From Dream to Doorstep: How Jequan Secured the Keys to His Perfect Home

Jequan closed on a home for his family in May 2025.

Jequan came to LUCHA on a mission: to buy his first home before he turned 30. For him, it wasn’t just about signing papers or crossing a milestone. It was about giving his wife and two young daughters a place they could finally call their own—a place where birthdays, first steps, and family dinners would belong to them, not to a landlord.

But the dream felt daunting. In 2024, the median age for first-time homebuyers was nearly a decade older than Jequan, and the weight of that statistic wasn’t lost on him. How could he, a young father still juggling bills and responsibilities, beat the odds? Still, he carried with him a determination rooted in love: he wanted his girls to grow up with stability, in a home where their futures felt secure.

That determination led him to LUCHA in 2023. A friend had told him about our first-time homebuyer workshops, and though he wasn’t sure what to expect, Jequan signed up. Sitting in the classroom, he began to see the path forward more clearly: from understanding mortgages and negotiating with realtors, to tapping into financial relief programs that could bring a home within reach.

By the end of the class, Jequan realized he wasn’t as close to buying as he had hoped. His credit needed work. His confidence needed strengthening. But instead of giving up, he leaned in—and turned to LUCHA for one-on-one counseling.

LUCHA holds free certification workshops for prospective homebuyers twice a month.

That’s when he met Guille, the counselor who would become his guide and his anchor through the ups and downs of the process. “Honestly, she was like a mother that guided me,” Jequan said. “Anytime I had questions or was confused, she was just a phone call away. She’s the best person to have in a time crunch like that—she’ll explain everything and really make time for you.”

While he had enough money saved for a down payment, his time in homebuyer counseling showed him how much stronger his negotiating position would be with an improved credit score and additional certifications. Based on the financial plan Jequan designed with LUCHA, within a year, he was ready to start his search in earnest.

"When I took that first class, the scariest thing was taking on such a big loan-- over a quarter million dollars in my own name is a serious risk. But over that next year, I got myself together and knew I had to take it. I thought to myself: if I fail, I fail. But luckily, LUCHA didn't let me fail."

With ongoing guidance, he started touring homes in his price range, and soon fell in love with a classic Chicago bungalow in Washington Heights: a 6-bed, 2-bath beauty that was the perfect fit for his family.

Jequan and his family are happily settled into their new place in Washington Heights.

It was out of the range of the loan he'd been pre-approved for by over $50,000-- but with his new knowledge of the system, he felt confident he could close the gap to secure the perfect place. Jequan told us that knowing every person's role in the homebuying process made it possible for him to act quickly and wisely. He contacted his mortgage lender directly and asked for the increase. On the strength of their working relationship, he was quickly approved.

Three weeks later-- exactly one month before his 30th birthday-- he closed on the bungalow.

Jequan told us that ringing in his 30th with all his friends and family in his new home was nothing short of magic.

A spacious yard to host family gatherings was a big sell for Jequan.

"It was a big get-together. It was so nice to show what I'd made happen for my family. I had people there who saw this little boy turn to a grown man with two daughters, a wife, and a beautiful home. It was amazing to see the smiles on everyone's faces. Now they can't stay away. Every weekend, every time there's something going on, they come to my house."

To anyone wondering if owning might be within reach, Jequan says to take the leap and see what you can make happen.

“My advice to anyone starting this process: educate yourself on every part of it. Take the risk, ask questions, and use all the resources available. The more you know, the smoother it will go.”

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Want to enroll in a first-time homebuyer's workshop? Check out our calendar of upcoming classes here.