Homeowner Spotlight: Sara's Journey to Homeownership

"Trust the process. It’s long, but it's worth it."

From Instability to Permanence

Sara became a Habitat homeowner on December 12, 2022, creating a stable foundation for her three children – triplets who needed a place to truly call home. As a single mother, Sara had experienced the uncertainty of living with her ex-husband, then with family members, navigating constant changes while desperately wanting to give her children the security of their own home.

"I really wanted a home of our own for my kids so that they would have a place to grow up where it was their own home," Sara explains. The Habitat program offered her exactly what she was seeking: not just homeownership, but the stability and pride that comes with having a permanent place in the world.

A Comprehensive Learning Experience

Sara's experience with Habitat transformed her approach to both homeownership and financial management. The program's comprehensive support system helped her develop skills she continues to use today, with the financial education classes being particularly impactful.

"Financial classes were the best thing!" she shares enthusiastically. Sara was especially proud of completing the financial education program in just four months, demonstrating her commitment to building the skills necessary for successful homeownership.

Financial Skills That Changed Everything

One of the most valuable aspects of Sara's Habitat experience was learning essential financial management skills that extended far beyond buying a home. Through the program, she gained knowledge about:

• Credit repair and management – Taking immediate action to address outstanding charges and establish payment plans

• Budgeting and money tracking – Learning to create and maintain flexible budgets for changing circumstances

• Financial planning – Understanding how to save for both necessities and family enjoyment

• Problem-solving approach – Developing confidence to tackle financial challenges step by step

Sara's proactive approach impressed even her financial coach. While other program participants often stressed about creating their first budget, Sara focused on what she could control immediately – calling creditors, getting charges dismissed, and setting up payment plans. "Most people don't get to that stuff until later on," her coach noted, praising Sara's initiative in addressing these crucial first steps.

Building More Than Just a Home

Since becoming a homeowner, Sara has created lasting memories and achieved stability that extends throughout her family's life. One of her proudest accomplishments is starting a Michigan counties adventure tradition with her children, made possible by the financial breathing room homeownership provides.

Using a scratch-off map of Michigan counties, Sara and her triplets take turns choosing destinations for family adventures. They've visited Kent County for the zoo, Ingham County for boat rides, and always end each trip with ice cream – a tradition that brings joy while teaching her children about their state.

"Having your own home is one of the best things that you can do for yourself and your family," Sara reflects. Her children now ride the school bus home to their own house every day, feeling proud of their home and secure in knowing it's permanently theirs.

Overcoming Challenges with Confidence

Sara acknowledges that homeownership isn't always easy – when something goes wrong, she has to figure it out herself. But this responsibility has become empowering rather than overwhelming. Even simple decisions like hanging pictures on walls, something she was hesitant to do in her fresh, new home, represent the freedom of making her own choices.

"It's my own home, and if I haven't decorated it to the extent that I want to yet, I still have that option," she explains. "When my kids are ready to do something for one of their spaces, they can come to me and say 'hey mom I wanna do this' and I can say 'yes we can do that.'"

Her children have benefited tremendously from this stability, making friends in their neighborhood and developing meaningful relationships. Her daughter even befriended an elderly neighbor whom she visits regularly, sometimes getting off the school bus at her house just to say hello.

A Message of Encouragement

For those considering applying to Habitat, Sara offers both realistic expectations and strong encouragement:

Be prepared for the journey: "It is a process, a fairly long one, and it can have ups and downs, but it is all worth it."

Don't fear the attention: "The publicity isn't as bad as it feels, and you can have an impact on someone else who also is considering applying." Sara's story as a single mother with triplets inspired others to believe that if she could achieve homeownership, so could they.

Focus on what you can control: Sara's approach of tackling manageable tasks first, rather than getting overwhelmed by the big picture, helped her succeed where others might struggle.

Trust the process: "It's completely worth all the steps and worth the coaching and worth going through the homebuyer education classes, because in the end, it means that you have your own home that's brand new or newly remade just for you and for your family."

Sara's story demonstrates how Habitat's comprehensive approach creates not just homeowners, but confident families with the skills and stability to thrive. From financial literacy that enables family adventures to the deep security of permanent housing, her journey shows the transformative power of homeownership done right.