From Renting to Owning: The Sanchez Family’s Homeownership Journey
Earlier this year, Jordan and her husband were just like many young couples today, navigating paying rent while dreaming of homeownership. Fast forward to today, they’re proud owners of a four-bedroom home—proof that preparation, persistence, and faith can turn dreams into keys.
The Numbers That Matter
Purchase Price: $355,000
Interest Rate: 6.24% (FHA loan)
Down Payment + Closing Cost: About $15,000
When Life Changes the Timeline
Like many couples, Jordan and her husband had a “someday” timeline for buying a home. Then reality hit from two directions.
First came family pressure for a big wedding. “I was more prone to save that money towards a down payment, but our family got involved,” Jordan laughs. That $25,000 wedding pushed their timeline back, but didn’t kill their dream.
Then Jordan became pregnant with their second child. Suddenly, their three-bedroom rental felt cramped, and “someday” became “we need to do this now.” Just one month before her due date, they found themselves racing against the clock.
But here’s the beautiful part: they were ready when opportunity knocked.
What most people don’t realize is that if you go into labor during the mortgage process, you may need to resubmit all your paperwork and income verification after the baby arrives. Lenders require updated documentation when your income situation changes. Jordan knew this little-known fact (thanks to her trusted realtor and lender), which added extra urgency to close before her delivery date. “We had to move fast because I didn’t want to deal with restarting the whole process with a newborn,” she explains.
» MORE: Calculate your buying power with the Affordability Calculator
The Secret Sauce: Faith + Preparation
“I’m very driven by the spirit of the Lord,” Jordan shares. “I was praying about this house, and if it wasn’t ours, I asked God to give me peace and help us find something else.” But Jordan didn’t just pray—she prepared. Years before they needed it, the Sanchez’s had already:
- Figured out how much home they could realistically afford to purchase
- Researched homebuying tips while also working with their realtor to understand local market conditions
- Built up and safeguarded their credit scores so they could move fast when a home presented itself
- Understood their down payment and mortgage options
- Created a realistic monthly budget to live off of before, during, and after their search for a home
When their dream home hit the market, they could move quickly instead of scrambling to get ready.
How They Made It Work
Credit Strategy: “We kept our credit score high for over two years. Paid off cards. Kept debt low. That alone made everything faster.”
Smart Budgeting: “We were used to living lean. Once we knew we’d be on one income, due to maternity leave, we stopped eating out and stuck to a budget—but still left space for fun.”
Realistic Expectations: They chose a home that fit their budget, taste, and needs.
Faith Over Fear: When uncertainty crept in, they didn’t panic.
The Sweet Victory
Today, Jordan’s family enjoys their spacious four-bedroom, two-bath home with a two-car garage. But the real victory goes beyond extra square footage.
“It feels like we’re not throwing money away,” Jordan beams. “We’re finally investing in something that’s ours. This is something we could pass on to our kids or build equity to find something bigger.”
The transformation from renters to owners happened with just $15,000 down—proof you don’t need a massive down payment to make homeownership work.
The Bottom Line
“If you actually do the homework, put the numbers on paper, and do your research prior to taking that step, you’ll have a clear picture of what it looks like,” Jordan advises. “People are so afraid to make that commitment, but when you’re prepared, you realize you’re more capable than you think.”
The real secret? Start preparing today, even if you’re not planning to buy for another year or two. When the right opportunity presents itself—and it will—you’ll be ready to say yes instead of “we need more time.”
Now, as a growing family with a home they love and equity building every month, the Sanchez’s have the stability they dreamed of. As Jordan puts it: “It feels good to come home and know… it’s ours.”
» MORE: Use this Mortgage Calculator to compare your mortgage options side-by-side.