Getting Started

Take Root Milwaukee recommends that everyone start on the path to homeownership by working with a HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agency. Individuals that complete 8-hours of homebuyer education will learn money management techniques, review their credit, learn about financing options, and discover how to work with a Realtor and choose a home. Housing counseling agencies will also determine if you qualify for special homeownership grant programs like down payment assistance, tax credits or other programs. 

HOUSING COUNSELING AGENCY MEMBERS

ACTS Housing
ACTS supports families who are attempting to purchase a home with cash or a loan. They provide one-on-one, HUD-approved home buyer counseling for individuals interested in purchasing a home for owner-occupancy. As a real estate brokerage, ACTS represents families in the purchase of homes for owner occupancy, primarily in central city neighborhoods. ACTS then helps families plan and execute home rehabilitation, with a focus on reclaiming vandalized foreclosures. Their affiliated non-profit partner, ACTS Lending, Inc., provides mortgage loans for rehabilitation projects. Interested individuals are encouraged to participate in an orientation session to learn about their model.
Learn more about ACTS Housing >>

GreenPath Financial Wellness
GreenPath is proud to be one of the largest and most respected credit counseling agencies in the nation. A GreenPath housing expert can help you understand the home buying process and prepare you for the requirements of home ownership. GreenPath is an excellent resource if you are aware of financial issues that should be worked on prior to beginning the homebuying process. Appointments can be scheduled to meet with an agent over the phone or online by calling 877.290.6974.
Learn more about GreenPath Financial Wellness >>

Housing Resources, Inc.
HRI is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals and families purchase their own homes. They have a track record of providing quality home counseling services to prospective low and moderate-income individuals, and have become a trusted leader in assisting hundreds of buyers in purchasing homes each year. HRI hosts homebuyer education classes throughout the month. Take a look at their website and events calendar to see which course fits your schedule and to register.
Learn more about Housing Resources Inc. >>

Social Development Commission (SDC)
Since 1963, the Social Development Commission (SDC) has served as a planner, coordinator, and provider of human service programs for low-income individuals and families in Milwaukee County.  The Social Development Commission (SDC) Pathways to Homeownership program cuts obstacles and creates real opportunities for building wealth through homeownership.  SDC will help you prepare to purchase a home and walk you through the process from beginning to end.  SDC’s Financial and Housing Specialists provide financial counseling and education classes free of charge. Eligible participants may receive down payment and closing costs help, homebuyer education, and certifications to make buying a home a reality.  You must attend a workshop to qualify for down payment grants and other assistance.
Learn more about SDC >>

United Community Center
UCC hosts monthly free Homebuyer Seminars that educate on the process of buying a home. These sessions are great place to start if you are buying your first home. UCC’s two-part education series is offered in English and Spanish and provides you with opportunity to learn the overall process of buying a home, get pre-qualified for a mortgage loan, educates you on available grants and earns you a Homebuyer certificate. Visit their website for a class schedule and call to register.
Learn more about United Community Center >>

ONLINE EDUCATION FROM FREDDIE MAC

Freddie Mac CreditSmart
Online training course that can help you achieve your financial and homeownership goals. Access CreditSmart in English or Español.

My Home
One-stop resource for those who want to learn more about how to apply for a loan, understand the closing process, sell a home, and succeed as a long-term homeowner.

ADDITIONAL MEMBER RESOURCES

City of Milwaukee: Milwaukee Home Down Payment Assistance
The City of Milwaukee wants to help you realize your dream of homeownership! The Milwaukee Home Down Payment Assistance Program offers forgivable grants of up to $7,000 to help you purchase your City of Milwaukee home. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for a home purchase in the City of Milwaukee and up to $7,000 are available if purchasing a home with the City’s Community Development Block Grant Area boundary (to check if your property is in the boundary, go to My Milwaukee Home, type in address and click “submit address” and click on “special interest” link.) Additional details and eligibility requirements can be found by clicking here.

City of Milwaukee: Homebuyer Assistance Program
The Homebuyer Assistance Program provides funding to help prospective homeowners rehabilitate foreclosed homes they will occupy as their primary residence. Both financial and technical assistance are provided as part of the program. The program is being administered by the City’s Neighborhood Improvement Development Corporation (NIDC). Fully forgivable Homebuyer Assistance second mortgage loans of up to $20,000 are available to assist eligible homebuyers with the rehabilitation of City-owned foreclosed homes.  Click here for more information on this program.

City of Milwaukee: OWNS Program
The OWNS program (Owns, Wealth, Neighborhood Stabilization) is an initiative meant to boost local ownership of rental properties and to build generational wealth in Milwaukee communities. It looks to encourage existing homeowners to buy City of Milwaukee owned properties, for rental purposes, in their neighborhood with the belief that local owner investors will be more accountable and attentive to an investment property near their owner-occupied residence. Additional details and program requirements can be found by clicking here.

Community Insurance Information Center
CIIC helps consumers with auto, renters and home insurance questions and problems. They provide free information, referrals and complaint resolution services. Learn more about CIIC >>

Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity
Habitat does not give away houses. They sell them for no profit to hard-working families that need a “hand up” and not a “hand out.” Qualified families must show that they have a need for housing, are willing to partner with Habitat for Humanity and are able to pay for a Habitat mortgage.
Learn more about Milwaukee Habitat >>

Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council
Predatory lending is a lending practice in which a lender gets much more out of the loan than the borrower does. Mortgage loans are considered to be predatory when the terms and conditions of the loan are unsuitable for the borrower’s circumstances. MMFHC helps protect borrowers against predatory home loans and can help you if you find yourself tied to one. Learn more >>

Wisconsin Partnership for Housing Development
The Partnership purchases foreclosed or vacant homes and completes comprehensive rehabilitation, including replacement of mechanicals, improved insulation for energy efficiency, generally new kitchens and baths, along with flooring replacement. We work to make the homes affordable for first time home buyers and provide down payment assistance to ensure affordable monthly housing costs. Our homes are available only to those making less than 80 percent of the county median income. Learn more >>


Watch our Home Buying: Process & Resources workshop to hear from a certified Housing Counselor, a Mortgage Lender, a Licensed Realtor, and the City of Milwaukee.