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Merkia Gaston, a 50-year-old single mom of three, spent her entire adult life renting. Often hopping from apartment to apartment, she long felt like the ability to own a home was out of her reach. She had conversations with a handful of banks over the years, but always left discouraged. She needed a financial partner to invest a little time in her future, one that would believe in her as much as she believed in herself. After connecting with Southern Bancorp’s mortgage division, she had finally found the partner she was looking for.

Merkia had a little money saved up, but not enough to cover the downpayment and closing costs. The CDFI’s mortgage team took Southern Bancorp’s patient, mission-focused approach and helped Merkia qualify for a downpayment assistance program to remove those barriers from her path, as well as a flexible first-time mortgage to open the door completely. Now, Merkia is proud to call herself a homeowner for the first time in her life. And after seeing their mom accomplish this dream, her children are now empowered to believe that they can also walk this path.

“I’m investing in my own home, and I’m investing in myself.” – Merkia Gaston

Link to video here.