Attainable Housing Communities in Oregon
Owning a home isn’t just a dream—it’s achievable with Thistle & Nest. Our beautifully designed, energy-efficient homes in Bend, Madras, and Prineville use a community land trust model to build equity and find lasting stability. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer starting fresh or have owned a home and are looking for a more sustainable monthly payment, we’re here to help you turn the key to your future.
Beautifully Designed
Energy Smart
Quality Built
Homebuyer Support
Start Planning Your Path to Homeownership
Thistle & Nest is Central Oregon’s only attainable housing provider supporting both first-time and returning homebuyers. Our program offers more than a home—it’s a bridge between renting and conventional homeownership (where you own both the land and the home).
We’re here to help you build equity, stability, and a brighter future. Learn about the requirements and take your first step today!
What Are the Requirements?
AMI Lower Than 80%
Have a household income lower than 80% of the Area Median Income for the county. Occasionally, we have programs to support households making over 80% of the AMI. Reach out to ask if we have any availability at the moment.
Homebuyer Education
Complete the Homebuyer Education and Financial Fitness workshops. We partner with NeighborImpact, but courses through other HUD-certified instructors are also acceptable. You can move forward without the course, but you must complete it before closing on your home.
Closing Cost
Provide closing costs in the amount of $7,000 to $14,000. Assistance may be available, but a minimum of $1,200 is required.
Other Requirements
- requContribute some or all assets over $20,000 in value to the home purchase. Assets include savings, land, mobile homes, recreational vehicles, boats, etc. Assets do not include household possessions, non-luxury cars, tools, retirement funds, or pensions.
- Cannot own any other real estate. If other real estate is owned, it must be sold before a Thistle & Nest purchase.
- No bankruptcy in the past 4 years.
- No foreclosure in the past 5 years.
- Non-housing DTI (gross income) ratio is less than 5-10%.
- Show 1 year of consistent household income.
- Comply with Thistle & Nest’s Criminal Record Policy requirements.
Additional Recommendations
- Minimum credit score 680
- Show past 2-years of income
- Show 2-3 months of reserves at closing
- Maximum bad debt limit 5% (revolving credit, not including auto loans)
- Be a First-time homebuyer by HUD definition–has not owned a home in the past 3 years. Not being a First-Time homebuyer does not prevent you from applying.
Get Pre-Qualified
Visit a lender to get a loan pre-approval letter and join our waitlist by filling out the eligibility form for your county.
Thistle & Nest’s Land Trust Model
Thistle & Nest’s land trust model is designed to make homeownership attainable and sustainable for the local workforce. We retain ownership of the land beneath the home, selling the dwelling to you at an affordable price, with a modest monthly lease included in your affordability calculation. This model allows you to build equity while ensuring the home remains affordable for future buyers through a deed restriction on resale. By focusing on families earning less than 80% of the area’s median income (AMI), we help residents achieve long-term stability, financial growth, and sustainable homeownership in Oregon.
What We Do
Purchase opportunities
We acquire land, partner with local developers who are building affordable housing, and assist qualified households in purchasing these homes.
Pre-purchase support
We assist buyer-ready households in navigating the lending and purchase process.
Post-purchase stewardship
We are the landlord of the land that each home sits on, and we hold an interest in the community of homes in which the buyer lives. We are a resource after occupancy and will assist in the placement of a home for a new buyer at resale.
Community Land Trust Model
Watch this 6-minute explanation of how community land trusts work
A Long-Term Attainable Housing Solution for the Communities We Love and Thrive In!
At Thistle & Nest, we’re tackling Oregon’s affordable housing shortage by offering a path to homeownership that builds long-term stability and personal equity. We provide the services, support, and opportunities you need to make affordable, owner-occupied housing a reality. By empowering low- and moderate-income households, we’re not just creating homes—we’re strengthening communities for the future.
Ready to start your journey? Take the first step toward your dream of homeownership today!