfield counties. It offers first time home buyer classes, help with credit. For more information, call 509.529.4980

Community Action Council (CAC) of Benton and Franklin Counties
The CAC is a non-profit agency that offers various housing and other types of services for people in need. CAC provides free WSHFC sponsored First-Time Homebuyer Education classes to the public. These classes are a great source of education for those just starting on the path to homeownership. They are designed for those who need basic knowledge of the home buying process. For more information, call North Columbia CAC 888.765.9206 or Benton-Franklin CAC 509.545.4058.

Consumer Credit Counseling Services (CCCS) of (Tri-Cities, Yakima Valley, Central Washington, Wenatchee, and Walla Walla)
CCCS is a non-profit housing counseling agency that provides homebuyer education workshops, pre-purchase, default-delinquency, and reverse mortgage counseling. They are dedicated to helping individuals become self-sufficient in financial needs. For more information call for the Tri-cities 509.7371973, for Yakima Valley 509.248.5270, for Central Washington 800.273.6897, for Wenatchee 509.662.0936, for Walla Walla 509.525.2132

North Columbia Community Action Council (CAC)

The CAC is a non-profit agency that offers various housing and other types of services for people in need.  For more information call 509.725.0393

Okanogan County Community Action Council (CAC)
The Okanogan County CAC is a non-profit agency with trained housing specialists that can provide information on loans available, credit and debt counseling, and one-on one homebuyer counseling. They have their own Homebuyer workshops that cover the following topics: 1) Homeownership readiness; 2) credit and budgeting; 3) finding the right home; 4) home financing- loans; 5) home maintenance and repair; 6) insurance, taxes and hidden costs. For more information call 509.422.4041

Opportunities Industrialization Center of Washington First-Time Homebuyer Program
OIC is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and helping individuals and families find housing and achieve homeownership in all of Yakima County. They offer extensive counseling on all aspects of purchasing and maintaining a home, debt and default, foreclosure prevention, HomeChoice, and counseling on the type of loan that will best suit you on your path to homeownership. Services are offered in Spanish. For more information, call Carmen or Rhonda at 509.452.2786

Valley Residential Services (VRS)
VRS is a non-profit agency that provides residential support including WSHFC HomeChoice counseling, to persons with developmental disabilities or mental illness, who need housing and living support to live in their own homes. For additional information, call 509.522.0400

The Federal Fair Housing Act
Being educated on the Fair Housing Act will help to prevent discrimination in the home buying process.
Click here to learn more about who is protected under the Fair Housing Act and about statewide resources.

Predatory Lending
Predatory lending takes advantage of borrowers by charging higher fees and hidden costs. Every borrower is at risk, however the risk increase for people of color, the elderly and those with less than perfect credit.

Click to learn more and steps for avoiding predatory lending.

Local Resources:

Information, Referral and Education about Predatory Lending
•Washington Homeownership Center
206.587.5641
866-600-6466 (toll-free in Washington State)

To File a Complaint Against a Lending Institution
• Washington State Department of Financial Institutions
800.372.8303
www.dfi.wa.gov

Free Legal Advice
If you are low income and need legal advice contact:
• CLEAR:
888.201.1014
888.387.7111 (Age 60 or over)
www.nwjustice.org
• Columbia Legal Services
888.201.9735

2. Credit History

Learning About Credit

Credit is one of the most important components when applying for a mortgage. The more you understand your credit, the more likely you are to receive a mortgage that fits your situation.

Click here to understand the importance of credit in the home buying process and steps to improve your credit.

Local Non-profit agencies that can assist with credit counseling:

The following agency can help you with developing a budget, defining financial goals, tracking your expenses, and rebuilding your credit:

Consumer Counseling Service
Central Washington 800.273.6897
Tri-Cities 509.737.1973
Walla Walla 509.525.2132
Wenatchee 509.662.0936
Yakima Valley 509.248.5270
Okanogan County Community Action Council (CAC) 509.422.4041

Blue Mountain Action Council

Blue Mountain is a non-profit organization that serves Walla Walla, Columbia, and Garfield counties. They offer first time buyer classes, help with credit. For more information, call 509.529.4980


3. Budget - coming soon