How This Single Mother Became a Homeowner on a Teacher Salary - Part II of III
Didn’t catch Part I? Don’t fret. Just click HERE and that post will open in a new browser tab so you won’t lose your spot here.
Also I snapped this picture the morning of my home buyer education course. I talk more about that in Step #9 but we will get there soon….
Step #4: I chose one housing grant and began completing the leg work. (september 2017)
I began with searching nationwide and then narrowed it down to the state of Florida. Too many complicated steps, too long of a waitlist or too long to have to live in the home I would purchased (I wanted the option to sell if needed). I was getting frustrated again. Another dark cloud of “Can I really do this?” hung in the air. Tired and feeling like I had nothing to lose I typed “housing grants in West Palm Beach” and there it was. Simple and straightforward. It was mine. I just knew it.
Step #5: I started looking at properties. A lot of them. (September & October 2017)
So the condo shopping journey began with Anthony but by this time he’s become “Tony.” Based on his listings and my previous searches with the realtors who didn’t make the cut, I had my eye on a certain school zone that I thought would be perfect for me. We looked at a few units in the area and I was pleased but not ecstatic. Then one evening Tony sent over a few listings in community I’d never heard of. Closer to downtown and surrounded by homes in the $500k - $800k range. Clearly Tony had lost his damn mind. Did he forget I was a teacher and a soon-to-be single mother?! He insisted that there was no harm in looking and so we did. I’m glad I listened to him.
Step #6: I narrowed it down to one CONDOMINIUM community and chose my top three units. (October 2017)
This community was perfect! Gated with 24 hour guards at both entrances. HOA fees were under $400 a month. Community clubhouse with screened in patio, large pool and hot tub. The best thing about the community was that there were condos for every price range. It really boiled down to how upgraded the unit was. I went for mid-level units. Enough to where I would look forward to move in day but not too high to where I would cry when my first mortgage payment was due. From my experience with looking at condos, I knew how quickly they could be taken off the market so I choose my top three units just in case they started to go fast.
Step #7: I found another lender…and then another… (October & November 2017)
Now remember at this point I am absolutely sold on this one particular condominium community. Well, let’s just say Wells Fargo was not. Something about the HOA’s condo reserves or some bullshit of that nature. Nothing that I could change or control. I felt beyond betrayed. I’ve been banking with Wells Fargo (by the way of my mother) since they were Wachovia!
Instead of changing communities, Tony suggested I change lenders and hopefully choose one that was local. So I did and got approved. But guess what? They wouldn’t sign off on a loan in that community for the same reason as Wells Fargo! I know what you’re thinking, “Damn girl! Maybe it’s a sign.” Naw, sis. That wasn’t it. I promise you the reserves situation was such a minor detail in the grand schemes of things.
Although not ready to give but annoyed enough to where I wanted a break. But not Tony. This man doesn’t take no for an answer. And before you even think it, it wasn’t for the commission. Trust me when I say he wasn’t going to make too much from my modest purchase. He suggested that I reach out the woman who was assisting me with the housing grant assuming that perhaps she knew of a lender familiar with this particular condo community.. Another home run for Tony because the woman did indeed have the perfect bank for me to partner with!
Le sigh. We’re getting closer.
Step #8: I got divorced and my housing grant (November 2017)
November 1, 2017. I won’t ever forget that date. My court session was slated for 9:00 a.m. My soon-to-be ex wasn’t present of course. He never was (get it?). I, however, was there with my family lawyer and my round 7 1/2 month belly. At first my request for a divorce was denied by the judge. Something about lack of providing a parenting plan to the courts. I literally screamed when she said no. Tears quickly followed. My lawyer asked for a moment to rework things explaining that I needed to get the divorce to secure housing for me and my child and that the matter was time sensitive. He wasn’t lying. About an hour later she approved my divorce and I was free!
How did I celebrate you ask? By running out of the courthouse to City Hall one street over. I’d already submitted all the other paperwork needed weeks earlier. My divorce decree was the ONLY document standing in my way. When I walked into her office, the woman who had been assisting me with securing the grant was happier than I was. When she told me the grant was mine, I started crying again but this time they were tears of pure joy.
Step #9: I COMPLETED my first time HOME BUYERS course (November 2017)
Wait. I lied. There was one other document I needed before putting in my offer, my Home Buyer Education Course certificate. I remember the night before the class I couldn’t sleep. I was so nervous. “Am I really doing this? Alone?” I thought all night. I’d always imagined having my first child and buying my first home with my loving husband by my side. But that wasn’t the case. My co-star wasn’t there but the show had to continue. Not just for me but for Ava. Even while still in the womb I wanted to teach her that no matter what you keep fighting to accomplish your goals.
I made it to the class about half an hour early and the room was filled with bright eyed couples. And then there I was, freshly divorced and pregnant as hell. I wanted to leave honestly. I felt embarrassed and intimidated. But then Ava gave me a swift kick to the bladder knocking some sense into me. So after my return from the restroom I decided to sit in the front row. I didn’t want to worry about any questionable stares from the others. I was focused. I was determined.
A lot of the material I already knew from my personal research but some information was new and very helpful. A few hours later and I was done. My certificate was emailed to me before I could make it to my car. Immediately I forwarded it to my relator, lender and City Hall.
It’s time to buy a condo y’all! (Stay tuned for the final segment of this blog series…)