Shop for Your OPAL House

Once you have submitted your application, have met with OPAL staff, and are working on the other steps to buy an OPAL house, your name will be added to our email list. You will then receive notices of OPAL houses that are for sale.

If you see something you are interested in, and the timing is right to move forward with a home purchase, you should…

1. Check it out. If a house seems like one you might be interested in, call the owner and arrange a time to see the house.
2. Be sure this is the house for you. Buying a house is a big decision and a big commitment; be sure you are happy with your choice.
3. Do the math. Can you afford it? When you went through the steps to apply for a house, OPAL staff met with you to discuss what you could afford to buy, given your income at that time. Now that you have a specific house in mind, it is a good idea to check back with OPAL staff to review the numbers again. At this meeting you will update your income, learn what loan options are currently available, find out if you really can qualify for a loan to buy this particular house, and get an estimated monthly payment.
4. Read the neighborhood CCRs. Once you have identified a house you want to buy, be sure to reread the CCRs of that particular neighborhood so you are aware of any limitations that might make you rethink your desire to live there.
5. Decide if you want to buy it! If you like the house, if you can afford it, and if you qualify as a buyer, then let OPAL know. OPAL staff will draft a purchase and sale agreement for you and the seller to execute. Once you have done this and paid the $500 earnest money deposit, you are officially under contract to buy the house!