Homeownership Starts Long Before Closing Day

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most of us will ever make, which is why the preparation matters just as much as the purchase itself.

Delaware has one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country which means too many people are ending up in homes they thought they could afford, but later couldn’t manage financially. While YWCA Delaware provides free foreclosure prevention services (and we’re here for anyone who needs that support), one of our economic empowerment goals is to help Delawareans avoid that situation in the first place.

When clients enroll in our free homeownership education workshops, they are introduced to our HUD-certified housing counselors, who walk through the homebuying process and what true affordability really looks like. After the workshop, participants have the opportunity to schedule one-on-one counseling sessions where counselors go line by line through your budget to help you understand the full financial picture — not just whether you qualify for a mortgage, but what it feels like to live with that mortgage long-term.

We look at everyday life: vacations, kids’ sports, emergency repairs, groceries, car maintenance, and the unexpected — all of it. Participants also receive guidance on improving credit, setting realistic plans, understanding how lenders view their finances, and determining what housing affordability truly means for them. Being financially prepared is one of the most important ways to reduce future stress and prevent foreclosure.