Alexis thought that homeownership would always be out of reach for her. But now, as a Habitat homeowner, she and her kids can finally plant roots.
“There’s a lot of emotions to becoming a homeowner,” shares Alexis, who is a dental assistant. “It hasn’t been easy, but I figured it out. It makes me feel great.”
Until two years ago, Alexis, her son and two daughters lived with her family in Lakewood, where she grew up. After they moved into their current two-bedroom apartment in east Denver, Alexis started looking for a larger place but was daunted by rents that topped $3,500 a month
“My kids have outgrown the rooms we have now, but everything else was way too expensive,” shares Alexis. “I’d heard about Habitat for Humanity from a friend who’d bought a Habitat home 10 years ago and is still there. She spoke very highly about Habitat, so I applied.”
Alexis’s son, Julian, is away at college, but her daughters, Ally, and Nia, are excited about the move and having their own rooms for the first time. Alexis is looking forward to having a backyard where Nia can play. She is also excited to sit on the front patio, where she will have a view of the mountains.
Alexis’s three-bedroom home was built on land that is being leased to Habitat by Augustana Lutheran Church. Because the church will retain ownership of the land, and Alexis will purchase just her home, she will experience some cost savings and pay less in property tax. The home is also centrally located, near businesses and Alexis’s job.
“It is the perfect home for us,” shares Alexis. “The location is 10 minutes away from my job, and close to the gym and the grocery store. The house is beautiful and brand new.”
And her mortgage will be less than her current rent, shares Alexis.
Alexis completed Habitat’s homeownership classes as part of her homebuying journey – learning about basic repairs, homeowners’ insurance, how to be a good neighbor, routine maintenance and real estate taxes. She also worked on her sweat equity hours, building her home and the homes of other Habitat buyers.
Alexis learned to use a nail gun, install stairway supports, and attach siding when she worked on her future home.
“The volunteers gave me the confidence I needed to use the nail gun and I used it the whole day,” shares Alexis. “It was a great experience. I’ve met great people in the Habitat community.”
“There’s a lot of emotions to becoming a homeowner… It hasn’t been easy, but I figured it out. It makes me feel great.”
– Alexis, Habitat Homeowner
