By Constance Rigney, July 6, 2021
Stories like this one; stories where possibilities become realities, stories where the investment pays off–these are the stories that keep me in love with the field of real estate.
About eight years ago, Kaela attended home a buying workshop at Proud Ground, an amazing non-profit that bases its programs on a community land trust model of permanent affordability, and aims to expand homeownership opportunities for low- and moderate-income families so they can live or remain in the community of their choice (more about Proud Ground here: https://proudground.org/). The workshop really got Kaela thinking and dreaming about the possibility of home ownership.
The good folks at Proud Ground linked Kaela up with Hacienda CDC, a Latino Community Development Corporation that strengthens families by providing affordable housing, homeownership support, economic advancement and educational opportunities (more about Hacienda CDC here: https://haciendacdc.org). Kaela took a first time homebuyer class there and learned about the IDA program, which had a savings match component. She saved $3,000 in three years with that program, by saving $25 per month from her paycheck, and $700 of her tax refund each year.
At the end of three years, the IDA program matched Kaela’s $3000, 3 to 1, and gave her $9000, for a total of $12,000, which she used as a down payment for her first home!
The Portland Housing Center offers first mortgages with low down payments, down payment and closing cost assistance, and access to savings matching programs (more about Portland Housing Center here: https://portlandhousingcenter.org/about-us/). The organization helped Kaela find a mortgage that she could qualify for, even though she had the hurdle of lower income and the financial impact of being a single mom.
Kaela realized it was really going to happen!! She had all the logistics in place–she was ready to buy her first home!
Enter my esteemed business partner, Matt Guy. He was able to help Kaela find a sweet little home in Milwaukie, with a big yard–perfect for her green thumb, and her growing baby boy.
Fast forward five years….Kaela has two kiddos, and delightful, musical husband (Thomas), and a beautiful yard! The time had come to move on from this lovely little home, to a home that will provide more space for their growing family, musical pursuits, and Kaela’s DIY projects.
Kaela made a great investment in her first home. She undertook projects that increased its value–a kitchen remodel, converted the garage into the primary bedroom, installed wood floors, the list goes on and on. With Kaela’s patience, craftiness, and hardwork, she was able to sell her Milwaukie home for a considerable profit, and make that new, bigger home a reality.
This is where I enter the story….It was time to cross the river!
Thomas is employed in Vancouver, WA, and let me tell you, the commute from Milwaukie to Vancouver will eat your day-there are much better ways to spend your time. It just made sense to this family to leave Oregon behind, and head north to the great state of Washington.
The real estate market in Vancouver is just about as brutal as it is in Portland, but these wonderful people held strong, and secured a cool 70s ranch, with all they desired, including a music studio/shop out back. Success!
If Kaela and Thomas are as savvy with this home as they were with their last (and I’m placing bets that they will be), this is not the end of their real estate story, it’s most definitely To Be Continued…..
Congratulations to a wonderful family! It was truly a pleasure to work with you. Looking forward to more adventures in the future!
Constance Rigney
Broker | OR & WA
She/Her
What I love about the field of real estate is that essentially, it’s about dreams and possibilities. It’s about finding a space that can support the life you are envisioning and crafting.
Whether purchasing your first home, dialing in your next investment property, or selling your home, my goal as your agent is to be your ally and advocate, to work diligently and creatively to help you through the process. What distinguishes me from other REALTORS®? My style in both real estate, and the rest of life, is down to earth and humorous; my spirit warm and enthusiastic. Being flexible, thorough, ethical, and a topnotch communicator are the cornerstones of my business. I am a dedicated worker and won’t stop until I get the job done! I grew up on the East Coast, but my sense of adventure brought me to Oregon, where I found a richness of community, and a great love for the wondrous natural environment of the Northwest. I spent ten years in this city as a practitioner of Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, all the while learning about Portland’s neighborhoods, and hidden gems, through the stories of the fascinating people that call this lovely city home. Joyfully part of a dream team, I’m currently partnered with Matt Guy, wonderful human and long time real estate whiz. We work expeditiously to successfully help our clients turn their vision into reality. In my free time you might find me living the VW Van life with my dreamy husband, Scott, and firecracker daughter Roslyn; soaking up the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, supporting local non-profits, or celebrating Portland’s local music scene.- T: 503-860-4293
- constance@livingroomre.com
