Ivory Lee is a registered nurse who spends time with new mothers and babies in the maternity ward. When she learned that she was going to be a mother herself, her first thought was to have a place for her family. Although she always wanted to become a homeowner, she never thought it would be possible or this soon. With a baby on the way, she knew that the time was now to strive toward homeownership. “I wanted to have a place for when my child was born… a place they could call home,” says Lee. She began working with her realtor in her hometown of Mobile, Alabama to look for houses. “I went to my bank for a loan and did not like the options they had available,” said Lee. Lee’s realtor put her in contact with a mortgage loan officer at Hope Credit Union. “I called HOPE, and the loan officer went to work immediately… I just remember thinking, is this really happening?” said Lee.
HOPE approved Lee for a 30-year fixed rate loan through the Affordable Home Program. Lee was overjoyed to close on her first home in October 2024. “It’s a great feeling to be able to decorate the house and have family over for the holidays,” Lee said. She enjoys her new neighbors and community.