New Home, New Start: Single Mom of Four Returns to Homewise to Sell First Home and Buy Second Home for Growing Family
Erica was raised by her mom to be strong and independent, and was taught that setting goals for herself and attaining them was important. Before she had even graduated from college, Erica was thinking about buying her own home in Santa Fe. She came to Homewise where she learned what she needed to do to become financially prepared. She figured it would take her a few years to build her credit, but when her son was born a year later, she became even more serious about her commitment to owning a home.
Erica was working as an x-ray technologist at CHRISTUS St. Vincent and was able to take advantage of a down payment assistance program offered to employees through the hospital’s partnership with Homewise. Soon she purchased a home where she spent the next few years settling in and growing her family.
When COVID hit, Erica went through some difficult challenges and decided to put her energy into a new career. She got a job working for the City of Santa Fe Community Engagement Department as a Special Events Coordinator. Erica loved her new position. “I was lucky to have a manager who encouraged me and understood my need for flexibility.”
All the while Erica was navigating the changes in her life, the lessons she learned from Homewise stayed with her. She was diligent in maintaining her good credit, was careful not to spend money on things she did not really need, and always stayed focused on the future. Soon Erica had a new goal: to purchase a larger home.
When the time was right, Erica worked with Homewise Realtor® Ashley to sell her home. Even though she was excited to move, it was still emotionally hard to leave the home where she had spent nearly a decade raising her family of four children. “Ashley was great though,” said Erica. “There was never any pressure, and she really listened and was sensitive to our needs.” Erica also appreciated that Ashley was available at all hours. “If I had questions or concerns, I could call her first thing in the morning, or late in the evening and Ashley would always respond.”
Erica was happy to sell her home to a young family with kids. “It felt like a good fit choosing them as the new homeowners,” she noted.
While her first home was being sold, Erica was also looking for a new home. She worked with Pricy, another Homewise Realtor®, who let Erica know that this time, as a single mom with four kids, she qualified for one of the newly-built affordable homes at Desert Sage, a Homewise Homes® community on the south side of Santa Fe. “Financially, it made a huge difference for me,” she said. It was the first home she looked at that felt right to her, and Erica soon became a homeowner for the second time.
Erica loves the open floorplan and high vaulted ceiling. “I like being able to see what all the kids are up to. Even if we are all doing something different, it still feels like we are spending time together.” She also loves the close proximity to parks and trails as they are a big outdoors family. And although they have been in their new home for just a week, Erica has already set up a time for a landscaper to come out. “The yard will be my first big project. I look forward to having get-togethers, and want to build a play area for the kids. It’s great to have this extra space to enjoy!”
Building equity from such a young age has provided Erica with a lot of financial stability. She is proud that she was able to use the leverage from selling her first home to purchase a great new home for her family. “I encourage people all the time to pursue homeownership. Even if it seems too expensive in Santa Fe, there are programs that can help, or even teach you how to prepare so you can eventually get there.”
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