Applications Now Open for Oak Cottage Court Homes
A charming pocket neighborhood affordably priced for middle income individuals & families.
For many, rising costs have put the prospect of finding a home in Decatur increasingly out of reach.
That’s the inspiration behind the Oak Cottage Court project — a charming collection of versatile, green-built, single family cottages designed to serve the needs of those otherwise underserved by Decatur’s housing market.
Ranging from one to three bedrooms and $210,000 to $305,000, the cottages offer an attainable option for middle-income individuals and families. With a Walkscore of 86, including 10 minutes or less to Marta rail and ten different bus lines, you’ll find easy access to all the city has to offer, including shops and restaurants, K-12 schools, parks, and much more.
The project provides a living example for how strategic partnerships can help create below-market housing for middle income earners, with the Decatur Development Authority working in collaboration with non-profit developer Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership, general contractor Fortas Homes and, ultimately, the Decatur Land Trust, to deliver housing affordable in perpetuity.
Find Your New Home in Six Easy Steps
1. Ensure you’re at or below the maximum household income.
Home purchase is available to qualified buyers who do not currently own their own residence or rental property, and who earn a maximum of 100% Area Median Income as follows (see here for information on how to determine your household size):
2. Visit and tour available homes.
Interested buyers can tour available homes by appointment only. Appointments should be booked on MLS through ShowingTime. Buyers who are represented should have your agent contact listing agent Naruna Rangel, Keller Williams Metro Atlanta, at [email protected] with any questions.
If you do not have an agent, please contact Kaya Trail, Keller Williams Metro Atlanta, at [email protected] to set up a showing.
3. Fill out an application.
If you wish to make an offer on a property, fill out the online application with attached requested income information. If your meet the income requirements, you will be connected via email to the preferred lender for prequalification. Offers will NOT be accepted without prequalification from the preferred lender.
4. Attend an online home purchase information session.
Online home purchase information sessions are held at 12:00 noon on the second Wednesday of each month via Zoom. The sessions take approximately 45 minutes and provide future homebuyers with information about the community land trust model. If necessary, prospective buyers can also set up a one-on-one session upon application approval.
5. Make an Offer.
Once you’ve been approved by the DLT and gotten a preapproval letter from the lender, you may submit an offer to the listing agent at any time.
6. Multiple offers.
In the event of multiple qualified offers on any given home, a tiered approach will be applied with preference given in the following order:
- Current City of Decatur, City Schools of Decatur, and Decatur Housing Authority employees;
- Employees of a government agency or nonprofit who are working in an office in the City of Decatur;
- Employees of any business in the City of Decatur;
- Current renters in the City of Decatur;
- All others
Down Payment Assistance
Ability to cover the required down payment should never present an obstacle for potential buyers. Down payment assistance is available through a variety of sources, including: The Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership; Decide Dekalb; and the Decatur Land Trust.
Resale
In order to maintain affordability in perpetuity, financial appreciation realized by Land Trust homeowners over time is limited to 1.5% interest compounded annually for each year the property is occupied.
Accessibility
One of the six Oak Cottage Court homes (226 Commerce Drive) has been designed to efficiently accommodate a ramp retrofit for handicapped accessibility.
