Couple finds forever home 15 years after loss

This paid piece is sponsored by LSS.

The homebuying process is full of emotion, from excitement to stress, from falling in love with a home to second-guessing it entirely. However, the gravity of this decision is even more profound for families like Shanna’s, who aren’t just seeking a new house — they’re aiming to reestablish a home they once lost.

During the peak of the 2008 recession, Shanna and her husband were forced to declare bankruptcy. They had endured a marital separation, accumulated significant debt from their rental property and struggled to turn a profit on their real estate investments. In the end, they lost both their investment properties and their family home.

“We had our family intact, and we knew we could have lost it. Nothing else really mattered,” Shanna said. “We found a place to raise our family, and we’d been perfectly content renting up until these last few years.”

Renting had served the family well while they prioritized raising and homeschooling their children. Once their kids had grown up, Shanna and her husband began to yearn for a place to call their own. They saved diligently before embarking on the journey of homeownership.

But a lot had changed in 15 years.

“My husband is 55, and I’m 52. At this point in our lives, we feel a sense of urgency. The housing market isn’t favorable for buyers, interest rates are high, and we don’t have 30 years to pay down a mortgage. It’s much harder now, and we’re essentially starting over.”

The couple met with a bank to work out a plan and finalize their financing. Because it had been 15 years, Shanna and her husband qualified as first-time homebuyers, which required them to complete a Homebuyer Education class offered through the LSS Center for Financial Resources.

“I’d never heard of the class,” she said. “Since we’d purchased a home before, I wouldn’t have even thought about attending. It was much more helpful than we thought it would be.”

The first thing Shanna and her husband noticed was how approachable the class felt. Laura, the class facilitator, carried an ease that made the process feel straightforward.

“It was common sense and easy to follow, and she explained things clearly,” Shanna said.

The class covered topics ranging from credit history to home inspections to navigating the offer process. Guest presenters, including a Realtor and a banker, provided in-depth insights into homebuying and ownership.

“The presenters covered the logistics; they explained the details of the closing process and the details of the paperwork you’re getting and signing. Laura was very inviting of questions too.”

Shanna also emphasized the benefit of attending the class alongside her husband. Getting the same information together, she explained, gave them a shared understanding and helped them communicate confidently and effectively.

“It gave us a better perspective on the closing process and what to look for in the paperwork. It felt empowering.”

Shanna didn’t anticipate the flood of emotions that resurfaced the day they made the offer on the home, she explained.

“There was a level of fear about entering a long-term financial commitment, especially knowing that many circumstances beyond our control could change everything. I had to be certain this was the right decision. Walking through those emotions is part of the redemptive full circle.”

That redemptive circle, as it happened, was made complete with a half-dozen flower beds.

“There was something I don’t think I ever said out loud. It was tucked away in the corners of my mind, but I imagined how wonderful it would be to find a house with a perennial garden where someone had poured their love. A garden where I could pick up where she left off. And that’s exactly what happened.”

The day they made an offer on their perennial home, Shanna walked through a gauntlet of emotions. “At one point, we thought someone else would get the house, and I almost felt relieved, even though we wanted it. But a few hours later, I got a text: ‘You got it.’ And I thought, ‘Well, God, this must be the house for us.’ The sellers had chosen us over higher offers from four other buyers.”

“We got the best deal on the market. I don’t know how we managed to get that house at that price, but we did.

“It’s not just a house — it’s our home, our shelter, our family. It’s more than a house.”

Looking for a place to call Home Sweet Home? Contact LSS Center for Financial Resources today. 

LSS has educational courses and financial tools for individuals and families to be successful renters or homeowners. The Center for Financial Resources provides guidance that will help you sort out your unique financial priorities. We offer tools, tips and expertise to achieve successful homeownership and improve money-management skills, as well as manage and pay off debt.

For help attaining your financial goals, whether it be buying a home, getting out of debt or another financial dream, contact the LSS Center for Financial Resources today.