Home, Sweet Home

As I started to notice more and more people around me buying homes, I wondered how they were doing it. Some had family to help, but I didn’t. Nobody taught me about managing finances, or that I should build my credit score up. 

When people at my work started buying homes I thought, you work where I work — how did you do it? That’s when I heard about the first-time homebuyer’s seminar offered through UW Credit Union. I wasn’t too familiar with the down payment assistance program, but I was motivated to apply because my rent kept continuously going up, by an outrageous amount. 

I immediately connected with one of the Mortgage Loan Officers, who was patient with me and made me feel at ease. She gave me the courage to do this. 

The process felt like it happened so quickly. When I got the call on a Monday to say I was qualified, I was like “Oh my goodness, this is amazing!”

I love the peace in my new home. I’m a big plant person, and I have huge windows in my living room where all my little, tiny plants sit on the ledge with my bigger plants nearby, basking in the morning sun. 

I love my neighborhood, too. It’s where I lived before my sister got really ill with cancer and I moved into her home to be a caretaker to her and temporary guardian to her children, until she passed. Being back in the same neighborhood is a full circle and it just makes me so happy because this is where I always wanted to be. 

As a first-generation homeowner, I never knew the process of buying a home would be as simple as it was. You always hear how stressful it is to buy a house and move, but I didn't find it to be that way at all. 

Everything was so smooth, and I am so happy because my mortgage is way cheaper than what I was paying in rent for my apartment. Why didn't I do this before? I wish somebody could have talked to me and explained this was available because I would have done this a long time ago. 

I totally appreciate the down payment assistance program. Owning my own home is a dream I didn't think I could ever reach. I had no idea that my life could be much easier and that there's so many resources out there.

I’m telling as many people as I can. They shouldn't be intimidated or scared because UW Credit Union will walk you through from start to finish and answer all your questions. Anybody can do this.

I absolutely love everything about my new home. It's a good feeling when you can say you own something.

UW Credit Union supports programs like down payment assistance and first-time homebuyers seminars because we are built on a strong financial foundation and believe in investing in our communities.