Habitat for Humanity Grand Traverse Region has affordable homeownership opportunities available in Leelanau County on Bugai Road. These new, well-built homes are just 3.5 miles from downtown Traverse City in Habitat's growing New Waves development. On Saturday, April 5, they will host an open house to tour these new homes.

Potential residents or others who are interested can tour one of these homes, visit the natural 10-acre site and learn more about Habitat homeownership at the open house. It will be held from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on April 5 at the New Waves development on S. Justice Way in Elmwood Township (Northwest corner of Bugai Road (616) at E. Traverse Highway/M-72.)

More information below direct from Habitat:

"These energy efficient homes have three bedrooms, 1½ baths and single car garages. The New Waves homes are built with innovative precast Superior Walls. Each exterior wall is made from a single ten-foot-tall panel. From the top plate to below the crushed stone footing, there are no seams or openings in the surface to be sealed. The Superior walls are filled with a fireproof foam which creates an insulation barrier with a higher R-value than insulated stud walls. The walls also create a much quieter interior with more complete isolation from exterior sounds. Unlike walls with vinyl siding, the Superior Walls have no exterior maintenance, and are a smooth, easy to coat surface for anyone wanting to change the exterior color of the home in the future.

Five of the 14 homes in the development are already completed with families enjoying the security of homeownership. Two additional homes are almost ready for occupancy this spring. We will break ground for the remaining seven homes this year. Of those seven, three will be ready before the end of 2025. We will complete the last four New Waves homes next year, some of them by spring 2026. Some of these new homes are already reserved for Habitat homeowners who are working on their sweat equity. But there are still homes available for occupancy in 2025.

Habitat Homeownership is not a hand out. The Habitat program is a hand-up to homeownership. Habitat partner families will buy these homes with affordable mortgages. While there are income, credit and other requirements, applicants need to have sufficient monthly income to qualify for a $200,000 mortgage with monthly home payments of no more than 30% of their income. For example, if all other criteria are met, a household of four people would need at least $58,000 in income to qualify for this homeownership opportunity. If qualified, most homeowners will have a total home payment that is significantly less than rent for a smaller two-bedroom apartment.

In addition to showing the New Waves homes, inside and out, Habitat home services manager Sallie Krepps will be on site to answer any questions about Habitat Homeownership, and help anyone interested in completing the simple step one application."