What are the benefits of Habitat homeownership?
Affordability
During the loan underwriting stage, Habitat will re-verify your financial information to determine your maximum affordable loan. It is Habitat policy that the your starting house payment, including property taxes and homeowner’s insurance, cannot exceed 30% of your gross monthly income.
Coaching
You receive one-on-one financial coaching to help you budget for your future home and to prepare you financially for homeownership. Other group classes will help you learn various aspects of home maintenance and preparation for homeownership. We want you to be a successful homeowner!
Training
Throughout your partnership, you will work closely with our staff, as well as community volunteers. You will receive invaluable experience as you work the sweat equity hours on the construction sites. Your participation in the construction or rehabilitation of Habitat homes will equip you with skills that will help you maintain and repair your home in the future.
Post-Purchase Support
Habitat staff remains available to provide you with resources and assistance after you purchase your home. We are your lender, and we remain your primary contact for any questions or concerns related to your home loans.
A Trusted Partner
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls has been building or rehabilitating homes in our service area for more than 30 years. Since 1991, we have dedicated over 180 homes, positively impacting the lives of hundreds of adults and children in our community. Habitat homes meet ENERGY STAR ratings, meaning that they are energy-efficient as well as affordable.
Questions & Answers
How Are Habitat Homes Made Affordable?
Habitat is the builder, the seller, and the lender for the real estate transaction. The homes are built or rehabilitated with a combination of skilled labor and volunteer labor, under the supervision of Habitat staff. All homes are sold for current appraised value. Habitat cannot reduce the sales price, but loan types and/or loan terms can be adjusted to achieve affordability for the buyer(s).
What Are the Construction Locations, Choices and Options?
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sioux Falls serves Minnehaha, Lincoln and Turner counties. Each construction season is unique, as we can only build where we own land. Lot assignments are made solely by Habitat, based the available inventory and secured funding. Homes are designed to meet the construction standards set by Habitat International and local building codes. In order to keep homes affordable to build and to purchase, construction options are limited. There is no guarantee of a particular home location, style, or size. Habitat purchases all the building materials, and no upgrades are allowed. Reasonable modifications or accommodations for special circumstances are handled on a case-by-case basis. Habitat is not a custom builder, which means we do not design homes based on the preferences or budget of the homebuyer partner. Habitat matches you to a home that meets your current needs.