With a clipboard in hand and a smile lighting up her face, Ayofemi stepped out into the sunshine at Old Poole Place. Today was a special milestone—her lot selection day.
"I'm really excited and at the same time, it's a lot to choose from, you know?" Ayofemi shared. "It's my first home. They're all beautiful homes. It's just going to be what's the right fit for me and my family"
Lot selection is a pivotal moment in a Habitat homebuyer’s journey, taking place after they’ve completed fifty sweat equity hours. This is when they get to explore various neighborhoods and floor plans, tailoring their choice to their unique budget, family size, and preferences.
"It's kind of that first real step that makes this dream a reality," said Jamie Pennington, our construction administrator. "They are able to put eyes on what could become theirs so it's very exciting."
As Ayofemi and Jamie wandered through different floor plans—some still under construction—Jamie painted pictures of the homes’ futures. “This will be the bathroom,” she pointed out, “and a light fixture will go here.” It was easy to envision the finished homes, but the big question was: which one would Ayofemi picture as her own?
"The commute is what matters most to me," Ayofemi explained. "I want to be a good drive from my job. And then, just comfort. Comfort within the neighborhood and community."
After the tour, Ayofemi will have a week to submit her top preferences for both neighborhood and floor plan to the Habitat Wake team. From there, a random selection process will determine her future home.
"I like the way we handle the selection," says Angel Johnson from homeowner services. "It's fair. We don't choose for them, it's based on their preferences and then it's randomized. I always tell homebuyers that everyone truly ends up in the house that is meant for them."
After the tour, when asked what she was most excited for, Ayofemi thought about it for a moment. "I work hard. Every single day. And it just feels good to put your money towards something that is actually going to be yours."
We're excited to see what home Ayofemi selects into, and are eager to support her through the rest of her journey to homeownership. If you'd like to discover more stories like this or get involved with our work, please visit our website for more information. www.habitatwake.org