Simon Arenal and his wife GregoriaCopto were intimidated by the ACTS rehab process and saw a total of four homes.
They were anxious until they found their home in the Clarke Square neighborhood and saw its potential.
They purchased a city-tax foreclosure for $3,500 and received a $25,000 home rehab loan through ACTS Lending.
ACTS realtor Tess Wynn said, at the time they closed on the property, it had three purchase offers.
“It was a very hot, competitive property,” Wynn said.
The family worked with Senior Rehab Counselor Ramon Guadarrama.
The home needed electrical work, had water damage on its first floor, had prior work done without a permit which needed to be redone, and needed an updated kitchen.
In addition, the family worked on the bathroom floors, cabinetry, and more. They loved their bathroom tile so much they used leftover tile for the table in their dining room.
In total, the rehab project on the first unit took them just three months.
Simon said owning a home had been his family’s dream.
“We’d been wanting to do this for a long time. Thank you to ACTS for helping us make it a reality,” Simon said.
While they are living in one part of the house, they are completing the rehab on the second part of the house. Simon says the second unit is where his brother will live.
‘We’re so happy to have something to take care of,” Simon said.
See the transition of repairs to the Arenal household below.
A dimly lit room with wood-paneled walls, cluttered with rolled-up carpets, debris, and trash bags near two windows with blinds letting in some light. The floor appears worn and dirty.
Dimly lit, cluttered kitchen with dark cabinets, wood-paneled walls, dirty countertops, an open cabinet door, a sink, cleaning supplies, and a broom. The floor appears worn, and a person stands partly visible in the doorway.
A dimly lit, empty room with wood-paneled walls, a single window, and a stained, bare floor showing signs of wear.
A pile of ripped carpet, broken wood, and debris fills a dimly lit room with wood-paneled walls and a small kitchen area in the background.
A white door with an oval window lets bright light into a narrow, dimly lit hallway with pale green walls and dark trim.
A partially renovated kitchen with detached cabinets, a countertop, tools, and construction materials scattered on the floor.
A two-story house with cream siding and brown trim features a wooden balcony railing on the second floor, and several windows on both floors.
Concrete steps with scattered small dark objects, possibly animal droppings, lead up to a sidewalk. A red wooden railing borders the grass on the right side of the image.
Two-story light green house with dark red trim, wooden porch, and steps. There is a small attic window and an air conditioner in one upstairs window. The sky is overcast, and part of a tree branch is visible above.
A sunlit living room with a brown sofa, glass coffee table holding a plant, patterned curtains, wall art, and a window air conditioner. Remote lies on the sofa.
A cozy corner with a black sofa, gray and red cushions, pet bed, light blue walls decorated with family photos, a small lamp, and sunlight streaming in.
Small bedroom with teal walls, sunlight streaming through a window with sheer curtains, a dresser with various items, and a single bed featuring plush toys and a polka dot blanket. Photos hang on the wall above the bed.
A kitchen with wooden cabinets, a white gas stove, a blender, and various utensils on the countertops. The floor is tiled, and pots and cups hang on the wall.
Small bathroom with a toilet, sink, cabinet, and a shower with a blue sea-themed curtain. A window lets in natural light, and a white shelf holds a bottle above the toilet.
A metal lamp with an ornate square base sits on a tiled table with a blue textured runner. The edge of a chair and a napkin holder are visible on the left side of the image.
A built-in wooden cabinet with glass doors displays dishes and bottles. Below are drawers and cupboards. The counter holds a candle, figurine, framed image, and small items. Hardwood floor and an adjacent room are visible.
Dimly lit bathroom with white tiles, a small sink cabinet, toilet, blue bathtub, showerhead, a mirror, and frosted windows. The room appears old and slightly worn.
