For Arturo and Maria “Susie” Lomas, the dream of owning a home was years in the making.
After spending many years paying rent, Arturo and Susie were ready to take the next step and purchase a home of their own. They had the income to manage a monthly mortgage payment, but an unexpected hardship made reaching that goal more difficult than they anticipated.
Their son had experienced a serious illness, leaving the family with unexpected medical bills that affected their credit. When Arturo and Susie began trying to purchase a home, their credit score became a barrier. They faced rejection more than once, and over time, those experiences began to make the possibility of homeownership feel increasingly out of reach.
Then they learned about NeighborWorks Waco.
Because of what they had experienced before, Arturo and Susie approached NeighborWorks Waco with some uncertainty. They did not know whether this experience would be any different from the others. It was.
From their first interactions with Mortgage Loan Officer Martha M. Johnson, Arturo and Susie felt they were being treated with respect. “Martha gave us hope,” they shared. “She never made us feel we should stop coming and pursuing our dream.”
Rather than focusing only on the obstacles standing between the couple and homeownership, Martha helped them understand what they needed to do to move forward. She walked them through the process, explained the documents they would need, and helped guide them from one step to the next.
Just as importantly, Arturo and Susie say they never felt judged or discouraged. “Never in the process did she give us a word of discouragement,” they said. “She treated us with respect and professionalism.”
That experience was especially meaningful after previous attempts to obtain financing had left them feeling discouraged and, at times, diminished. At NeighborWorks Waco, they found something different: people who listened to their story, respected what they had been through, and helped them continue working toward their goal.
Arturo and Susie also credit Mario Perales and Antoinette Moses for the roles they played in helping make their home loan possible. They remember each staff member they encountered for the kindness, integrity, and professionalism they demonstrated throughout the process.
For the Lomas family, receiving a home loan meant much more than completing a financial transaction. It meant finally reaching a goal they had continued pursuing even when circumstances made it difficult.
Today, Arturo and Susie are grateful they did not give up. They are also eager to encourage other families who may feel uncertain about whether homeownership is possible for them.
“We will highly recommend NeighborWorks Waco to anyone seeking financial assistance to buy a home,” they shared. “You make dreams come true.” For Arturo and Susie, those words come from personal experience. What once seemed beyond their reach became possible with the right guidance, encouragement, and support.
And after years of hoping for a home of their own, they can finally say that dream became a reality.
