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NeighborWorks Columbus, GA

Ms. Coleman’s success story!

Ms. Coleman is a mother to two young children, ages 3 and 9, and she also is caretaker to her father who is an amputee. She was living in an apartment where her kids shared a room, and it was her goal to find a home that she could give everyone their own space.
She started with NeighborWorks in the homeownership program in August 2019. In February, she decided to try a different route and ended up losing money in the process. She ended up having to live with her mother for two months after her apartment lease ended.
We showed her a newly renovated home in North Highland, and she loved it. It was her goal to get settled in a home before school started.
Ultimately, Ms. Coleman is a proud new homeowner, and she said she also gained valuable knowledge on budgeting and money management that will set her up for a lifetime of success!

The Dream Covid-19 Couldn’t Stop

When Jessica Smith came to NeighborWorks Columbus last summer, she was a woman on a mission. A mission to transition from her overpriced rental property into a home of her own.

This would not be an easy task, but she was willing to do whatever it took. After meeting with our homeownership counselor, Ms. Smith was informed that she’d need to improve her credit before being approved to purchase a home.

She attended our financial fitness courses to enhance her budgeting & debt management skills. Ms. Smith also attended our homeownership workshops to learn the ins & outs of the homebuying process.

All of her hard work finally paid off when Ms. Smith closed on a beautiful 3-bedroom 2-bath home this past April. “It feels great being able to call something my own. It makes me feel accomplished. I feel like if I can own a home, I can do anything I put my mind to,” she said.

Cozy Place to Quarantine

I have never been able to afford to live somewhere my daughter could go outside and play,” said Angela Murphy. “I have a home with a front yard, a backyard that is fenced in, and all at a price I can afford. We love our house.”

 

Angela, single mother to a 5-year-old daughter, moved in March to a NeighborWorks Columbus rental.

 

Having a quality home is important always, but Angela is especially thankful to have a cozy place to spend the days of Covid-19 social distancing, which she is taking very seriously as her daughter has asthma.

 

Angela is a Circle Leader in Open Door Community House’s Circles program; through this program, individuals work over 18 months on goals to help them overcome generational poverty. Safe, fit, affordable housing was one of Angela’s goals, which brings her one step closer to changing the trajectory of life for her and her daughter.

Tips to maximize your tax refund

For many, tax season means a big refund check is right around the corner. While it can be tempting to run out and treat yourself, we have a few tips that can help you make the best of your refund.

  1. Say no to early refunds.

First things first, when it comes to filing your taxes, do not use a tax service that offers you an advanced refund. This type of service will take a huge portion of your refund check. There are several places you can file your taxes for free or very low cost.

Locally, Goodwill offers free tax filing services at several locations. Several online tax filing companies offer no or low cost e-file options that are user friendly and convenient. Don’t let someone else take a chunk of your hard-earned money. In this case, waiting a couple weeks longer for your check literally pays off.

  1. Pay down debt

Using your tax refund to pay on existing debt or collections is a great financial move. Credit card loans have an average 16% interest rate, which can make unpaid debts multiply quickly. If you have other loans, like car payments or student loans, you can use your refund to help reduce your overall debt and the length of time you have to pay loans. Before you make a large sum payment, however, remember to look at the terms of your loan and make sure there is no penalty for early payoffs.

  1. Build an emergency fund

Experts say that ideally, people should have 3-6 months of income saved, but any savings is better than none at all. Financial advisers like Dave Ramsay suggest at least a $1,000 emergency fund to have for accidents or a rainy day.

  1. Save for a down payment on a home

A home is one of the best investments you can make, so if homeownership is one of your goals, start saving for a down payment now. If you qualify for any down payment assistance, you can use the money on any closing costs or repairs or renovations you may need to make. If you’re not sure if you qualify for a home yet, give us a call and we’ll walk with you through the process!

  1. Give your home some TLC

If you already are a homeowner, a tax refund could go a long way in making some home repairs or improvements. Tax money could go a long way toward big repairs or even just little improvements that could enhance your quality of life. Replace a leaky faucet. Update lighting. Service your heat and air conditioning. You get the idea.

Success Story: Section 8 to Homeownership

Carneshia Burston was a woman on a mission.

As a single mother of four, Carneshia knew early on that it was ‘on her’ to provide a way of life and a solid foundation for her children. Armed with determination and a steady income, Carneshia completed the homebuyer education course through the Section 8 to HomeOwnership Program”, a collaboration between NeighborWorks and the Housing Authority of Columbus.

Carneshia closed on her three bedroom, two bath, home that her children helped pick out. Ms. Burston has become an unofficial spokesperson for NeighborWorks, recommending the Homebuyer Education program to her friends, one of whom has recently closed on her home too.

Ms. Carneshia Burston is proof that determination and diligence makes dreams come true.

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