Question 1

How can I buy a home?

Accepted Answer

We sell homes to buyers who meet our program’s qualifications and agree to contribute sweat equity hours building their home. Therefore, each applicant must agree to partner with us in the program, which includes providing all documentation needed as well as attending financial counseling and working 300 hours of sweat equity. Basic requirements to own a Habitat home are provided on our Homeowner Program page.

Question 2

What is the first step of buying a Habitat home?

Accepted Answer

If you are interested in the Habitat for Humanity Homebuyer Program and have reviewed the requirements to see if you qualify, the next step is to fill out the intake form on our website found here(insert hyperlink). Once your intake form has been submitted, our staff will review your intake and be in touch with you within 5 business days.

Question 3

How do you define Family? Do I have to have children to apply?

Accepted Answer

Habitat serves all types of households and families. A “family” can be singles, couples, partners, households with or without children, multi-generational families, etc. Familial status, age, race, color, religion, sex, handicap, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origins play no part in the selection process.

Question 4

What is Sweat Equity?

Accepted Answer

Sweat equity is the volunteer time participants invest in earning the opportunity to purchase their Habitat house with an affordable mortgage. Following approval by the selection committee, the applicant must complete 300 hours of sweat equity, the majority of which is completed on the construction site. Habitat makes accommodations for any applicant who cannot work on site due to physical limitations.

Question 5

Is there any kind of down payment?

Accepted Answer

We ask that families save a minimum of $1,000 - $5,000 to help with closing costs. You will work with your financial counselor to determine a savings plan and to see how much you can contribute towards closing costs.

Question 6

What kind of homes does Habitat build or remodel?

Accepted Answer

We build two- to four-bedroom, wood frame houses with approximately 900 to 1400 square feet. Remodeled house square footage and amenities vary. A stove, refrigerator, washer, dryer, and dishwasher are provided with all houses. Habitat builds and sells simple, decent houses.
*100 Homes: These homes are built to the standard set by the construction company that comply with city construction guidelines. These homes may vary based on size, location and city codes.

Question 7

Do applicants get to pick the location or design of the home?

Accepted Answer

Habitat does not build custom houses. The location of the house is dependent upon where Habitat is building or remodeling houses.
*100 Homes: There may be an opportunity to select which home or area the applicant would like to apply for, depending on where homes are being built and selected for. There is no opportunity to customize these homes during construction, however homeowners may make changes once they own the property, assuming they follow any and all required permitting as required by the City.

Question 8

Will credit and background checks be conducted?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Habitat checks the credit of applicants and does criminal background and national sex offender registry checks on all adult household members. A criminal history does not automatically disqualify an applicant; any issues that come up in a background check will be dealt with on an individual basis. A financial counselor will work with you on your credit score and budget to get you to the stage where you will be able to qualify for a mortgage.

Question 9

How are applicants chosen?

Accepted Answer

Applicants start by completing an intake form. Once you have submitted your intake form, you will be given instructions on how to register to attend financial counseling. You will begin working with a financial counselor, and when they determine that you are ready to qualify for a mortgage, they will refer you back to GJHFH. From here, we will schedule a home visit with two volunteers from our Homebuyer Selection Committee. They will then report on the home visit at our next Committee meeting and if we have a home available, we will consider your application as well as any other applications for the selection of that house. 
The selection process is very competitive, if you do not qualify the first time, don’t give up! If you do not qualify at any time during the application process, you will receive a letter in the mail explaining why.

Question 10

If approved, how long will it take before I purchase my Habitat Home?

Accepted Answer

Families are in the program until their house has been built or rehabbed. The construction process is complex with many variables depending on funding sources, the construction schedule and building requirements. This complexity makes it difficult to predict the length of time from pre-approval to purchasing a house. Because of this, the completion of the house will vary. However generally new construction will take longer than rehabs. We will be sure to communicate estimates of construction times as best we can throughout the processFamilies are in the program until their house has been built or rehabbed. The construction process is complex with many variables depending on funding sources, the construction schedule and building requirements. This complexity makes it difficult to predict the length of time from pre-approval to purchasing a house. Because of this, the completion of the house will vary. However generally new construction will take longer than rehabs. We will be sure to communicate estimates of construction times as best we can throughout the process..

Question 11

Will I be able to sell my house?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but there are resale restrictions on all of our properties. The type of resale restriction varies so it’s important that all Habitat homeowners contact our Executive Director at (517) 784-6620 if they want to sell their Habitat home.

Homebuyer FAQ