Homebuyer
Qualifications
- You are a first-time home-buyer or have not owned a home within the past 3 years.
- All members of your household are U.S. citizens or legal residents of the United States.
- Your present housing situation causes you to be cost-burdened, is overcrowded, unsafe, in substandard condition or lacks operable plumbing and/or heating, or other similar circumstances.
- You are unable to secure adequate housing through the private market.
- Your residence is not accessible to all household members.
Note - Habitat-Roanoke can help create a debt-relief plan and offers money management classes.
- Your total household income falls between 30%-80% of HUD's defined Area Median Income (AMI) (we will help you calculate this statistic).
- You and/or your co-applicant have a stable combined income of at least $1400 monthly.
- You have paid your rent and utilities on-time for at least the past 12 months.
- You have not had a foreclosure or bankruptcy discharged in the past 2 years.
- You have the ability to, and agree to, clear any old debts which are $2,000 or less (judgments, liens and collections).
- The homebuyer family is agrees to maintain and/or grow a savings account in anticipation of financial emergencies. The family also agrees to maintain a low debt-to-income level during their tenure in Habitat's Homebuyer Program.
Ability to Pay
- You will live in Habitat-Roanoke’s target neighborhood.
- You understand that you may be offered a building lot OR a renovated house.
- You plan to stay in the house and become a part of the neighborhood.
- You understand that there are certain resale restrictions on your home.
- You will contribute “sweat equity hours” and attend all required financial and homebuyer classes.
Willingness to Partner
Ready to get started?
Applications for Habitat-Roanoke's Homebuyer Program are accepted twice a year, during our open applications period. All applications must be received on or before the closing date. Applications submitted outside of periods listed will not be accepted. The next application window opens May 1st, 2024 and closes June 12th, 2024. Applications will be available for download from our website during each open application period.
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Step 1
Learn About Us
Habitat-Roanoke is different from other housing programs. We partner with qualified families who join us in our goal of renewing neighborhoods as well as improving their own lives. Habitat-Roanoke builds and renovates houses and sells them at no profit, providing affordable mortgages over a 20-30 year term. House size is determined by family make-up, with no more than two persons sharing a room. Monthly payments, which include taxes and insurance, are based on the family’s income and the cost to build the house.
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Step 2
Who is Considered?
Habitat-Roanoke considers the need for housing, ability to make mortgage payments and willingness to partner with us when choosing applicants for the Homebuyer Program. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for homeownership without regard to age, color, religion, sex, familial make up, disability, national origin or any other protected status. Special accommodations are available upon request. Application information is kept confidential.
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Step 3
Start the Process
Application windows are open twice a year: In November/December and in May/June. The next homebuyer application period will be November 1st through December 11th, 2024. We are holding several Open House Events, please click the link to see the dates and locations.
Homebuyer Orientation Sessions
Download Application – PDF
Homebuyer Program Brochure
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Step 4
Next Steps
Once your application and required documentation has been received, Habitat-Roanoke will conduct a soft credit check and review your rental & utility payment history and other measurements of your readiness for home ownership. We will also schedule one or more home visits with you to establish your need for housing. This will complete your application.
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Step 5
Application Decision
The Habitat-Roanoke Board of Directors will approve or deny your application within 35 days of completion, based on the three criteria of need, ability to pay and willingness to partner with us in our established program.
Interested in signing up for our Homebuyer Program Mailing List?
Check out the Frequently Asked Questions section below. Then, fill out the form below and we will get in touch with you to follow-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically, the Homebuyer Program takes approximately 14-18 months to complete from the date of the application to the closing of the mortgage on the Habitat home you intend to purchase. However, many factors can alter this schedule. We will work with every homebuyer to set their expectations accordingly. In limited cases, the homebuyer process can take as long as two years to complete.
Roughly 5% of all applicants are selected to move forward in the Homebuyer Program. Applicants not selected into the program receive a letter explaining the reasons for the denial of the application. A list of HUD approved financial counselors and/or a referral to another qualified organization or services will also be provided.
There is no limit to how many times one may apply for a Habitat-Roanoke home. We encourage applicants who are not accepted to reapply! Remember, this program is highly competitive!
Absolutely. For questions or concerns regarding the application process, please call Joyce Williams at 540-344-0747.
Construction of a Habitat-Roanoke house typically takes 4-6 months, depending on the weather and the number of volunteers available to build. Regular work days are Tuesday through Saturday, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.. You, along with other future homebuyers, will be required to contribute at least 20 hours of sweat equity per month, for a minimum of 250 hours. Don’t worry if you have never worked on a construction site before, the Habitat staff and other experienced volunteers will teach you what you need to know!
Once construction is complete, you and Habitat-Roanoke will hold a dedication ceremony to celebrate your hard work and the contribution of sponsors, volunteers and other Habitat families who have worked with you to make your dream a reality. This will be a time of great celebration for you, the new homeowner family, and a source of encouragement for other families who are working and waiting to purchase their new home.
Current mortgage payments range from $500.00 - $750.00 monthly, depending on household income and the cost of construction. As each family’s income and household size will differ, so will the monthly payments, even for the same size house. Mortgage payments include an escrow for real estate taxes and hazard insurance. Your monthly mortgage payments help to fund new construction and home renovation for future families.