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A Homeownership Celebration: Sophia & Delroy
Every first-time home buyer’s story is unique. Each experience
in our lives teaches the right way and the wrong way to
do things. Sophia and Delroy
have achieved their goal of
homeownership, and through their experience each
one of you
will have the opportunity to learn and
hopefully be motivated to start
or finish your
own first-time home buyer journey.
When asked why she and Delroy bought a house, Sophia responded that a
desire
for their children to be able to enjoy their childhood motivated the decision.
Sophia and
Delroy have been married for seven and a half years and have two
daughters – Endonesia,
15, and Zaire, 6. “Where we were renting I did not want
the kids to go outside,” Delroy
said. “That is what motivated me to own a home
so they could have somewhere to
play.” |
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And thus began the year and a half journey with a purpose and a vision for their kids.
As with many goals, there was more than one reason for this pursuit. “We knew one of
our investments should be a home. When you are renting there is no return. We wanted
to see something appreciate, not depreciate,” Sophia said.
Their key to success was using the resources that were available to them as first-time buyers. “My boss saw an
article on the IDA program and gave it to me,” Sophia said. The IDA, or Individual Development Account, is a
savings and matching program that helped them come up with the some of their down payment. They did their
own research and found that they were also able to use HouseHartford since they were planning to buy their home
in Hartford. Sophia and Delroy purchased a home on Ridgefield Street in the North End of Harford. Despite the stigma attached to the neighborhood, Sophia considered it
appropriate for a professional family to purchase a home
in the North End—with its park, big, sturdy houses, and so
much character. “[When I was] growing up, this was the
who’s who area and I always loved it here.”
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"Where we were
renting, [we] did not
want the kids to go
outside. That is what
motivated [us] to
own
a home so that
they
could have
somewhere
to play." |
HouseHartford is a mortgage program that offers home
buyers down payment and closing cost assistance. It is
available to persons or families who wish to purchase in
Hartford but would not be able to acquire their homes
without such assistance. “Some people think this program
might be a barrier because they make sure that you have an
inspection and get things repaired, but I feel it is a benefit
to get things exposed,” Sophia said. “Sometimes we don’t
see things because of our excitement in buying a home.” Delroy agreed with his wife and added, “Do different
research, find out the history of the house, and the most
important thing is to get the home inspection. We heard
so many stories in the homeownership education classes
about people who did not get an inspection. Once you buy
the house, whatever problems there are belong to you.” |
The IDA program requires that you complete an approved
homeownership education course. “We had a vision to buy
a home, and these programs helped us to prepare financially
for our piece of the pie,” Sophia reported. They both loved
going to the classes and encourage other future home
buyers to inform themselves as well. “Don’t buy without
getting educated,” Sophia said. “They teach you to know
[not only] how to buy a home but also how to deal with
your finances so someone can’t come and take our home.”
Sophia recalled their biggest obstacle–when Delroy lost
his job. But that didn’t deter them. They kept taking the
classes and kept their eyes on their dream. “My husband
and I encouraged each other. We wanted a house. It was a
real dream for us.”
So with their 30-year fixed mortgage in place and the keys
in hand, they walked into their dream home. Sophia noted,
“We just walked through the house and just praised God
and gave him the glory. We were in awe that we [had]
And the journey continues in their third year of homeownership. On April 5,
2006, Sophia and Delroy received an award at the “Thank You” Celebration,
sponsored by Hartford Mayor Eddie A. Perez and The Neighborhoods of
Hartford, Inc. The event was held in Hartford and honored residents within
the Hartford Rising Star Blocks and Hartford Pride Blocks who exhibited
neighborhood leadership in the program and/or rehabilitated their homes.
Ridgefield Street is a Pride Block. Pride Blocks are residential areas that
encompass one street or a portion of a street. This program is a part of the
homeownership initiative of Mayor Perez, which is designed to promote
taking care of your property and encouraging your neighbors to do the same to
improve the community’s image. “Sophia and Delroy . . . are great examples of leadership within Hartford’s urban revitalization. They are proud and excited
about their investment in the Ridgefield Street Pride Block. Their message is
‘come, invest, and stay,’” said Jacqueline Dickens, Outreach Coordinator for
the Ridgefield Street Pride Block.
What is the best part of
homeownership for them?
“To know that it is yours.
It is a great feeling to know
that we are connected to the
neighborhood. To be able
to embellish the yard and to
work with my husband to
fix it. You can do whatever
you want to make it your
own,” Sophia said. Then she
added with a smile, “To see
my family in the back with
the flowers and to know we
have something that belongs
to us.”
Source: First Time Homebuyer Magazine (June-2006)
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