Homeownership FAQs
Questions? Maybe these Answers can help:
Answer- First, attend an Information Session. We host these sessions monthly. Dates and times will be posted on this web site.
Then, fill in an intake form, submit it back with all supporting documents, and if necessary, attend a one-on-one counseling session. The Homeowner Services Department will review your finances and mortgage readiness. If you do not meet all of the program requirements we will work with you and provide other resources to help you meet your mortgage readiness goals.
Answer- Yes. Bend-Redmond Habitat serves a broader income range than people might realize. For example, a household size of three can earn between $2,500 and $4,592 per month and potentially qualify for our program. We encourage you to attend an information session and learn more.
It will usually take a family between 12 to 24 months to buy a house, after being accepted into the program. For a visual timeline please click on the following link: http://bendredmondhabitat.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Sample-home-timeline-graphic-for-web-2017-2.pdf
Answer- The income per month is unclear (we do not know how much disability income your partner receives and/or if it is permanent income or not) and we are not sure if you will be living together in the Habitat house. Refer to the income guidelines for a family of 4 or 5, and come to the next information session.
Answer-No, our policy is that the main income earner must have permanent residency or be a U.S. citizens to qualify.
Answer- Possibly. We are an equal housing lender and as long as all guidelines are met it is possible. We encourage you to apply.
Answer- Because your child’s disability income will be stable for three of more years we can include it in your income calculations, which we can then check against the current year income guidelines for your family size. However, we would also need to review your monthly debt to be sure you debt to income ratio also fits our guidelines.
Answer- We would need to see your income verification and any documentation you have on your IBR plan. Typically, if we do not have verification of the payment plan, we would look at school loans as a percentage of the total loans (usually about 1.5% of the total as an estimated monthly payment). Habitat does not disqualify applicants based on family size as we follow the Federal Fair Housing laws.
Answer- Yes, as long as you meet the guidelines. We will look at the income of all the adults in the household. Refer to the income-guidelines-2016
Answer- Our sales price is set based on a home appraisal. However, your mortgage will be set based on your affordability, typically no more than 33% of your gross income at the time of the home loan application.
The Habitat Partnership Program towards Homeownership can take from 12-24 months from the time of selection into the program until home purchase.
Yes, however since Habitat holds the right of first offer you would need to start with us to see if we will buy the home back. We also hold a shared appreciation agreement together, so you will want to review those terms again. See sample here: Sample Right of First Offer and Shared Appreciation