When Romulo first began thinking about buying a home, life felt crowded – not just physically, but emotionally too. He, his wife, and their two sons were living in a small mobile home, with another baby on the way. Space was tight, options felt limited, and the future looked uncertain. Today, that baby is nine years old, and this family’s story looks completely different. Before discovering Homewise, Romulo heard the same message many families hear: Buying a home wasn’t possible.

“Many individuals stated that it was impossible,” he recalls. “I almost believed it, as I had no knowledge of the process.”

Without guidance, the path to homeownership can feel overwhelming – filled with unfamiliar terms, intimidating finances, and uncertainty about where to start. Everything changed after a school presentation at Kirkland Air Force Elementary, where one of his children was enrolled. A Homewise team member spoke to families about how to prepare for buying a home – and suddenly, a door opened. For Romulo and his wife, the turning point came with one phone call.

“The moment we were told ‘your preapproval has been issued’, we could not believe it was true.”

Years of steady work and careful saving, things that had once felt insignificant were, in fact, enough. Today, the family enjoys a fully remodeled space with a large backyard, room to host family gatherings, watch their children play, and simply breathe. It’s during those gatherings that the impact of homeownership began to extend far beyond Romulo’s immediate household. When his aunt, Arelia, came to visit from California, she saw something she hadn’t experienced before – not just a home, but a sense of stability.

“I was living in California when my nephew invited me to Albuquerque to visit him in his new home,” she recalls. “I had a small business and was not generating much income, and only on SSI. I did not believe I made enough to qualify for a mortgage loan.”

But Romulo shared everything he had learned – the classes, the process, the financial realities, and the support he received. He encouraged her to take the same first step. What happened next still feels surreal to her.

“I cried from the emotion and was in total shock and disbelief,” Aurelia says from her own home. “The most shocking was my mortgage payment was less than my rent.”

“When our clients realize their mortgage can be less than what they’re payment in rent, there’s often a shift,” says Sandy, Home Purchase Advisor at Homewise. “It’s not just about affordability; it’s about finally having something of your own and building stability for your future.”

Back within Romulo’s growing circle, something even bigger began to take shape.

“I had two nephews purchase through Homewise before me,” Aurelia shares. “When family gathers, we discuss how everyone is succeeding as a homeowner. This influences the younger generation to buy a home sooner rather than later.”

Romulo beams with pride when he talks about how many family members have been able to purchase a home since being introduced to Homewise. Aurelia feels that pride just as deeply.

For Romulo, owning a home represents two powerful things: financial and physical stability. He purchased his home in 2016 for $69,000, a price that would be nearly impossible to find today. But beyond market value, ownership brought something priceless: Security. Homeownership changed the way Romulo thinks about tomorrow. Now, he sees a future rooted in permanence: a place to grow older with his wife, a home where his grandchildren can gather, a table where family stories will continue to be shared.

“Putting down roots” he says, “means having a place where generations can come together to enjoy a meal and time with one another. We have a place to call home.”

For Aurelia, the idea of “roots” carries its own meaning. “Homeownership is long term, stable, and I have a place where I settled,” she says.

Romulo’s advice to others considering their first home is simple: attend the class, get educated, and don’t let anyone tell you it’s not possible!