I moved out of my parents’ home when I was 18 years old.
Sure, I left for college (Indiana University) but it was 200+ miles away. Was I
ready for the move? Perhaps yes and then again perhaps no! I had what I called
learning moments that shaped my being. For example I learned that if I don’t
wash my clothing correctly, everything will be pink (and it was for a minute)
which lead me to appreciate having a Goodwill store near a college campus! I
assure you, to this day-Wardy knows how to wash clothes!!
Any who, my topic today is about believing in one’s self!
Fast forward to the time I wanted to purchase a home. It’s important to know
that I had co-signed for 2 family members on vehicles (never again) and of
course they defaulted on the loans. This impacted my financial portfolio, to
where most lenders were unable or unwilling to work with ya boi! In fact, one
man laughed in my face and said I had 2 options as far as he could see.
1)
Pay 20% down at 13% APR for 30 years
2)
Adjust to apartment life because I am stuck.
He went as far as saying: “if someone is crazy enough to
give me a loan that he would eat the paper work.” As challenging as that was to
think of him actually eating the paper work because I proved him wrong, I
passed! He wasn’t my focus or motivation. My kids were! I was a divorced father
of two young girls who thought I could do no wrong and gave me unconditional
love. I wanted them to grow up in house like I did, so I had to make it happen.
I think I applied at 13 lenders with the notion of being treated like a person with great credit and $300 for down payment. After several months of on time bill payments and lots of prayer, I found a lender who was nice and willing to work with me. He said he could possibly meet my requirements but it would be a long shot. I had no choice but to try. He asked for tons of paper work and explanations within a 2 week window. I gave him everything he requested in 24 hours. He was impressed and said he saw my determination. He pulled some serious rabbits out of his lenders hat because not only did he get me approved for $130K, he also go it with no money down and 4.5% apr! House payment was $605 a month compared to that $ 945 in rent. That savings allowed me to convince another lender to give me a car loan for a beautiful black on black Saab (my dream car). I closed on my home and picked up my car on the same day.
The point of my story is simply this:
Nothing can stop a determined man, because the mind is a
powerful tool. If we tell the mind- this
is what we want 2 accomplish, it will come up with ways to make it happen. IE,
I want to loose weight (mind will come up with better eating habits or diet
plans) or I don’t want to get up for work (mind will say it’s cold outside and
traffic is thick and you have 89 hours of pto available. In my case, I wanted a
house and hearing No was not an option.
I was proud of myself for not giving up, because I have
learned that an obstacle is an opportunity to use strengths I didn’t even know
I had.
To this day I am still a home owner. Thank you Jehovah for
your underserved kindness.
I am WarD……………….
