Turning Homeownership Dreams INTO REALITY

Before coming to the Hawaii Home-Ownership Center (HHOC), Terry Visperas experienced some personal changes that had him move in with his parents. This resulted in a longer commute — leaving at 5:30 in the morning to get his son to a 7:30 class. The commute back home at the end of the day was similar, and when they would return home, it was already after dark.

During this period of transition, Terry’s co-worker was going through HHOC’s program, and every week Terry would hear about the wonderful classes and resources offered by HHOC. After his co-worker became a successful homeowner, Terry thought he should enroll with HHOC, too.

Terry claims that the positive role models throughout the program were most helpful to him. From the director to the staff, Terry said, “They all treated me like a really great friend and that they wanted to do their very best to help me find a home. They believed in me when at times I doubted myself.”

Today, Terry is a proud graduate of HHOC’s program. After attending the homebuyer education classes and receiving coaching on his homeownership goal, he bought a home with a short commute to his son’s school and his workplace. This has provided opportunities for his son to get involved in extracurricular activities at school.

“Through it all I am a new and improved me and I can see it in my son,” said Terry. “(We have a) renewed sense of character strength, inner security and personal pride. We are healthier and a thousand times happier!”

Possibly the best part of Terry’s path to becoming a homeowner was surprising his son with their new home just a few days before Christmas a couple of years ago. All of Terry’s friends joined him in the big unveiling of the home to his son with a Christmas tree and “Welcome Home” banner — a video of the big surprise is posted on HHOC’s website.

If you want to become a homeowner, attend a free orientation for first-time buyers. HHOC lists these sessions on its website at hihomeownership.org.

Hawaii HomeOwnership is a nonprofit organization that provides homebuyer education and individual coaching and post-purchase services. Call 523-9500 or email info@hihomeownership.org.