Understanding the Affordable Home Buying Process

Homebuyer Roadmap Website Page Image-01.jpg

INITAL TASKS

  1. Watch the Introduction Videos on this page

  2. All applicants and co-applicants must individually take the quiz with a passing score

  3. Register and attend the mandatory Orientation - all applicants and co-applicants - (Events Tab)

  4. Carefully review the Application Guide and Program Restriction Documents (on this page)

  5. Contact a Loan Officer registered with Housekeys and obtain a pre-approval (List is on the Downloads Tab)

  6. Feeling lost? Attend an FAQ Session. To register click HERE

  7. Register your Household’s Profile at https://www.myhousekeys.com/

  8. At https://www.myhousekeys.com/ obtain an Application ID for the Program

  9. All applicants and co-applicants must individually attend an online HUD approved First Time Home Buyer Education Class and provide a certificate of completion

  10. Organize your application file at home and keep it updated (PDF forms below)

  11. Review the Opportunity Drawing Notice information and follow the instructions (Home Buyer Opportunity Tab)

  12. Use your Application ID to enter drawings at https://www.myhousekeys.com/

  13. If you are selected after a drawing, we will send you an email with instructions requesting your file. You will have three (3) business days to submit a complete application file.

Note: This is a quick list and partial instructions; other requirements and processes apply.


These 8 short videos will help you understand how affordable housing works, key terminology, and the affordable home buying process. We encourage you to “Take the Quiz” to confirm that you understand the concepts and the process. In addition to the videos please review the SoHay Orientation slides by clicking HERE (Coming soon) and the Initial Action Items Orientation Handout by clicking HERE. Please check the “Events” tab above to find the registration link for the next mandatory Ownership Orientation Webinar.

Disclaimer: HouseKeys Orientation ZOOM Webinars provide general information only and may be subject to change at any time without notice. HouseKeys Orientation ZOOM Webinars do not constitute financial advice. You should obtain independent advice before making any financial decisions. HouseKeys Inc. does not give any warranty or representation as to the accuracy, reliability or completeness of the information. To the extent permitted by law, HouseKeys Inc. and its employees, shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising in any way (including by way of negligence) from or in connection with any information provided or omitted or from any one acting or refraining to act in reliance on this information.


MyHouseKeys is our web-based software platform created to help you manage your program relationships, find housing opportunities, and navigate the application process. You start by registering your household profile.

profile Registration Process

When you click on the button to “Register Your Profile, you’ll begin with a quick sign up form that asks: Name, Number of Household Members, Total Household Income, and Zip Code. After you enter and confirm your email address, you will start a Registration Wizard that will have you complete a series of forms. You may want to set aside an hour to complete all of the online forms. These forms include:

  1. Admin Profile - this is the basic information and address for the primary applicant.

  2. Member Profiles - all other household members who will be occupying the housing unit

  3. Income Profile - you’ll identify the type of income that you earn, information about your employer, and your employment details

  4. Household Preference - this form details any special criteria that your household may meet that would allow you to receive preferential treatment among other applicants.

  5. Household Demographics - this is an optional form that allows us to track our Fair Housing statistics

At the end of the process, you’ll get to a page called the Household Overview. This page summarizes all of the information you entered and gives you a chance to review before finalizing.


Program Application & Checklist (Including the loan officer list)

Click the link below to access and download:


Application Exhibits

Application Exhibits are special documents that help provide further details about items that you provided while completing the Program Application and gathering items on the Application Checklist. Click on the links below to open the Exhibit documents.


program documents signed by buyers

Note: These documents will change and be updated from time to time.

Buyer's Occupancy and Resale Restriction Agreement

The City of Hayward has a resale restriction agreement that does not have an expiring term. This Agreement restricts the price at which a home can be resold and carries other restrictions, including refinancing and inheritance. Please make sure to review this document before applying for the program.

Excess Sales Proceeds Note and Deed of Trust

The difference between the fair market value of the home and the maximum restricted resale price is known as “Excess Sales Proceeds”. This amount of money belongs to the program and the City records a note and deed of trust in order to protect those proceeds. Click the links below to open the examples.

Excess Sales Proceeds Note

Deed of Trust

Inclusionary Housing Program Buyer’s Disclosure Statement


Program Guides

These program guides were created in the Fall of 2018 to provide Applicants and Participants with the rules and processes involved with the housing programs.

Mission Crossings - Application Guide 7.14.2022

Application Guide

As an applicant, you must complete the steps to create a household profile, obtain an Application I.D. and enter Drawings for the housing opportunity you want. Each housing opportunity is given an Opportunity ID. If you are chosen in the Drawing, then you will submit a full file to be processed and underwritten and the rules are outlined in this guide.

Participation Guide

Once you are a homeowner, you sign a Restriction Agreement that details what you are allowed to do with the home. While the Restriction Agreement on this site is the latest version, there may be different versions signed by homeowners in the past. The Participation Guide walks through some of the rules on refinancing, re-selling the home, and transfers for inheritance. Please keep in mind that your signed Restriction Agreement is the governing document that ultimately determines what you’re allowed to do.


 

Homebuyer Information Page for City of Hayward SoHay Affordable Housing Project