A Head Start on Homeownership 

A Head Start on Homeownership 

At just 24 years old, Magic is setting his sights on a major life goal: homeownership.

As an EMT who also studied computer engineering, Magic has worked hard to get where he is today. He now wants to start the next chapter of his life and create something he can call his own. Although his goal is clear, for many, buying a home is out of reach. Milwaukee is in the midst of an affordable housing crisis where one in three renters are spending half or more of their income on housing. 

“The opportunity to work towards owning a home, it’s less feasible nowadays,” Magic said. “The cost of living is so expensive.”

Magic had known about Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity’s Affordable Homeownership program for some time, and when he felt like the timing was right, he applied. He is now building a brand-new home for himself, his future family, and his community.

“It’s just having a direct path to homeownership,” Magic said. “Having my own home in the city and contributing to the community. I thought where do I start? Am I too young for this? Do I have the finances? But the program helps you get there. It’s a good place to start. I like it here. I will build my family here. It will be where I call home.”

By building a place that he can call home, Magic is also building stability for himself and his future.

“Stability. That’s what I think everyone wants,” Magic said. “Maybe I will give the house to my children someday. This is what I call home. It’s a responsibility. There will be gratification knowing how stability can influence this place.”

Magic is also looking forward to the everyday moments and sense of pride that come with homeownership.

“I feel like it will be more of a sense of this is mine,” Magic said. “When I’m cutting the grass, it’ll feel a little different. I can also change this room and paint it. It’s that autonomy…I can find different furniture pieces. It would be my first time doing that. I want a gym, maybe in the basement, an office, and kids’ bedrooms someday.”

Becoming a homeowner is an incredible accomplishment at any age, and Magic is beating the statistics. At 24 years old, he is over a decade younger than the typical first-time homebuyer. Today, the typical first-time homebuyer is about 40 years old; in the 1980s the typical first-time homebuyer was in their late 20s (Source). 

As Magic imagines his future home, he sees a freshly mowed lawn, a gym in the basement, and kids running through the hallways. He knows that day will come and is already on his way to making that dream a reality.