Sweat Equity
Habitat is not a give-away program. Homeowners, as partner families, put hundreds of hours of their own labor, known as sweat-equity, into building ore rehabilitating the homes they will purchase.
Part of a partnership with Habitat includes fulfillment of sweat-equity requirements and payment of closing costs, which generally are between $1,200 and $1,600. Each Habitat for Humanity partner family is required to complete 400 hours (250 for a single-adult household) of sweat-equity working on their home, the office, Neighborhood Revitalization and possibly those of other partner families.
Habitat Homes Are Financed Through Saginaw-Shiawassee Habitat for Humanity, the United States Department of Agriculture, a Bank or Credit Union
Habitat homes can be purchased through a variety of mortgages. The family is offered a mortgage depending on the home being purchased. Generally homes built or rehabilitated by Habitat in the City of Saginaw are sold with a Habitat mortgage with very low and affordable interest. Homes in rural locations in either Saginaw or Shiawassee counties are sold to families with a USDA mortgage. In some cases, families may be purchasing a Habitat home from a bank or credit union.
Homebuyers work with a Housing Counselor to purchase a home.
At Saginaw-Shiawassee Habitat for Humanity, building relationships and communities is as important as building homes. One key reason Habitat has been so successful is the nurturing that is provided to partner families, even after construction is complete. Each partner family works with a guide throughout the construction and homeownership processes. This gives new homeowners someone to call when they have questions.