Neighborhood Housing Services of Phoenix

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is Neighborhood Housing Services of Phoenix?
Neighborhood Housing Services of Phoenix (NHS Phoenix) is a 35-year-old Valley nonprofit agency dedicated to the revitalization of Phoenix neighborhoods by providing a full range of programs and services that encourage, create and support homeownership. We help hard-working families realize the dream of financially-stable homeownership.

What programs and services does NHS Phoenix offer?
NHS Phoenix focuses on creating new homeowners because the life of a community is enhanced by increased rates of homeownership. In both English and Spanish, NHS Phoenix offers:
- COUNSELING - confidential budget, credit, delinquency, foreclosure prevention, refinancing and anti-predatory lending assistance
- ORIENTATION - a free comprehensive overview of NHS Phoenix and the home buying process.
- HOMEBUYER EDUCATION - for 1st time homebuyers, discover whether homeownership is right for you. Learn what size mortgage you can afford, how to qualify for a loan, how to work with real estate agents, how to interpret closing documents and how to protect your equity.
- FINANCIAL FITNESS - everything you need to know, but weren't taught in school, about managing your personal finances-budgeting, the importance of establishing banking relationships, long-term savings strategies, and wealth building tools-to name a few. Financial Fitness classes are free and are held in the evenings over the course of three weeks.
- DOWN PAYMENT/CLOSING COST ASSISTANCE - loan and grant funds to assist qualified buyers.
- FLEXIBLE MORTGAGE PROGRAMS - through national and local partners, NHS Phoenix offers special 1st and 2nd mortgage programs and refinancing loans for qualified buyers based on income and property location.

Where do I start?
Pick up the phone and call us at 602.258.1659 reserve a seat in ORIENTATION. Afterwards, you will get a call from a counselor setting up an appointment.

What do I bring with me when I make an appointment with a counselor?
1. 1 month of current pay stubs;
2. 2 months of current bank statements
3. Current (within the last year) credit report with FICO scores. If you don't have a credit report, we can pull one for you (a charge of $12.75 for a single applicant or $25.50 for joint applicants).

What’s comes next?
After a counseling visit when your readiness to buy will be assessed, you may be advised to attend Financial Fitness Classes where they teach you everything you need to know, but weren’t taught in school, about managing your personal finances–budgeting, the importance of establishing banking relationships, long–term savings strategies, and wealth building tools–to name a few. These classes are strongly recommended and may be required, depending on individual circumstances.

Or, you’ll proceed to Homebuyer Education Class. Buying a home is a very complex process that involves many different people–the realtor, the mortgage company, the title company, the appraiser, the home inspector... It can be a frustrating and time consuming process for those who have done it before, but can be downright intimidating for those who are buying a home for the first time. This is a pre-requisite before buying and a requirement for many loan products.

This is probably the largest purchase that you will make in your lifetime and the terms of your mortgage loan will effect your financial situation for the next 30 years. Be a wise consumer. Learn all you can before you even start shopping for your dream home.

Local business professionals (bankers, realtors, loan officers, and credit professionals) teach our classes. All instructors have two national certifications and intensive training by both the NeighborWorks® Training Institute and the American Homeowner Education and Counseling Institute. Several are Spanish speaking.

The HomeBuyer Ed class is valued at $300. Your spouse or co-buyer are welcome, and encouraged, to attend with you at no additional cost. You are required to pay a $50 registration fee at enrollment. If the lender requires a certificate testifying to your attendance at Homebuyer Education, you will be charged the balance upon closing.

If I want to buy a house, do I qualify for your loan programs?
One of our Housing Counselors can answer that question for you, but we ask that you take the Homebuyer Education class first so you will understand the basics of how loans work.

What if my credit is not great?
The Housing Counselor will review your credit report with you and let you know what steps you need to take to clean up your credit rating. If you are willing to take the time to get that done, there is nothing to prevent you from buying a home in the future.

What if I need special accommodations?
To arrange a special accommodation, please notify our office in advance. Contact us at or 602.258.1659 | TDD 800.367.8939.

I’m not low-income. I don’t want to live in Central Phoenix. Can you still help?
Absolutely. Our services are open to everyone. Our knowledgeable staff provides personal, confidential counseling for anyone interested in buying a home, regardless of income or where they want to live.

Where do you have homes available?
New Homes for Sale

What if I still have questions?
We expect that you will still have questions. There is a lot to buying a home. Our Housing Counselors and Loan Processors are there for you throughout your home buying process.

Our staff is also available to answer your questions after you purchase your home. Although you may not think of yourself this way, we think of you as a "customer for life." Call us when you are thinking about home improvement loans or refinancing. If we don’t have a loan program that will work for you, we can tell you who does.

DON’T WAIT – CALL NHS PHOENIX TODAY AND GET STARTED ON BUILDING WEALTH!

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