At 27, Chris Stalling knew he was ready to begin building a more independent future. He wanted to move out of his mother’s home and eventually purchase a home of his own, but he had little experience to draw from as he considered taking that step. “Not many people in my family, besides my grandpa and my auntie, have bought a house,” Chris said. “I really didn’t know how to go about it or what I needed to do.”
A nurse who helps care for Chris’s younger brother introduced him to NeighborWorks Waco. After researching the organization and learning that its education and counseling services were available at no cost, Chris decided to reach out.
He began with NeighborWorks Waco’s Homebuyer Education Workshop, driving from Killeen to attend the class in person. He earned his homebuyer education certificate and continued working with the organization through their financ
ial and homeownership counseling services to better understand his finances and readiness for homeownership.
For Chris, having access to information was especially valuable. He was beginning to navigate many of the financial responsibilities that come with adulthood, but no one had previously taught him how the homebuying process worked.
“Getting the information was very important to me and very eye-opening,” he said.
Before attending the workshop, Chris expected homebuying to be confusing, intimidating, and difficult to understand. Instead, he found an environment where he felt comfortable asking questions and learning at his own pace.
He especially appreciated working with Antoinette Moses, Housing Counselor and Lending Coordinator, whose warmth and ability to explain complicated information made the experience feel less overwhelming.
“She made it very fun and informative,” Chris said. “She broke it down to where everyone could understand. I felt very comfortable. I wasn’t scared, afraid, or overwhelmed.”
The workshop helped Chris understand that purchasing a home involves much more than finding a property he likes. He learned about appraisals, surveys, inspections, negotiations, and other important steps that can protect a buyer before a purchase becomes final.
Those details gave him a greater sense of control over the process. Rather than entering a transaction without knowing what questions to ask, Chris now understands how to examine a property carefully, identify concerns, and make informed decisions.
He also began thinking differently about the long-term value of homeownership. Friends and family had warned him about the responsibilities that come with owning a home, including the cost of repairs and maintenance. Chris recognized those responsibilities but also saw the opportunity to invest in something that would eventually belong to him.
“I would rather pay for something that I’m trying to own instead of renting something that I’m never really going to own,” he said.
Individualized counseling gave Chris a clearer picture of his current financial position. A review of his credit showed that his credit score was strong, but his existing debt needed to be reduced before he would be ready to qualify for a mortgage.
Although that meant Chris could not move forward with a home purchase immediately, the conversation did not discourage him. Instead, it gave him a practical plan. “I thought it was going to be a lot scarier, more strenuous, or more confusing,” he said. “But they broke it down really well for me, and it was easy to understand.”
Chris now knows what he needs to address and plans to focus on reducing his debt before returning to the homebuying process. He hopes to be ready to purchase a home within the coming year.
Just as important as the information he received was the way it was delivered. Chris never felt pressured to make a decision or move forward before he was ready. He felt that Antoinette and the NeighborWorks Waco team were there to support his goals, whatever timeline he chose.
“It was her presence and her warmth,” he said. “It was like, ‘Whatever you decide is going to be okay, and I support you wholeheartedly.’ She wasn’t trying to force me to do anything.”
That encouragement helped Chris see that learning he was not yet mortgage-ready was not the end of his journey. It was simply one step in preparing for a successful purchase later.
Today, Chris feels more confident evaluating his finances and making decisions about homeownership. He recommends NeighborWorks Waco to others, including those who know they may not be ready to buy immediately.
“They lay everything out on the table for you, and it’s easy to understand,” he said. “They give you the information you need, and if you have a question, you can ask. They give you a broader understanding so you won’t be confused on your own.”
For Chris, beginning his homeownership education early has replaced uncertainty with knowledge and fear with a plan.
“It was an amazing experience,” he said. “I’ll always keep it near and dear to my heart because it broadened and opened my mind. I’m so happy and glad I was able to experience something like that early in life. It’s not as scary anymore.”
