Current CommonWealth

Builder Owners

CHAPA is the sole monitoring agent for MassHousing’s CommonWealth Builder program (outside of the City of Boston). As the monitoring agent, we help homeowners comply with all program requirements.

Wondering if you’re a CWB homeowner? Please see the list below for the developments we monitor or review the deed to your home to find your monitoring agent.

If you are a homeowner in a CommonWealth Builder development with questions, please check the policies and FAQs on this page first. If you still have questions, contact information for the most relevant team member is included within each policy.

CommonWealth Builder Homeowner Policies

Principal Residence

  • You must occupy the home as your primary residence for as long as you own it.
  • Renting out your home is generally not permitted.

Transfer

  • If you are considering adding or removing a household member  to the deed, or ownership is affected by the death of an owner, a new deed must be prepared for CHAPA’s review prior to recording.
  • You may sell or transfer the home to an immediate family member under certain circumstances with approval from CHAPA.
  • Please see the Estate Planning & Transfer policy for details.

Resale During First 15 Years of Ownership

  • If you plan to sell your home, you must notify CHAPA.
  • Your home will be sold at a price that is affordable to a new income-eligible buyer. This price will be calculated by CHAPA.
  • CHAPA will help coordinate the advertising and eligible-buyer selection.
  • You pay a small fee of 2.5% of the Maximum Resale Price to CHAPA at the time of sale.
  • You may request resale information particular to your home, including the price and process with this form here.
  • Please see our Resale policy for details.

Capital Improvements

  • You may make any desired improvements to your home. However, only certain extraordinary, non-routine Capital Improvements can be considered in the calculation of the Maximum Resale Price.
  • Homeowners must submit documentation and request approval for Capital Improvements credit.
  • Please see the Capital Improvement policy for details.

Refinancing

  • You may refinance or take out a second mortgage, including to access equity in your home.
  • CHAPA must review and approve any refinances or second mortgages.
  • Total mortgage balance cannot exceed 97% of your current Maximum Resale Price.
  • Please see our Refinance/Home Equity policy for details.

Property Tax & Condo Fee

  • CHAPA does not oversee your condominium or homeowners association, nor its budget or fees. Your municipality is responsible for property tax assessments.
  • Please see the Property Tax & Condo Fee policy for details.

Length of Affordability Restriction

  • Your CommonWealth Builder restrictions may end or change after 15 or 30 years.
  • After 15 years, some owners may sell their home at market rate, subject to a shared appreciation payment back to MassHousing.
  • After 30 years, all restrictions expire and the home is no longer restricted.
  • Please contact us for more information about your home’s particular restriction status and timeline. See our Shared Appreciation policy for more details.

Where We Monitor

CommonWealth Builder Homeowner FAQs

What counts as an improvement (vs. maintenance) that can be added to the resale price?
Only approved and qualified Capital Improvements can be added to the resale value. These are generally “extraordinary” improvements, not routine maintenance or repairs. The value is based on the cost and depreciation. See the “Capital Improvements Policy” for more information.
I need to make a repair or do regular maintenance to the home. Can I do this even though it does not qualify as a Capital Improvement and will not be factored into my resale price?
Yes, homeowners may complete any regular maintenance on their home without CHAPA’s approval. However, the cost of the repair or maintenance will be completely absorbed by you and will not be factored into the resale price.
Can I get a home improvement loan to cover the cost of major repairs?
It is possible to get a home improvement loan; it will depend on the amount of your unpaid principal balance and the terms of the home improvement loan you are seeking (i.e. interest rate, closing costs, term). You will need to work with you CHAPA to determine what is permitted. See the “Refinance Policy” for more information.
Can I pull equity out of my home to pay for my child’s education or consolidate debt?
Taking out equity on your home is a type of refinancing and any refinancing can only occur if the loan meets certain requirements and benefits to you are clear. That said, it is possible to pull out equity; it will depend on the amount of your unpaid principal balance and the terms of the loan you are seeking (i.e. interest rate, closing costs, term). You will need to work with your CHAPA to determine what is permitted. See the “Refinance Policy” for more information.
I got married after I bought the house. Can I add my spouse to the deed?
Yes. As long as the spouse lives in the home as their principal residence, they may be added to the deed. However, you must contact CHAPA to confirm the process and receive approval.
My spouse is moving out and we are separating. Can I take them off the deed?
Yes. They should be removed from the deed if the home is no longer their primary residence. However, the you must contact CHAPA to confirm the process and receive approval.
Can I start a home business from my home?
As long as you conform to your local zoning ordinance for home business, you are permitted to start a home business in your home.
Can I rent out a room in my home (roommate situation)?
Yes, a roommate situation is permitted as long as you meet sanitary code occupancy requirements and you continue to live in your unit as your primary residence.
Can I do a short-term rental of a room in my home if I am also living there full time?
Yes. The same rationale in the above response would apply. However, you would also need to confirm that short-term rentals, including services like Airbnb, would not violate your condo/HOA rules and regulations.
Can I add someone to the deed who doesn't live in the property.
No. Non-household members cannot be added to the deed and are also not permitted as cosigners of the mortgage.
Do I need a real estate agent to sell my home?
No. CHAPA is in charge of coordinating the sale process to another Eligible Buyer. However, you may decide to engage a third party real estate broker if you feel that it would help you meet your responsibilities as seller. Please see our Resale Policy for more information.
What happens when a homeowner dies?
You should contact an estate planning professional to ensure your wishes are planned out ahead of time. While there are some limits on who may assume ownership, the equity in the home is yours to distribute how you see fit. Please see “Estate Planning & Transfer Policy” for more information.