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Requirements

To buy a LIHTC home you need to meet two sets of standards: the program’s affordability guidelines and a lender’s mortgage requirements. Here’s what each means.

Who can buy

Current tenants

If you rent a home in one of our communities, you’re eligible, whether you moved in 15 years ago or last month.

Family members

A relative can buy your home, as long as they meet the affordability guidelines and can get a mortgage.

Other buyers

Someone not living in the home can also buy it if they meet the same affordability and mortgage standards.

Requirement 1

Affordability standards

Because these are LIHTC homes, buyers must meet income guidelines set by the housing finance agency in the home’s state, such as OHFA in Ohio or IHCDA in Indiana. Limits depend on your household size and your county’s area median income.

Household sizeMaximum income
1 person[$ limit]
2 people[$ limit]
3 people[$ limit]
4 people[$ limit]

Limits differ by state and county. [Add each community’s limits, or link to them from its listing.]

Requirement 2

Mortgage readiness

You’ll also need to qualify for a home loan. Lenders generally look for:

A credit score of 640 or higher, measured by the FICO score your lender uses.

At least two established lines of credit, such as secured credit cards.

Steady income that’s enough to cover the monthly mortgage.

Every household is different, and we’ll go through your situation with you in detail.

How to build your credit

Don’t qualify yet? That’s where we start.

We’ll do everything we can to help you qualify. Recent bankruptcies or a lot of negative credit can make it harder, but we’ll review your case together and give you an honest answer about whether we can get you mortgage ready.

And if you decide not to buy, your lease will be honored.