For Devoe Sherman, a single father of two young daughters, the experience of buying a home “was like going through a storm … you don’t know what you don’t know,” exclaimed Sherman. He used WIN’s free, one-on-one HUD-certified housing counseling program to “get to a brighter day.”
Sherman wanted a home for his family, but he didn’t know anything about the home-buying process. No one in his friend network was a homeowner, and he feared making the wrong decision. After a year of looking at homes, he learned about Working In Neighborhoods (WIN) from an acquaintance on social media.
The young entrepreneur signed up for WIN’s HUD-certified, free, one-on-one counseling program and later WIN’s homebuyer class. “When Devoe came to WIN, he was financially ready to buy, but not emotionally ready,” said HUD-certified counselor Jeff Smith. “He needed someone to work with him through the process.” For Sherman, counseling gave him peace of mind. “I don’t think I would have gotten far without Jeff. He held me accountable. Without him, I might have backed out.”
During the process, Sherman decided he wanted a duplex and took the extra step of taking an online course on how to be a landlord. Last summer, he purchased a home in Bond Hill and converted it back into two units. He lives in one, rents the other, and is confident he made the right choice for his family. “My experience will allow my kids to understand how homeownership works. It provides so many long-term opportunities,” said Sherman.
If you or someone you know needs free financial counseling, contact WIN’s Housing Counseling Intake Specialist, Kai Jones, at (513) 541-4109, ext. 126.