In Coolidge, a story of tenacity and the human spirit emerges, as 78-year-old Sherry Yates defies the norm by becoming a first-time homeowner. According to ABC15, this milestone came after years of shifting from rental to rental, a journey marked by the ebb and flow of change and challenge. Yates, who used to share her space with up to 12 family members, has now secured a 1,700-square-foot home to call her own, complete with four bedrooms and a two-car garage. This investment not only provides her with stability but also enough room to care for her extensive family, including her nonagenarian mother.
Homeownership has often been painted as an elusive pillar of the American Dream, yet Yates' story serves as a poignant example that this dream can, albeit dauntingly, still become a reality—even later in life. "You know, sometimes I feel 35," Yates stated, as quoted by CNN, capturing the essence of rejuvenation that this new chapter in her life represents. After settling down in Arizona back in 2007, Yates faced the instability of displacement, from a sold house in Glendale to a foreclosed one in Avondale, and finally, to renting an apartment in Central Phoenix.
It was a combination of financial guidance and community support that culminated in Yates' path to homeownership. As cited by ABC15, Oakwood Homes Counselor Beckah Stiasny played an instrumental role in helping Yates navigate the daunting process of credit repair and savings. "It's a big, scary thing to buy your home, let alone build your home, so we counsel throughout the whole time," Stiasny expressed. This personalized assistance enabled Yates to overcome the initial barrier of a troublesome credit score and eventually make the necessary $12,000 down payment for her $300,000 house.
The value of this achievement is not lost on Yates, who cherishes her mortgage as if it were a treasured privilege, consistently placing it at the forefront of her financial responsibilities. "I would pay my mortgage before I pay anything," she asserted.
