Buyer Information

Steps in the process


a. Find your annual gross household income in this table (Your income must be less than the value shown for your household size):

Table updated with current income levels effective 6/1/2024

(Households larger than 4, see this page. On the page, find Latah County. Read across on the "Low Income" line. 

b. Income floor

All buyers musst have an income greater than 50% AMI for a household of one, unless overridden by IHFA on projects using their funds.

c. Do you have some savings for down payment & closing costs?

d. Do you have assets to consider?

2. Find a lender 

You have a choice of lenders, below. MAHT gets funding from several sources, including a Federal program called HOME administered by Idaho Housing and Finance Association. In the event a home's construction funding is via HOME, the lender must work with Idaho Housing Finance Association (IHFA). See more on the Lender Information page.

If the project does not use HOME funds, your options for lenders is wider, but a lender must still be willing to work with a Communuty Land Trust sale.  Buyer, direct your lender to the Lender Information page.

3. Get on the Buyer List

Tami Quezada at Team Idaho maintains the Buyer List. This list is for any house that the Trust might have for sale, today or in the future. We go down the list, asking each person if they want (and qualify for) a particular house. You can stay on the list even if you pass up a house purchase. 

The Trust has new houses to sell on a regular basis. Its also possible that a current homeowner will want to sell and that also will be managed by the Buyer List.

To get to the top on the list, you need a "Pre-Qualifiation" letter from your lender. That letter also needs to state that the lender has reviewed  your income and you appear to qualify for your household size. Ask your lender to create this letter and provide it to Tami.

Tami Quezada
United Country Real Estate - TEAM IDAHO
tami@ucteamidaho.com
208/310-2172 (cell)

About the Program

Moscow Affordable Housing Trust uses a mix of funds to create affordable home ownership opportunities by rehabilitating houses or constructing new ones. Houses are sold using the Community Land Trust model. Learn more to understand how a CLT lowers the cost of your house by not selling the land.

Houses are sold via local real estate agents, please do not apply to the Moscow Affordable Housing Trust, contact Tami Quezada at Team Idaho Real Estate.  

Your next steps

Making an Offer to Purchase a MAHT Land Trust house

Prior to making an offer, agents are strongly encouraged to contact our agent, Tami Quezada at Team Idaho Real Estate, for guidance with additional required materials.

Homebuyer Education & Counseling Required

Before closing the sale, participants in this program are required to complete the Finally HOME! course and if HOME funds are involved, get 2 hours of 1-1 counseling from an approved financial counceler. IHFA in Lewiston will provide this service. 

You will receive a certificate of completion from the Finally HOME course. A copy must be provided to your lender. In addition to meeting the program requirement, the course may qualify you for discounts from your lender.

Resources

Try this interactive article from Washington Post

https://wapo.st/3UfeRZE

What can you afford? 

Try this Loan Calculator. Suggested guesses:
* Taxes: $100/mo
* Insurance $50/mo
* HOA $75/mo (land lease)
* PMI $0 (the beauty of land trust)

NOTE: The suggestions above are guesses for a land trust buyer. Visiting a mortgage lender can help you get a better picture of your true buying power.

Credit & Budgeting.

University of Idaho Extension offers several short-courses on establishing credit, paying down debt, building your credit score, and basic financial planning which could help a family be more ready to decide to purchase, see this page.

Buying Process. 

You can learn more about all aspects of buying a home through Idaho Housing Finance Association's class Finally Home!® Classes are offered in person and online.