Solita'S House Inc

Free-Help · FL

Rating: 4.1/5

Solita'S House Inc logo

Non-profit financial education and counseling organization providing HUD-approved homebuyer education, foreclosure intervention, and affordable consumer lending to low-to-moderate income families.

Official Website

https://www.solitashouse.org/

Solita'S House Inc Review

Solita's House, Inc. was founded in 2006 with a mission to ensure all people interested in homeownership receive essential education, counseling, and knowledge to secure and maintain their homes. The organization has evolved into a comprehensive financial literacy provider dedicated to helping families understand and grow their net worth through economically focused programs. As a U.S. Department of Treasury certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), Solita's House operates with both non-profit counseling services and affordable lending products.

The organization offers a range of services including first-time homebuyer education workshops (in-person and online), one-on-one pre-purchase counseling with approved counselors, foreclosure intervention and default counseling, small dollar loans, down payment assistance loans, matched savings programs, and financial stability education. They also administer the City of Tampa DARE program, which provides mortgage assistance dollars to eligible borrowers. All services are designed to serve low and moderate-income individuals and families in the Tampa Bay area.

Solita's House distinguishes itself through its CDFI certification and deep community integration. The CEO, Aidza Antonio Thomas, has been recognized with the Florida Housing Coalition's Housing Innovators Award and has joined The African American Alliance of CDFI CEOs. The organization is featured in local media for its advocacy on affordable housing and collaborates with city leadership including Mayor Jane Castor. Their approach combines financial counseling with access to affordable capital, addressing both education and practical lending barriers.

The organization appears well-established and credible, with clear non-profit status and government certification. However, services appear geographically limited to the Tampa Bay area, and the website does not provide extensive detail on loan terms, interest rates, or specific eligibility requirements. Those seeking comprehensive national coverage or detailed product specifications would need to contact them directly.

Pros & Cons

Reader-focused summary of the strongest reasons to consider Solita'S House Inc and the factors most worth weighing before contracting. Individual outcomes depend on your credit situation and goals.

Pros

  • U.S. Department of Treasury certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) providing both counseling and affordable lending
  • Offers integrated services combining financial education with access to affordable capital (small dollar loans, down payment assistance, matched savings)
  • First-time homebuyer education available in both in-person and online formats with flexible scheduling
  • HUD-approved housing counselors providing one-on-one pre-purchase and foreclosure intervention counseling
  • Direct access to City of Tampa DARE mortgage assistance program through organization partnership
  • Leadership recognition including Florida Housing Coalition Housing Innovators Award for CEO
  • Multiple office hours including virtual availability Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:30pm for accessibility

Areas to Consider

  • !Services appear geographically limited to Tampa Bay area; no indication of national coverage or virtual-only access for out-of-area clients
  • !Website lacks specific details on loan terms, APR rates, loan amounts, repayment periods, and eligibility criteria
  • !Limited information on matched savings program specifics, including match percentages and contribution requirements
  • !No clear timeline or wait period information for counseling services or loan application processing
  • !Website does not display accreditation details, certifications, or outcomes data that would help consumers assess effectiveness

Verdict Summary

Solita'S House Inc works best for consumers who value u.s. department of treasury certified community development financial institutio and can accept the tradeoff of services appear geographically limited to tampa bay area; no indication of natio. Compare against similar providers below before signing any contract.

Services & Features

Services offered

Feature Checklist

Credit Monitoring
All Three Bureaus
Goodwill Letters
Cease Desist Letters
Debt Validation
Credit Education
Identity Theft Protection
Score Tracking
Mobile App
Online Portal
Personal Advisor
Ai Powered

Best For

Before You Contact Solita'S House Inc

Before signing up with any Free Help provider, review these safeguards:

Compare Your Needs With Solita'S House Inc

Match these decision factors against Solita'S House Inc's profile before committing. This rubric mirrors what independent consumer-finance research typically checks for Free Help providers.

Category

Free Help

Service scope

12 services listed

Geographic coverage

1 states

Match to your priorities

  • Budget priority: Pricing published above — factor in setup, monthly, and cancellation fees over the full expected service window.
  • Complexity priority: Consider Solita'S House Inc's stated strengths (U.S. Department of Treasury certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) providin...) against your specific credit situation.
  • Timeline priority: Free Help typically takes 3-6 months for meaningful outcomes. Providers guaranteeing overnight results are red flags under federal consumer protection law.
  • Recourse priority: Confirm state licensing via your state regulator and check the CFPB complaint database before contracting.
  • Alternatives: Compare against all Free Help providers, DIY options via non-profit counseling agencies, and free CFPB resources.

Pricing

  • Monthly Price: 0
  • Setup Fee: 0
  • Money Back Guarantee: False
  • Guarantee Details:
  • Free Consultation: True
  • Tiers: []
  • Currency: USD

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does Solita'S House Inc offer?

Solita'S House Inc offers 12 services including First-time homebuyer education workshops (in-person and online), One-on-one pre-purchase counseling with approved counselors, Foreclosure intervention counseling, Default counseling and mortgage delinquency support, Small dollar consumer loans, and 7 more. Confirm current service list directly with the provider before contracting.

Who is Solita'S House Inc best suited for?

Solita'S House Inc's profile signals suggest it may fit: First-time homebuyers in Tampa Bay seeking pre-purchase education and counseling from HUD-approved counselors; Homeowners facing foreclosure or mortgage default looking for intervention counseling and stability guidance; Low-to-moderate income individuals and families seeking affordable small dollar loans and matched savings programs; Tampa residents eligible for City of Tampa DARE mortgage assistance seeking guidance on down payment and closing cost help. Individual outcomes vary based on your specific situation.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Solita'S House Inc?

Key strengths: U.S. Department of Treasury certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) providing both counseling and affordable lending; Offers integrated services combining financial education with access to affordable capital (small dollar loans, down payment assistance, matched savings); First-time homebuyer education available in both in-person and online formats with flexible scheduling. Areas to consider: Services appear geographically limited to Tampa Bay area; no indication of national coverage or virtual-only access for out-of-area clients; Website lacks specific details on loan terms, APR rates, loan amounts, repayment periods, and eligibility criteria.

How does Solita'S House Inc compare to similar companies?

In the Free Help category, comparable providers include Cambridge Credit Counseling Corp., Navicore Solutions, Take Charge America. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.

Where does Solita'S House Inc operate?

Solita'S House Inc serves customers in 1 states including FL. Confirm current service availability in your state directly with the provider.

How much does Solita'S House Inc cost?

Listed pricing for Solita'S House Inc: monthly price: 0; setup fee: 0; money back guarantee: False. Pricing may change — verify current fees directly with the provider before signing any contract.

Visit Solita'S House Inc

State Consumer Finance Context

This is state-level context for Free Help consumers in Florida. It does not confirm that Solita'S House Inc or this specific location is licensed.

State regulator: Florida Office of Financial Regulation
Consumer protection: Florida Attorney General Consumer Protection Division

Credit and debt help rules in Florida

Key state rules to check

Payday lending in Florida: Legal (max $500)

Usury cap: 18% for loans under $500,000; 25% criminal usury threshold; payday loans regulated separately

Complaint resources

State references

Florida allows payday lending with notable consumer protections including a statewide database preventing multiple simultaneous loans, a $500 cap, and a 24-hour cooling-off period. The Office of Financial Regulation oversees all consumer lenders. Consumers can file complaints online through the OFR or the Attorney General.

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Related Questions

Quick Summary

Solita'S House Inc — Free Help in FL.

Overall rating: 4.1/5

Non-profit financial education and counseling organization providing HUD-approved homebuyer education, foreclosure intervention, and affordable consumer lending to low-to-moderate income families.

Next Steps

  1. Compare Solita'S House Inc against similar options above.
  2. Run our borrowing power quiz to see how Solita'S House Inc matches your situation.
  3. Check state regulator listings for Solita'S House Inc's licensing before committing.
  4. Visit Solita'S House Inc once you're ready.

Glossary of Terms

Common terms that come up when comparing Free Help providers. Full glossary at creditdoc.co/glossary/.

Amortization — Loan Amortization
The process of paying off a loan through regular payments that cover both principal and interest. Early payments are mostly interest; later payments are mostly principal.
Why it matters: Understanding amortization explains why paying extra early in a loan saves the most money — you're reducing the principal that interest is calculated on.
Example: Month 1 of a $200,000 mortgage at 6%: your $1,199 payment splits as $1,000 interest + $199 principal. By month 300: only $47 goes to interest and $1,152 goes to principal.
Balloon Payment
A large lump-sum payment due at the end of a loan, after a period of smaller monthly payments. The loan isn't fully paid off by the regular payments — the balloon settles it.
Why it matters: Balloon payments make monthly payments look affordable but create a financial cliff. If you can't pay or refinance at the end, you could lose your home or asset.
Example: A 5-year balloon mortgage on $200,000: you pay $1,054/month (as if it were a 30-year loan), but after 5 years you owe a balloon of $186,108 all at once.
Collateral — Loan Collateral
An asset you pledge to the lender as security for a loan. If you stop paying, the lender can seize and sell that asset to recover their money.
Why it matters: Secured loans (with collateral) have lower interest rates because the lender has less risk. But you could lose your home, car, or savings if you default.
Example: A mortgage uses your house as collateral. A car loan uses your vehicle. A title loan uses your car title. If you miss payments, the lender can foreclose or repossess.
Cosigner — Loan Cosigner
A person who agrees to repay your loan if you can't. They're equally responsible for the debt, and their credit is affected by your payment behavior.
Why it matters: Cosigning helps people with thin credit get approved or get better rates. But it's a huge risk for the cosigner — they're on the hook for the full amount if you default.
Example: A parent cosigns their child's $30,000 student loan. The child stops paying after 6 months. The parent is now legally required to make the payments or face collections, lawsuits, and credit damage.
Credit Bureau — Credit Reporting Agency (Bureau)
A company that collects and sells information about your credit history. The three major bureaus are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Why it matters: Not all lenders report to all three bureaus, so your reports may differ. You should check all three reports because an error on one could be costing you money.
Example: Your car loan only reports to Equifax and TransUnion. Your Experian report doesn't show that good payment history, so your Experian score is 15 points lower.
Credit Freeze — Security Freeze / Credit Freeze
A free tool that locks your credit report so no one (including you) can open new accounts until you lift it. It's the strongest protection against identity theft.
Why it matters: A credit freeze prevents criminals from opening loans in your name, even if they have your Social Security number. It's free by law and doesn't affect your credit score.
Example: Your data was in a breach. You freeze your credit at all 3 bureaus (takes 10 minutes online). A thief tries to open a credit card in your name — denied because the lender can't pull your frozen report.
Credit Mix — Credit Mix (Types of Credit)
The variety of credit accounts you have — credit cards (revolving), auto loans (installment), mortgage, student loans, etc. Having multiple types shows you can manage different kinds of debt.
Why it matters: Credit mix accounts for about 10% of your FICO score. Having only credit cards isn't as strong as having a card, an installment loan, and a mortgage.
Example: Borrower A has 3 credit cards. Borrower B has 2 credit cards, a car loan, and a student loan. Even with the same payment history and utilization, Borrower B's score is typically higher.
Credit Report — Consumer Credit Report
A detailed record of your borrowing history maintained by credit bureaus. It lists every loan, credit card, payment history, collection, and public record tied to your name.
Why it matters: Errors on credit reports are common — 1 in 5 consumers has at least one mistake. Checking your report regularly is the first step to fixing errors that are costing you money.
Example: You pull your free report from AnnualCreditReport.com and find a $2,400 medical collection you already paid. You dispute it, the bureau verifies it's resolved, and your score goes up 40 points.
Credit Score
A 3-digit number (300-850) that summarizes how reliably you've handled borrowed money. Higher scores mean lower risk to lenders and better loan terms for you.
Why it matters: Your credit score determines whether you get approved and at what rate. A 100-point difference can mean thousands of dollars more or less in interest over a loan's life.
Example: On a $250,000 30-year mortgage: a 760 score gets you 6.2% ($1,536/month). A 660 score gets 7.4% ($1,729/month). Over 30 years, the lower score costs you $69,480 more.
Credit Utilization — Credit Utilization Ratio
The percentage of your available credit that you're currently using. If you have $10,000 in credit limits and owe $3,000, your utilization is 30%.
Why it matters: Utilization is the second-biggest factor in your credit score (after payment history). Keeping it below 30% helps your score; below 10% is ideal.
Example: You have 3 cards with a $15,000 total limit. You're carrying $4,500 in balances (30% utilization). Paying down to $1,500 (10% utilization) could boost your score by 20-50 points.
Default — Loan Default
When you fail to repay a loan according to the agreed terms — usually after 90-180 days of missed payments. It's the point where the lender gives up on collecting normally.
Why it matters: Default triggers severe consequences: credit score drops 100+ points, the debt may be sent to collections, you could be sued, and your wages or assets could be seized.
Example: You miss 4 consecutive car payments. The lender declares your loan in default, repossesses your car, sells it at auction for $8,000, and you still owe the remaining $5,000 (called a deficiency balance).
FICO Score — Fair Isaac Corporation Score
The most widely used credit scoring model, created by Fair Isaac Corporation. 90% of top lenders use FICO scores for lending decisions.
Why it matters: FICO has many versions (FICO 8, 9, 10). Mortgage lenders still use older versions (FICO 2, 4, 5), so your mortgage score may differ from what free apps show you.
Example: Your FICO 8 score (used for credit cards) is 740. Your FICO 5 score (used for mortgages) is 725 because it weighs collections differently. Same credit history, different scores.
Hard Inquiry — Hard Credit Inquiry (Hard Pull)
When a lender checks your credit report because you've applied for credit. Each hard inquiry can lower your score by 5-10 points and stays on your report for 2 years.
Why it matters: Multiple hard inquiries in a short period suggest you're desperately seeking credit, which is a red flag. Exception: mortgage and auto loan shopping within 14-45 days counts as one inquiry.
Example: You apply for 5 credit cards in one month. Each application triggers a hard inquiry. Your score drops 25-50 points from the inquiries alone, making each subsequent application harder.
Loan Term (Tenor) — Loan Term / Tenor
How long you have to repay the loan, measured in months or years. A shorter term means higher monthly payments but less total interest paid.
Why it matters: Longer terms feel more affordable monthly but cost much more overall. A 30-year mortgage costs almost double in interest compared to a 15-year mortgage on the same amount.
Example: Borrowing $200,000 at 6.5%: A 15-year term costs $1,742/month ($113,561 total interest). A 30-year term costs $1,264/month ($255,088 total interest). You save $141,527 with the shorter term.
Origination Fee — Loan Origination Fee
A one-time fee the lender charges to process and set up your loan. It covers their costs for underwriting, verifying your information, and preparing paperwork.
Why it matters: Origination fees are usually 1-8% of the loan amount and are often deducted from your loan proceeds — so you receive less than you borrowed.
Example: You're approved for a $10,000 personal loan with a 5% origination fee. The lender deducts $500 upfront, so you receive $9,500 in your bank account but owe $10,000 plus interest.