Up to the Challenge

“Don’t be afraid of a challenge,” single mother Lourdes Ramos instructed her son Juancarlos. “Find a way to accomplish it.” After immigrating to the United States from a rural town in Mexico, Lourdes worked several low-paying jobs just to afford a small studio apartment in Glassel Park.  Inspired by his mother’s example of hard work and determination,  Juancarlos did well in school and established a career in business management. Then the thirty-one year old set a very ambitious goal for himself.  He decided to buy a house.   

Like an increasing number of successful first time homeowners, Juancarlos started the homebuying process by attending a New Economics for Women NEW CASA homeownership workshop.  He was very concerned about being able to afford a mortgage, but his hope began to rise when he heard about the many programs designed to help first time homeowners. It wasn’t easy but he learned much about the complicated process of buying a house.  Ultimately he chose an agent and lender that best meet his needs and he got preapproved for a loan – from three different banks!

In four months, Juancarlos and Lourdes moved into their own beautiful four bedroom home in Sylmar, California.  Juancarlos intends to plant trees in the backyard and host a lot of gatherings.  “My mother and I would like to add that NEW CASA has truly been a blessing to us,” said Juancarlos.  “As first generation immigrants, we experienced first-hand how hard it is to arrive with nothing and how great it feels to finally own a home. Being able to say that we are home owners in the United States of America means that we have succeeded in many ways,” said Juancarlos, “We feel grateful for being among those so blessed.”