According to the latest data from RealtyTrac® US Foreclosure Market Report, Tennessee reported 44,153 foreclosure filings in 2008, a significant 70 percent increase from 2007. With foreclosures rising, Consumer Credit Counseling Service offers free foreclosure prevention and housing counseling to East Tennessee residents.
“Our goal is to encourage homeowners to take prompt action and to understand their options,” said Daru Burdge, CCCS president. “Foreclosure is not always imminent. Our counselors are trained to help people establish a budget and determine what options are available to them to avoid foreclosure. It is often our experience that lenders will work with homeowners.”
CCCS is certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as a comprehensive housing counseling agency. HUD-trained and certified housing counselors provide expertise to help consumers through a variety of issues and concerns—including pre-purchase, mortgage default, rent delinquency, post occupancy and declined loan application.  CCCS also provides a HUD-approved eight hour homeownership class each month.
“We would like to see more people take advantage of our free pre-purchase homeownership classes,” said Burdge. “Research has shown that people who attend classroom education are 26 percent less likely to be 90 days delinquent on their mortgage.”
Counselors are available 24 hours a day seven days a week for free counseling sessions by phone at 1-800-251-2227.  To learn more about the homeownership education classes call 865-329-8006.
Headquartered in Knoxville, CCCS also has offices in Blount County and Johnson City.

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