Buy Back / Occupied
The Detroit Land Bank Authority provides a pathway to homeownership for people living in land bank-owned houses through the Occupied Properties programs. Hundreds of Detroiters have already become homeowners by completing the DLBA’s Buy Back program. Buy Back engages occupants directly, connecting them with financial and home improvement educational opportunities designed to support buyer success. Every occupant of a DLBA-owned property has the opportunity to apply for Buy Back before the property is moved to the Occupied Non-Profit or Occupied Sales Bundle pipelines.
Buy Back Roadmap
Contact Us
Call (313) 974-6869 to identify yourself as an occupant of a DLBA-owned property. The Buy Back team will follow-up with you to start the vetting process.
Eligibility
Attend Buy Back Office Hours to find out which eligibility documents you will need to submit. All documents must be hard copies. Buy Back Office Hours are Wednesdays from 9:30 am - 11:30 am and Fridays from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at 500 Griswold St, Suite 1200, Detroit, MI, 48226
Inspection
If you qualify, the DLBA will contact you to schedule a home inspection within one week of receiving your eligibility documents. The home inspection will determine if the house is structually sound and safe for occupancy. The property must pass inspection to move forward in the Buy Back program.
Counseling
You will attend a free Home Preservation course and take a financial assessment with a DLBA non-profit partner. The class will outline the basics of the Buy Back process, budgeting, creating a bank account, and more.
Pre-Closing
The purchase price is $1,000 for all Buy Back properties. The Buy Back team will reach out to you by mail or phone with an invitation to a pre-closing event. Be sure to respond to the invitation and bring: a valid state ID or driver's license and a cashier's check or money order for $1,000 made payable to the Detroit Land Bank Authority.
Workshops
You will attend four free workshops during the year-long compliance period. Topics include money management, home improvement, foreclosure prevention, debt reduction, and more.
Exit
Once you've met all the requirements, the DLBA will invite you to complete the program and attend an exit event. You'll use the year’s escrow savings to pay your first tax bill, and you'll leave the event a homeowner with the deed to your property. You must pay property taxes in full to receive the deed.
Follow-up
The DLBA will release its legal interest in the property and end monitoring. You may receive a follow-up phone call after the first winter tax season.
For more information about the Occupied Properties programs email buyback@detroitlandbank.org or call (313) 974-6869 to speak to a Client Services representative.