A Second Chance at the Home They Almost Lost
Mauricio and Alejandra Suarez found a newly built home through Opportunity Home’s Westside Reinvestment Initiative (WRI) that seemed right for their family. It offered more space, nearby schools and a convenient location for Alejandra’s commute to work.
But when the couple attended an open house, they learned another buyer was scheduled to close on the property that same week.
They thought they had missed their chance.
Two weeks later, the same house reappeared on Zillow. The previous sale had fallen through, giving them another opportunity to purchase the home.
“We called [Gabriela] and we said, ‘Hey, look at Zillow’,” Mauricio recalled, referring to the person who had assisted them during their initial visit to the property.
A Home That Meets Their Needs
For the Suarezes, finding a larger home meant having enough room for everyone in the family.
In their previous two-bedroom home on the Northwest Side, Mauricio, who is retired and has a disability, slept in the living room alongside their two youngest children. Their teenager occupied one bedroom, while Alejandra, who works overnight shifts, used the other.
Affordability was equally important. With limited household income, the couple hoped to find a home that could accommodate their family without placing additional strain on their finances.
Support Through the Homebuying Process
Over the next three to four months, the couple worked through loan requirements, paperwork and repeated requests for documentation. The back-and-forth became frustrating at times, and Alejandra considered giving up.
“She was almost like, ‘Ah, that’s it,’ because we had to do stuff again and again,” Mauricio said. “But I told her, ‘No, let’s keep going. Let’s keep going.’”
They also received encouragement from Gabriela and Beatriz, who helped guide them through the process. Mauricio recalled Gabriela reassuring them when the paperwork became overwhelming.
More Room for Everyday Life
The couple ultimately purchased the three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home, giving their family more room to spread out and a large backyard where the children can play soccer.
Having more than one bathroom is another meaningful change from their previous living arrangements.
“We were all fighting for the bathroom for a long time,” Mauricio said. “It’s a real relief that we can all have a bathroom.”
The move also reconnects Mauricio with the Westside, where he grew up and where his father still lives. The neighborhood is familiar to him, making the family’s new home part of a community he has known since childhood.
Despite gaining more space, the family’s monthly housing costs remain close to what they previously paid in rent. Mauricio estimates their new payment is approximately $40 to $50 more per month.
“This was really a godsend for us in our situation,” he said. “And I think a lot of people are in our situation right now.”