How long does it take to become a Habitat homeowner?  It depends on how fast Habitat can find sponsors to provide volunteers and financial support.  Usually, the application process takes about four months, preparing for the build takes about five to nine months, and construction takes about four months.  Sometimes, each step takes more time.

 What does a Habitat home look like?  It is a simple, decent, wood-frame house with vinyl siding, a covered porch, insulated aluminum windows, a storage shed, and concrete driveway.  Habitat uses all new, good quality construction materials.  The construction work is done by licensed subcontractors, many volunteers, and you -- all working together in partnership. 

How much does the average family have to pay for a Habitat home?  It depends on the cost of the land, building materials, sub-contractors, permits, etc.  Habitat does not make a profit on the sale and does not charge interest, but every Habitat home-owner must make monthly mortgage payments for about 20 years.  The monthly payment (including escrow for taxes and homeowners insurance)  for Habitat houses to be built in 2009 will probably be between $400 and $600, but it could be higher.

What are the initial requirements for 2009?  You must be old enough to sign mortgage documents, you must have lived or worked in Lake or Sumter County for at least the last six months, you must be a U.S. citizen or have permanent residency status, and you must meet our income guidelines.  No one in your household can be listed on a sexual offenders’ registry or have a conviction within the last two years, or pending criminal charges, for a drug-related felony.  If you are married, your spouse must also apply. 

What are the income guidelines for 2009? The guidelines for the minimum and maximum gross yearly household income depends upon household size and the county of residency.

What other factors will the Family Selection Committee consider?   

Need:  Your present home must be substandard, unsafe, unhealthy, or over-crowded.  Also, you must be unable to obtain a mortgage from a bank or other lending institution. 

Ability to pay the mortgage:  You must have sufficient income to make monthly house payments and maintain a house, and you must have the ability to make monthly payments on time.  Before ground-breaking, Habitat will re-evaluate your ability to pay the mortgage.

Willingness to partner:  You must be honest in all of your dealings with Habitat, and you must be willing to work with our employees and volunteers to do all that is necessary to become a successful homeowner.  Here are some of the things you must do:

1.  Perform 220 hours (plus 110 hours for each additional home-buyer) of sweat equity.  This includes working without pay on other Habitat homes, and later on your own home.  Some sweat equity can be done at our thrift stores located in Clermont, Eustis, Wildwood, and Leesburg.  Special arrangements will be made for disabled home-buyers.

2.  Attend various classes on home maintenance, home repair, budgeting, and other topics useful for successful home ownership.  In addition, you must attend special events, such as the blitz and dedication for your house.

3.  Pay $50 per month into Habitat’s escrow account toward the amount due at closing for insurance and closing costs. 

4.  Help Habitat with its efforts to recruit and thank volunteers.  This includes working side by side with volunteers from all races, religions, and walks of life.

5.   Help Habitat with its fundraising activities. This includes going to public meetings and allowing Habitat to send information about your family to the news media.

6.  Help Habitat apply for a SHIP loan from the State of Florida to reduce the amount of your mortgage.

7.  Sign a Release and Waiver releasing Habitat from all liability for injuries you or your children may sustain while doing sweat equity.

8.  Keep in frequent contact with Habitat through a volunteer assigned to be your family partner, and notify us within one week of changes in address or phone number.

9.  Be patient and flexible, as most Habitat homes are not finished until 9 to 13 months after the applicant is accepted.  Sometimes, this process takes longer.

10.  After closing, pay the house payment every month, make any needed repairs, perform regular home maintenance, and be a good neighbor.

If you have any questions, please contact  Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter at 483-0434 ext 15 or at 710 S. Bay Street, PO Box 186 Eustis, FL  32727 

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN PARTNERING WITH HABITAT!