PROGRAMS & SERVICES
Homeownership Promotion
Diverse quality housing should be available to everyone whether they are a renter or aspiring to become a homeowner. Wealth Watchers is committed to helping our neighbors successfully navigate the rental and homebuying process. Becoming a homeowner can be a daunting process, but it is not impossible. Click on a topic below to view the services and workshops we offer.
When you are planning to purchase a home, good money management is an important first step. Financial capability helps to put you on the path to a sustainable financial future.
We promote and support an approach that combines financial education (to share basic skills and knowledge), financial counseling (to resolve specific issues and challenges in the short term) and financial coaching (to encourage behavior change and achieve positive and sustainable long-term outcomes).
Pre-purchase Housing Counseling
Meet with a Counselor
Meet your home purchase team members. Discuss the homebuying process and mortgage qualifying as well as examine your credit. You will review down payment assistance programs and affordable mortgage products best suited to your family based on your family individual needs.
Why Credit Matters
Credit is one of those things that can define who you are. It’s important to know your credit score at all times.
- Allows you to purchase items that you want and need
- Teaches you about paying on time
- Informs you that you need to work on your credit
- Helps you acquire credit
To request an appointment:
click below and complete the Service Request form.
Homebuyer Education
Includes a combination of virtual classroom trainings and individual advisement that meet lender, builder, down payment assistance programs and homebuyer education requirements.
01
This program provides an introduction to the home buying process, home purchase team members, mortgage qualifying and the importance of credit. You can also learn about down payment assistance programs.
02
Financial Fitness
Create your specific homeownership plan. Review your credit and develop a spending plan to save money for your home purchase. If your credit history prevents you from qualifying for affordable mortgage products, this class will help you increase your credit score and reduce your debt.
03
Course fee – $50 plus handling fee
Are you ready to shop for a home? This workshop is held on Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Experienced, HUD-approved homeownership advisors as well as volunteer mortgage lenders, real estate agents and home inspectors teach the class. Fee includes course materials and refreshments.
Online Homebuyer Education Options
eHome America + Individual Advisement
Course fee – $99
eHome America is based on NeighborWorks America’s Realizing the American Dream curriculum and meets the national industry standards for homebuyer education. After you complete the online course, meet with our expert homeownership advisor to review your credit report, strengthen your score, understand different mortgage options and get answers to any questions you may have about the home purchase process. You will receive your certificate at the in-person appointment or via email.
Framework™ + Individual Advisement
Course fee – $75
Framework provides all the facts you need to navigate every step of the buying process. You can learn when, where and how you like. After you complete the course, combine online education with one in-person consultation with our expert homeownership advisor. Review your credit report to strengthen your score, understand different mortgage options and get answers to any questions you may have about the home purchase process.
Down Payment Program
There are county programs available to help potential homeowners secure their down payments.
Duval County
Wealth Watchers Inc. Community Builder
Borrower Income Limits:
Up to 120% AMI
Borrower Min. Contribution:
$0 – $1,250 (gift or other program)
Max Amount: $3,500
Term: 3 Years
Purchase Price Limit: None
Homebuyer Education: Required
Restrictions: Must be a Wealth Watchers Inc. approved lender
Clay County
Home Sweet Home
Max Amount: $7,500
Income Limit: $75,960
Term: 30 Years Deferred
Purchase Price Limit: $298,192
Affordable Income Subsidy Grant
$1,500 – Below $55,920
$2,500 – Below $34,950
Nassau County
Nassau County Housing Strategy -SHIP
Income Classification
VL – Max Amount: $45,000
L – Max Amount $33,750
M – Max Amount: $22,500
Purchase Price Limit: $215,000
Homebuyer Education: Required
St. Johns County
Own a Home Grant
3%, 4% and 5%
Borrower Income Limit: $104,850
Purchase Price Limit: $316,589
Own a Home Opportunity Average Amount: $7,500
Affordable Income Subsidy Grant
Homebuyer Education: Required
Community Builder Down Payment Program
See the approved lenders for the Wealth Watchers Community Builder Down Payment Program.
Housing Preservation
Wealth Watchers is a Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Certified Housing Counseling Agency serving Northeast Florida, as well as Southeast and Southwest Georgia. Its services include rental counseling, landlord and tenants’ rights workshop for renters and foreclosure prevention counseling for homeowners.
Wealth Watchers provides foreclosure prevention counseling for homeowners who are experiencing a financial hardship that makes it difficult to meet their mortgage payment obligation.
Our foreclosure-mitigation counselors help homeowners understand the available options to help them remain in their homes or when appropriate the liquidation options to gracefully exit and avoid foreclosure.
