When Lennette A. began her journey toward homeownership, she was filled with uncertainty. As a small business owner, she had heard countless stories about how difficult it could be to qualify for a mortgage. But more than that, she lacked confidence in the process itself.
“I just didn’t trust it,” she recalls. “I really needed someone to hold my hand and explain every step ‘this is for this, that is for that.’ NHS did exactly that for me.”
Lennette connected with NHS of Baltimore and was introduced to Veronica, her loan officer and guide through the entire process. Not only did NHS provide her with trusted, in-house lending services, but they also helped her understand a range of financial tools, including forgivable loans, local government grants, and the Federal Home Loan Bank program.
When traditional lenders questioned her income due to seasonal fluctuations in her business revenue, Veronica stepped in. “She drafted a letter that explained the seasonality of my business. That most of my income comes in quarters two and three,” Lennette explains. “That letter made all the difference. After that, my loan was approved.”
Throughout the process, Lennette felt fully supported. Whether it was early morning calls to review documents before a long day of classes or managing communications with real estate agents, Veronica was there. Setting the pace, providing reassurance, and going above and beyond.
One moment stands out clearly for Lennette: “We were on the phone at 7:30 in the morning going through next steps, and I realized, ‘Wow, I’m not doing this alone.’ That meant everything.”
Her advice to others considering NHS for their homeownership goals? “Be patient, be diligent, be organized. It’s a process, but it’s worth it. I thought it would take three months, but I started in November and closed on April 5th.”
Now a proud homeowner, Lennette is embracing a newfound sense of freedom. “Right now, someone’s working on my bathroom to make it just how I want. That freedom to live life the way you want is everything. Homeownership is freedom personified.”
She also wants others to know just how impactful NHS truly is. “When I first visited their website, I felt overwhelmed. But once I started interacting with the people behind the scenes, it all changed. NHS is really out here pushing people into homes in the city. They helped me believe we could do it; even when we were in the trenches. And we made it.”