How Do You Buy a Deed-Restricted Home in Gunnison County?

Start with the Gunnison County Housing Authority (GCHA). You join its Housing Interest List, apply, and if you meet a home's restriction you receive a Certificate of Eligibility, which you need before you can buy. Deed-restricted homes can require things like primary residence, local employment and no short-term renting, and many cap the resale price, so read the restriction before you offer.

This post summarizes the Gunnison County Housing Authority's pages as I reviewed them on November 11, 2026. The Town of Crested Butte and the Town of Mt. Crested Butte run their own programs. This is general information, not legal advice.

What is a deed-restricted home?

Per GCHA, a deed restriction is a recorded document attached to a property. Common terms include:

• Primary residence: the owner must live in the home.
• Community employment: the owner must work locally.
• No short-term rentals.
• Maximum resale price: the price at resale is capped.

GCHA's own words are worth repeating: terms vary, so the fine print matters. Two deed-restricted homes on the same street can have very different rules.

What does the Housing Authority do?

GCHA provides information on programs, eligibility and next steps for buyers. It is careful to say it does not act as a lender or a real estate agent. It administers deed-restricted ownership programs, including guidance for buyers and sellers and compliance oversight.

How do I get started as a buyer?

Based on GCHA's ownership page:

1. Join the Housing Interest List. A form on the Housing Authority site lets you say whether you want to rent or buy and get updates when opportunities come up.
2. Watch the current listings. GCHA links to current deed-restricted listings on its site.
3. Request information or an application from GCHA for the home you are interested in.
4. Get a Certificate of Eligibility. If you meet the restriction's requirements, GCHA issues one. You need it before you purchase.
5. Line up financing with a lender who has worked with deed-restricted properties.

How are income limits set?

GCHA uses Area Median Income (AMI), published annually by HUD, to set income eligibility and affordable pricing. The Housing Authority's page links to 2026 AMI income and rent tables hosted by the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA). I did not reproduce the figures here because limits depend on household size and on the specific restriction, so check the current table and ask GCHA which AMI level applies to the home you want.

How does selling work?

If you already own a deed-restricted home, GCHA says you must notify it of your intent to sell before buyers can apply. GCHA may set a Maximum Sales Price, advise on marketing and post the listing, and the buyer needs a Certificate of Eligibility before closing. Plan for that extra step in your timeline.

Are there ongoing rules after I buy?

Yes. GCHA says owners may need to submit an annual affidavit of compliance, and it runs periodic checks. If a property is out of compliance, GCHA sends a notice with corrective steps, which it calls "cures." Read your restriction for what counts as compliance, such as how long you can be away or whether you can rent a room.

Can I use CHFA down payment assistance on a deed-restricted home?

Possibly. CHFA programs are tied to a CHFA first mortgage and its own rules, as I covered in my first-time buyer post. Whether a particular deed-restricted home works with a particular loan program is a lender question, so ask early.

What should I ask before I offer?

• Can I read the recorded restriction? Have an attorney review it.
• What is the maximum resale price and how is it calculated?
• What are the occupancy and employment rules? How are they verified each year?
• What are the HOA dues and what do they cover?
• Does my lender finance deed-restricted homes?
• How long does the Certificate of Eligibility take? Build it into your contract dates.

Is a deed-restricted home right for me?

For some local workers it is the most realistic path to owning in the valley. For others, the resale cap or occupancy rules are not a fit. Compare it with open-market homes in Gunnison, and think about how long you plan to stay. I am happy to talk through the trade-offs.

Who do I contact?

The Gunnison County Housing Authority lists its office at 307 N. Wisconsin St., Gunnison, CO 81230, phone (970) 641-7900, open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. General housing email: housing@gunnisoncounty.org. (The ownership page lists 200 E. Virginia as an address, so call to confirm where to go in person.)

What is the bottom line?

Buying a deed-restricted home in Gunnison County runs through the Housing Authority: get on the interest list, get your Certificate of Eligibility and read the restriction carefully. The rules are there to keep homes available to people who live and work here. A local agent can help you compare restricted and open-market options.

Frequently asked questions

Who manages deed-restricted homes in Gunnison County?

The Gunnison County Housing Authority, (970) 641-7900.

What is a Certificate of Eligibility?

A certificate from GCHA confirming you meet a home's restriction requirements. You need it before purchasing.

Can I rent out a deed-restricted home short-term?

Many restrictions prohibit short-term rentals. Check the specific restriction.

How are income limits set?

By Area Median Income (AMI), published annually by HUD. GCHA links to the current tables.

Connect with a great real estate agent in Gunnison, Kelsey Loftis with Crystal Peak Properties, Brokered by eXp Realty. Phone: (970) 784-6768 · Email: kelseyloftis@gmail.com · Website: crystalpeakproperties.com

Sources: Gunnison County Housing Authority main page and ownership page (gunnisoncounty.org), reviewed November 11, 2026. Not legal advice.