After nearly a decade in a downtown apartment, the Thompsons, parents of three young children, felt it was time for a change. Their city space had served them well, but with growing kids and the desire for more room to learn and play, the dream of owning a home became increasingly important.
Their homebuying journey began in earnest last February. Eager and hopeful, they quickly found themselves in a competitive housing market, submitting offers and facing the emotional highs and lows that come with it. After 10 offers and countless viewings, they began to lose hope.
Adding to the challenge, an unexpected car accident forced them to use some of their down payment savings to purchase a new vehicle. It was a significant setback and made the prospect of homeownership feel even more distant.
But then, a much-needed sign of hope: they received a phone call that they had been selected as the recipients for the Parade of Homes’ First-Time Homebuyer $10K Giveaway.
This initiative, part of the Parade of Homes’ commitment to expanding homeownership opportunities, offers $10,000 in down payment assistance to qualified first-time buyers.
“Winning felt like confirmation — like, okay, this really is going to happen,” they recalled.
With the added financial support, their search picked up again. After, months of looking and countless showings, they found their perfect home just one block away from the very first house they had put an offer on. This time, it was meant to be.
Homeownership has brought them more than just square footage. It’s brought peace of mind, room to grow, and a place that finally feels like theirs. There’s now a dedicated schoolroom, a home office, and space for the kids to run and play. The simple things they’d hoped for all along.
The Thompson family has been Parade of Homes regulars for over a decade, often visiting the homes just to dream and gather inspiration.
“We’re vision people,” they laughed. “We’ve entered the giveaway before, just figuring hey, why not? And this time it worked out. It came at the perfect moment.”
Now, with keys in hand and their vision becoming reality, the Thompsons are soaking up all the joy that comes with finally being home.
“Homeownership means a safer space for our kids and something we can truly call ours.”
