Where to Start: Your Keys to Homeownership™
Homeownership can be a daunting concept to tackle. “Where do I start?” “What about my credit score?” For many, buying a home feels way out of reach, even if they are cutting back on avocado toast and trips to their favorite coffee shop.
Or maybe homeownership isn’t even on your radar yet, but you’d like to make a financial plan to be ready for the future. Samantha, a HUD-Certified Housing Counselor and Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity’s Pathways Homeownership™ Coordinator, is here to help.
Samantha leads Keys to Homeownership™ – a workshop series that guides you step-by-step in learning the ins and outs of financial preparation, homeownership, and the process of buying a home.
Understanding the Unknown
Samantha shares that many first-time homebuyers feel intimidated by the idea of homeownership and the responsibilities that come with it. Her four-part workshop series offers a clear, behind-the-scenes look at the process and creates a supportive environment for asking questions. From exploring mortgage options to hearing directly from a lending professional, this series is designed to guide you through every step of the homeownership journey.
“People learn what happens behind the scenes – like what goes on when you fill out a loan application – and I think that really opens their eyes and makes it less scary,” says Samantha.
Building Community
Surprisingly, beginning your journey to homeownership can also build a sense of community. Workshop attendees have the chance to connect with others who are facing similar questions, doubts, and challenges, creating a supportive and welcoming environment where participants learn from one another.
“There was one participant who had an emotional moment just talking about her struggles as a single mom and feeling inadequate. It was so beautiful to see the women in the room just pour life into her,” says Samantha.
Tools to Succeed
Throughout Keys to Homeownership™ Samantha equips each participant with tools tailored to their homeownership journey—from understanding different mortgage options to demystifying credit scores. She emphasizes the value of accessing your FICO score, which compiles data from all three credit bureaus, to help you make informed financial decisions and ask the right questions.
Near the end of the series, participants can receive a free FICO credit report through a soft inquiry that won’t impact their credit score. You’ll leave with knowledge of your credit report and a range of financial tools to help you plan for the future or move forward on the path to homeownership.
A Network of Resources
Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity is part of the broader Black Home Initiative—a regional partnership uniting hundreds of nonprofits, businesses, philanthropies, and government organizations to increase Black homeownership in our community.
It is our mission to provide individuals, families, and communities – especially marginalized communities – access to affordable homeownership and resources for financial wellness. Whether it is learning how to build your credit score or how to buy your first home, we are here to help you along the way.
“There are a lot of people working behind the scenes to uplift the community,” Samantha explains. “When people find out that there is a whole underground network of people trying to uplift not just the Black community, but all marginalized communities, it encourages them.”