Steps to Homeownership – Habitat for Humanity

Owning a home is a major commitment and an exciting opportunity!

Are you ready?

Follow these steps to open the door to affordable homeownership with Habitat for Humanity of Cape May County.

Step 1. Do you qualify? Cape May County Habitat builds houses along with families who demonstrate a need for housing, the ability to pay a mortgage and also a willingness to partner.

Step 2. Email us and request an application. Once you receive it, review the required documents.

Step 3. Evaluate your family’s financial preparedness for homeownership, including credit history, debt, and income. If you need help with this information, call us at 609-463-0244 x 77 and we will connect you with a Family Selection Team Member.

Step 4. Return the mortgage and Habitat application, completed in full, to the Habitat Cape May ReStore or mail it to us at the same address; 20 Court House South Dennis Road, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210. Be sure to keep a copy for yourself.

Step 5. If you do not meet minimum financial qualifications, we will refer you to a HUD Certified Housing Counselor who will give you guidance to create an action plan to help you prepare for homeownership.

Step 6. If you are invited to apply for homeownership, we will gather additional information and documentation needed and conduct a home visit.

Step 7. If your application for homeownership is approved and you are selected for a Habitat home, you will move forward in building and purchasing your new affordable home!

Step 8. If approved, you will begin your homebuyer education classes and 300 hours (minimum) of sweat equity. Sweat equity is an exciting learning experience in which you work to build your Habitat home or hours can be earned at our ReStore location.

Step 9. Construction on your home will begin according to a predetermined schedule. We will raise the walls on your house and you will complete your sweat equity!

Step 10. Habitat staff, volunteers, and donors who have been with you every step of the way gather with your family and friends to dedicate your new home!

Step 11. After you close on the house, you move in!

Partner families are expected to remain engaged with Cape May County Habitat’s mission by staying in good communication, making timely mortgage payments, and assuming an active role in their neighborhoods and participating as mentors to new families entering the process. The application process takes roughly 2-4 months and the sweat equity requirement typically takes 6-12 months. On average it takes about 12-18 months to complete the entire homeownership process, from the date of the application to the house closing. In some rare cases, a home may be completed already and the process might be quicker.