Buying in Carrboro can feel out of reach, and selling a restricted home can raise new questions. If you are considering a Community Home Trust option or preparing to list a CHT home, you deserve a clear, local guide. In this post, you will learn how CHT works, who qualifies, the steps to buy, the rules to sell, and what timelines and costs to expect. Let’s dive in.
Community Home Trust at a glance
Community Home Trust is a community land trust serving Chapel Hill and Carrboro. CHT keeps homes permanently affordable by retaining ownership of the land and giving buyers a 99-year ground lease for the homesite, with resale rules that preserve affordability for the next owner. You can review the organization’s mission and local role on the CHT About page and see how the ground lease and program rules work in the CHT FAQs.
CHT reports roughly 330 to 348 permanently affordable homes in its inventory based on 2024 to 2025 figures. The goal is simple but powerful: create a stable path to ownership that remains within reach for income-qualified buyers over time.
Why CHT matters in Carrboro
Carrboro partners with CHT to help deliver affordable homeownership through inclusionary housing policies and other tools. You can see how CHT fits into town priorities on the page for Carrboro’s affordable housing partners. This partnership is why you see CHT homes integrated into new neighborhoods and why resale inventory circulates to the next qualified buyer.
Buying a CHT home in Carrboro
Who qualifies
Most CHT homes are reserved for households at or below 80% of Area Median Income, with some unsubsidized units available up to 115% of AMI. The home must be your primary residence, and CHT follows HUD income rules when reviewing your application. CHT also applies an affordability test so your total housing costs do not exceed program thresholds. For current household income tables and details updated April 7, 2025, check the CHT Qualifications page.
Steps to purchase
- Self-screen using the Qualifications page and complete CHT’s initial Readiness Questionnaire.
- Attend a CHT orientation and enroll in the required 8-hour Certified Homebuyer Education.
- Get pre-qualified with a CHT-approved lender.
- Review available listings, submit an offer through CHT, then move through contract to closing.
CHT regularly shares schedules for homebuyer education sessions, and the FAQs outline the overall timeline from application to closing.
Costs and monthly fees
CHT sells below market using subsidy funds, and many buyers also receive down payment assistance in the form of deferred, no-interest loans. In addition to your mortgage, taxes, and insurance, expect a monthly ground lease fee and a Stewardship Fee that helps fund major capital replacements. CHT will only approve a purchase if your housing costs fit within the program’s affordability limits.
Lenders and representation
Because of the ground lease and resale rules, you must use a CHT-approved lender. CHT also has in-house, licensed brokers who market and coordinate sales, and they typically do not charge a commission for those services. You may bring your own buyer’s agent, but you would be responsible for any agent commission. See CHT’s page on approved lenders and in-house sales team for more.
Selling your CHT home
How resale works
CHT homeowners must sell back to Community Home Trust or to a CHT-approved, income-qualified buyer. You cannot list the home on the open market. The resale price is set by the ground lease formula to keep the home affordable for the next owner. CHT’s Selling Your CHT Home page explains every step.
Timeline and seller obligations
Most CHT resales take 4 to 6 months from start to finish. You begin by submitting a resale request and a refundable $400 fee. CHT schedules an inspection, issues a Repair Addendum for items you must complete, takes photos, and matches qualified buyers from its pool before coordinating showings, contract, and closing. You remain responsible for your mortgage, utilities, HOA dues, and stewardship fees until closing, so plan your move and finances with that timeline in mind.
Pricing and appreciation
Appreciation in CHT homes is intentionally limited. Depending on the ground lease, owners typically earn between 0% and 1% per year, and the formula is tied to HUD’s median family income updates. CHT indicates that owners will not lose money on the home, with the purchase price serving as the floor at resale. Review the applicable resale formula in your ground lease and the program details in the CHT FAQs.
Practical tips for Carrboro buyers and sellers
For buyers
- Confirm your AMI eligibility on the Qualifications page before you apply.
- Complete the 8-hour homebuyer education early so you are ready when a listing fits.
- Get pre-qualified with an approved lender to strengthen your position.
- Budget for monthly ground lease and stewardship fees in addition to mortgage, taxes, and insurance.
For sellers
- Contact CHT early to start the resale process and understand your timeline.
- Review your ground lease so you know the exact resale formula for your home.
- Set aside funds and time for required repairs after CHT’s inspection.
- Keep paying all housing expenses until the CHT closing to protect your credit and avoid penalties.
Next steps
If you are exploring CHT as a path to buying in Carrboro, start by confirming eligibility and registering for orientation. If you are preparing to sell a CHT home, build your plan around the 4 to 6 month resale timeline and required repairs. When you want local guidance to compare options, align your timing, and navigate next steps with confidence, reach out to Rhonda Szostak for a thoughtful conversation.
FAQs
What is Community Home Trust in Carrboro?
- Community Home Trust is a local community land trust that keeps homes permanently affordable using a 99-year ground lease and resale rules.
Who qualifies to buy a CHT home in Carrboro?
- Most buyers must be at or below 80% of AMI, with some exceptions up to 115% AMI for unsubsidized units, meet occupancy rules, and pass affordability checks.
Do buyers need a special lender or education for CHT?
- Yes, you must use an approved lender and complete an 8-hour homebuyer education course before purchase certification.
How long does it take to sell a CHT home in Carrboro?
- CHT reports most resales take about 4 to 6 months, with sellers responsible for housing costs until closing.
Can I sell my CHT home on the open market?
- No, you must sell back to CHT or to a CHT-approved, income-qualified buyer at a price determined by the program’s resale formula.
Do I own the land under a CHT home?
- No, you own the home and hold a 99-year ground lease for the land, which includes the program’s resale and occupancy rules.
