How Vanessa Guster led her family towards homeownership in the Rufus King neighborhood.
pass the torch (idiom): to hand over a responsibility, duty or knowledge to a successor
When Vanessa first started her home buying journey she sought out the advisory of Acts Housing. Acts introduced her to a City of Milwaukee program that offered forgivable loans for a city owned property. She would go on to purchase a home from the city and rehab it. This is where she would raise her children and her now three grandchildren.
“We have grown so much in that home. I have three grandchildren now. When I purchased it I was having a child myself. 12 years later we’re still growing in this house, it’s still ours”
Vanessa’s decision to become a homeowner had an immense impact on her family. Her daughter, Michaela Guster, recalls when her mom bought their home and how she was eager to follow in her footsteps.
“Ever since she purchased our home 12 years ago this has always been my goal: to purchase a city owned property, rehab it, and have it for me and my family. Ever since she’s done it I’ve wanted to do it.”
Michaela saw her mom go through this process and was encouraged by her success. In May of this year, Michaela closed on her first property in the Rufus King neighborhood, minutes from her mothers house and the family owned business, “The Daq Shack“.
In making the decision to become a homeowner Vanessa has built something that can be passed onto the next generation. And in teaching and encouraging her children to become homeowners she has given her children the tools to create family stability, be engaged in their community, and preserve wealth.
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