January 21, 2025
Current Habitat for Humanity homeowners, those who have applied to Houston Habitat, and those who are interested in becoming a homeowner are a diverse community. Families, veterans, seniors and refugees who all come from different backgrounds and experiences yet are alike in their passion for homeownership. After working closely with Houston Habitat for Humanity staff and putting in their sweat equity, owning a home becomes a reality. And each homeowner’s relationship with Habitat extends past home purchase. Houston Habitat for Humanity stays connected to homeowners with follow-up engagement, commonly known as Post Purchase Support.
Maintaining a home requires responsibility, knowledge, and resources. Houston Habitat understands the challenges of being a homeowner, so we work to help before, during, and after the purchase process. Post-Purchase Support begins when someone officially becomes a homeowner and is focused on financial education, homeowner resources, and community support. Use of post purchase resources makes for successful long-term homeownership and is a key part of the Habitat homebuyer process.
Once qualifying, applying, building, and house closing is complete, a colorful ribbon is cut and a homeowner is officially made! After this point, all Habitat homeowners must pay their mortgage and bills each month. This is also the time when post-purchase support begins. Houston Habitat staff provide homeowner assistance with understanding property taxes and how to purchase homeowners insurance, as well as ongoing mortgage questions, access to resources for financial services, repair, and community education.
Everyone needs help understanding the best ways to utilize their money. With this in mind, Houston Habitat for Humanity integrated financial education and referral resources into its post-purchase support. Houston Habitat offers information about ways to prevent mortgage default, such as foreclosure prevention and avoiding predatory lending, identity theft and credit card fraud. Assistance with refinancing, delinquency, and crisis situations is also offered.
A home of your own is a wonderful thing and keeping it as new as when it was built takes effort. Houston Habitat for Humanity provides checklists plus guidance on maintenance and basic repairs, as well as information about energy conservation, regional landscaping and seasonal upkeep. Home warranty coverage is very accessible and comes in increments of 1 year, 5 years, and 10 years. A listing of recommended contractors is also offered to homeowners as well as personal assistance with homeowner associations (HOAs). Some Habitat homeowners even qualify for minor repair programs funded by grants.
For the DIYers, Houston has two ReStore locations with cost-effective materials and supplies for maintaining a home. These home improvement stores sell new and like-new furniture, lighting, glass, paint, plumbing, roofing, tools, doors, fans, windows and more at lower-than-average retail prices. We post regular promotional codes for extra savings – follow us on Instagram!
The third tier of post purchase support is the connection between community engagement and homeowners. Houston Habitat for Humanity aids with clean-up days and revitalization projects, such as neighborhood fencing and building neighborhood gardens like the Settegast Community Garden.
Habitat events are popular too: for example, year-round home dedication ceremonies and autumn Truck or Treat gatherings are open to all to attend! What’s more, many homeowners choose to volunteer with Habitat on future builds, while continuing to spread the word to others about Habitat services. Some seasoned homeowners have even offered to assist new families with the process!
Houston Habitat for Humanity truly backs homeowners, beginning from the very first inquiry. Ready to start? Take the eligibility quiz. Have a Habitat home and need financial education, homeowner resources, or community support? Reach out to us directly to request support or plan to attend a Post Purchase Workshop. Your homeownership success is our priority!
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