Homeownership FAQs

Start by watching the Informational Video on our website and then complete and turn in the Customer Intake Form .

 Yes. Bend Habitat serves a broader income range than people might realize. For example, a household size of three can earn between $2,750 and $5,000 per month and potentially qualify for our program. Check our current program brochure to review income qualifying guidelines.

Once a person/family is selected into the Habitat Partnership Program, it typically takes 12-15 months to complete the program requirements. Once program requirements are complete, you will apply for a home loan through a qualified Oregon Bond Program lender. This process can take approximately 8 weeks. In total, once in the program, the entire process can take about 18 months or so.

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, watch the informational video, and submit a Customer Intake Form.

The definition of “bad credit” is different for everyone. Our loan program requires a credit score of 620 (FICO) or above, however we also look at your credit history as a whole. If you have a large number of unpaid collection accounts (over $500 or more) it is best to talk to a free credit counselor, such as those at NeighborImpact in the Home Source Department, 541-318-7506 ext. 306. Once you become our mortgage counseling client we will run a softpull report and start to work with you towards improving your credit score.

While Bend-Redmond Habitat does not hold the mortgage loans in-house, we do work with outside lenders and have very similar guidelines. In addition, we have our own policies and program requirements. For more on our Mortgage Readiness categories, click here.

Our policy is that the main income earner must be the applicant to the program. Applicants must have permanent residency or be a U.S. citizens to qualify for a home loan through our current lending program.

Possibly. We do not discriminate against people based on household make up. We encourage you to apply. Start by watching the informational video and submitting a Customer Intake Form. Both applicant and co-applicant must meet the basic Need, Ability to Pay and Willingness to partner guidelines.

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. Please refer to Fannie Mae guidelines for more information

Yes, as long as you meet the guidelines (household size of 3). We will look at the income of all the adults in the household.

The Habitat Partnership Program towards Homeownership can take from 12-24 months from the time of selection into the program until home purchase. 

Yes, but there are resale restrictions. Habitat has the right of first offer and there is a shared appreciation model.