Couple Purchases First Home in Marcy
Pictured from left: The HomeOwnership Center’s 2013 Homeowners of the Year, Kevin and Dollysa Prosser, are pictured in their new Marcy home with HOC Chief Executive Officer Janice Forte and Home Advisor Wendy Clarke.
(Utica, NY – June 3, 2013) Former Utica renters Kevin and Dollysa Prosser have been named Homeowners of the Year by UNHS NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center (HOC) in Utica. Their recognition came after nearly 18 months of disciplined financial preparation, education classes, and counseling by staff from HOC.
The Prossers first approached The HomeOwnership Center for homebuyer assistance in November of 2011. They wanted to plan for owning a home in hopes of raising a family and providing outdoor space for their pets. Like many young couples their age, they knew they had to address some credit issues and save for a down payment, but they weren’t sure how.
HOC Home Advisor Wendy Clarke, who has been extensively trained by HUD and NeighborWorks America, guided the couple through evaluating their current financial situation and setting attainable economic goals. They worked together to repair credit deficiencies, take a HomeBuyer Education class, and set up a First Home Club savings program. First Home Club is a local bank-sponsored savings program that rewards potential home purchase customers by matching dollars saved over a specific time period, usually 12-18 months.
“They came in to determine if it would even be possible to start saving for their first home. We got them on track with education and counseling, and they grew to be very disciplined savers,” said Clarke. “Eventually they were able to afford a substantial down payment and get a great rate on a mortgage because of their improved credit scores.”
The Prossers successfully purchased their first home in Marcy in March 2013. They are being recognized by HOC because of their proactive and disciplined personal financial efforts. “Kevin and Dollysa really set a great example not only for young couples who want to get ahead,” said Clarke, “but for aspiring homeowners of any age and financial standing.”
The honor is extended each year to persons or families who have overcome financial and socio-economic barriers to achieving the American dream of HomeOwnership. The award is made during National NeighborWorks Week, sponsored by NeighborWorks America, and this year taking place from June 1-7.
Chartered in 1979 by NeighborWorks America, UNHS NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center promotes housing and community development through programs such as Home Buyer and Financial Literacy Education, counseling, housing rehabilitation, and foreclosure prevention. HOC provides services in Oneida, Herkimer, Madison, Fulton, Otsego and Montgomery counties. For more information about First Home Club or other services provided by the agency, area residents may call 315-724-4197, Monday through Thursday.