Meet Layanna, a teacher and single mom. Through her commitment to her goal and the support of her real estate agent, loan officer, and community, now she's also a brand-new homeowner.
Layanna and her sons proudly show us their new home. 
Layanna and her sons proudly show us their new home. 
Layanna and her sons proudly show us their new home. 
Layanna and her sons proudly show us their new home.
"Owning my home means pure happiness because being able to provide more stability and a better sense of security to my family means the world to me," Layanna said. "Moving forward at the right time truly became a prayer answered and a blessing openly received."
Read the whole story of how Layanna's dream of buying a home for herself — and, more importantly, for her two sons — became reality.
If you're hoping to become a homeowner, too, you might benefit from the steps that made the difference for Layanna.
- Know that you can get a mortgage with a down payment as low as 3%. For example, Freddie Mac's Home Possible®.
- Do your research.
- Understand what's involved in buying and owning a home.
- Sharpen your financial management skills. Layanna took the CreditSmart® course taught in–person, earning the homebuyer education certificate required for certain low down payment mortgages, including Home Possible. CreditSmart also is available on–line; however, that version does not result in certification.
- Take advantage of programs that make it faster and easier to save for a down payment.
- Make the most of the array of resources available to eligible homebuyers, including state and local homebuyer–assistance programs. Learn more about down payments and down payment assistance.
- Don't assume that having student debt will prevent you from qualifying for a mortgage.
- Work with a team of knowledgeable, supportive, housing professionals.
Go to My Home by Freddie Mac® for information on the homebuying process, from end to end.
