Frontier houses are designed to be competitive from a total cost perspective with mobile homes, which are low-income rural families' only other realistic option for home ownership. That's higher than the sticker price of many mobile homes, but it includes the cost of land, water and sewer service, and, of course, far more favorable financing than any commercial lenders can provide. Flexible mortgage terms keep payments under 30 percent of household income, and using heat pumps for heating and cooling in the snug, well-insulated homes helps keep occupancy costs down. Most importantly, Frontier houses will appreciate in value. Frontier's loan qualification procedures encourage sound, long-term values by emphasizing the responsibilities of home ownership as well as its privileges.
Applicants can choose between several basic floor plans, wall colors, and other features.
Most new owners meet this requirement by installing trim, painting, or undertaking other projects that make their new homes more attractive. For example, new home owner Georgia Parish is painting and making curtains, and next year plans to have a garden at her Frontier house. But she emphasizes that, money aside, the new home is a source of pride. I'm going to wallpaper when I can find what I want. I'm picky now that I own it.