I’m ready to buy a house. What is my budget? Where do I begin? How am I going to do this? Where do I start? Will this home be my forever home? What is the process of getting one? Will I have a new build? Older home? How many bedrooms and bathrooms? Is there a garage attached? I have so many questions that need to be answered.
Let me take you back to six years ago. I had given birth to Zora and sitting in the NICU with her. I made two promises to her: to get us a car, and to move us into a house of our own. I came through with the first promise and started working on the next one, which brings us to the present day.
2021, my cousin told me about NACA, the program to help people purchase a home without getting caught up with predatory lending practices. I signed up for the virtual workshop and got my ID. I began uploading documents as I got them and began planning out what my house must-haves were. My hard line is not being a part of an HOA.
Since the initial workshop, I’ve switched jobs and moved a few times. I still had the notebook that I looked through periodically. I added a Sunday dinner menu, a master grocery list, and things I would love to have, need, and want in my home. I also designed everything down to the backsplash that will be used in the kitchen, and the tiles for the bathroom.
This morning, I went to the NACA housing event, armed with everything: W-2 forms from the past two years, tax forms from the past two years, 30 days’ worth of pay stubs, identification, and other items I may need. I input everything, did my budget, and screamed internally, because I realized I was bleeding cash. I talked to a counselor and she suggested I complete a few things: put myself on a budget, pay down some debts, and pay off a bill or two. She wants to check back in with me in March to see how much progress I made.
I’m happy to start a new chapter. Maybe this will motivate me to finally getting my ish in order for good. I’ll see you tomorrow!
