Homeownership FAQs
The answers to these questions do not represent your ability to qualify or not for the program. We encourage you to complete the Eligibility Questionnaire (link) and watch our housing informational video (link).
Click on the question to see the answer.
Questions? Maybe these Answers can help:
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.
housing Program brochure folleto del programa de viviendaThe 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.
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.
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 yearly 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.
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.
Our sales price is set based on a home appraisal (and/or the sales price limit for the Oregon Bond Program, whichever is lower). 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, but there are resale restrictions. Habitat has the right of first offer and there is a shared appreciation model.
If you have specific questions please contact the Homeowner Services Department:
541-385-5387 or email homeownership@brhabitat.org
DeeDee Johnson, ext. 103, djohnson@bendhabitat.org
Catalina Frank (Spanish-Speaking), ext. 104 cfrank@bendhabitat.org