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It's just like icing on the cake
Home ownership is a sweet reward

Leave it to a professional cake decorator to refer to her new home with such sweet sentiments. The icing Luz is talking about is that she managed to buy a new home in her daughter's school district. And, what was the recipe for this happy outcome? As usual, it is largely the efforts of the NHS Phoenix staff putting "homebuying ingredients" together in such a way as to produce this delicious reward.

Since 1998, Luz has been cooking up a plan to purchase her own home. Unlike some, she had a good payment history and savings record. At that time she was renting the aging house next door to her father's house--and owned by him. She loved being close to home, to family, and insisted on buying, or building, a home nearby. Her father referred her to NHS Phoenix. "I liked them from the beginning," says Luz. "I am lucky to have found NHS Phoenix. I trusted them. By myself, I would have been lost. They worked with me through each step."

While Luz started taking prerequisite homebuyer education classes at the HomeOwnership Center, NHS Phoenix began searching for ways to satisfy her "new home" wishes. Vacant lots were identified. One was on the same block as her parents' house but NHS Phoenix's offer was not accepted by the owner. The search continued, but no suitable, affordable lots were found. Finally, NHS Phoenix had an idea. What if Luz's father sold the rental house to NHS Phoenix? It was in disrepair, after all, and NHS Phoenix could build an infill house in its place. While this was a good plan, it posed significant hurdles. Luz's father speaks little English and all the conversations and documents needed to be translated in order to proceed with negotiations. Not only would he lose his monthly rental income, but also Luz and her daughter would have to move into an apartment during demolition and construction.

In February 2000, a deal was struck; NHS Phoenix bought the property and the real work began. More hurdles. First, the house had lead and asbestos that had to be removed before demolition could begin. NHS Phoenix oversaw this process. Second, Garfield sits on an ancient Hohokam site, so archeological testing is required before any new construction can begin. NHS Phoenix oversaw this process as well. Luckily, after weeks of trenching, no artifacts were discovered. NHS Phoenix also applied for and managed the "variance" process required to build a bigger house on the lot. Through all this, Luz stayed the course. She could see her dream home becoming a reality.

"The house was built in three months!" exclaims Luz. "The permits and waiting seemed to take forever but the construction went fast." Luz was able to select her own interior and exterior paint colors, carpeting, cabinets and roof style. In March of 2001, she and her daughter closed on the house and moved in. "NHS Phoenix helped with the loan, the closing, everything. I worked with each NHS Phoenix staff member along the way; they each have their own specialty. Each of them is great."

So now Luz is "cook'in up a storm" in her own kitchen. And, her daughter did not have to change schools in the "moving" process. Luz is having her cake and eating it, too. Quite satisfying, wouldn't you say?