NeighborWorks member helps divorced father and son find new home

The Hawaii HomeOwnership Center (HHOC) helped Terry Visperas take the first steps toward homeownership for himself and his son, Nainoa.

"It's hard to realize I have come so far in two years," says Visperas. "Recently, I had to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming. It seems like only yesterday that I was newly divorced and personally lost. My son and I had to move in with my parents in Makakilo for shelter and to get my life back in alignment."

One of the main challenges Visperas faced as a result of moving back in with his parents was the additional two hours per day spent in the car for the daily commutes both to work and Nainoa's school.

"My son and I left at 5:30 in the morning to make it to his 7:30 class. If we arrived in town early, it was a bonus! In the afternoon, it was more of the same: lots and lots of traffic! By the time we got back home to Makakilo it was 8 p.m."

During this period of transition, Visperas learned of a coworker who was participating in homeownership programs offered by Hawaii HomeOwnership Center, and was intrigued by his friend's growing excitement about his progress in the homebuyer-education class. After his friend successfully completed the classes and purchased a three-bedroom home in Maili, Visperas was inspired to take action.

"Everyone who was involved with me at HHOC was and continues to be exceptional," Visperas says. "They provided some of the best resources to help me with my down-payment options, and understand my budget and how to manage my money. They even brought in top-notch speakers like mortgage specialists and real-estate agents for their workshops."

Today, Visperas is a proud graduate of Hawaii HomeOwnership Center's homebuyer-education programs and is thrilled to have recently purchased his own condo.

"I'm in the thick of things doing some minor renovations before I move in, but I already feel a sense of character, strength, inner security and personal pride," he says.

Visperas kept his homebuying journey a secret from Nainoa, since he wanted to surprise him with the gift of a place they could call their own. He planned to do a "big reveal" of the newly renovated condo (complete with a blindfold over his son's eyes to add to the excitement). He later opted out of blindfolding him, but instead surprised him with a welcome-home banner as he led him into their condo.