For years, Samantha dreamed of owning a home. Like many Americans, she faced obstacles that made homeownership seemed out of reach, particularly a long battle with her credit. But during National Homeownership Month, Samantha is celebrating a milestone she once thought might never happen, becoming a homeowner at Birchwood.

Today, Samantha and her daughter Jessica are settling into their new home, enjoying more space, building equity, and creating a future in a community they already loved.

"It was really surprising and exciting," said Samantha. "We were really surprised and happy to become homeowners."

Samantha had been renting at Birchwood and appreciated the sense of community she found there. As she began thinking about her future, she decided she wanted more than renting. She wanted a place to truly call her own.

That decision came with a commitment.

"I buckled down and really started paying attention to my credit score," Samantha said.

She focused on improving her financial health by consistently making on-time car payments and paying down her student loan debt. Slowly but surely, her credit score improved, and the dream of homeownership began to feel possible.

At the same time, Samantha wasn't just looking to buy a home—she wanted to upgrade to a larger home that would better fit her family's needs.

Then she found it.

The moment she walked home, she fell in love.

But the road to homeownership was far from easy.

Samantha applied for financing and was denied by one lender. Then another. Then a third.

After multiple setbacks, she began to wonder if homeownership simply wasn't meant to happen right now.

"It was discouraging," she admitted. "I really started thinking this dream wasn't going to become a reality."

Then came the phone call that changed everything.

Birchwood Community Manager Brandie Crane called with unexpected news. A fourth lender, Triad Financial Services, had approved Samantha's application.

"I was in total shock," Samantha said.

Soon after, Samantha and Jessica attended their closing, signed the paperwork, received the keys to their new home, and officially became homeowners.

Today, they're enjoying the extra space and the peace of mind that comes with ownership.

For Samantha, the journey required patience, determination, and financial discipline. Looking back, she says every challenge was worth it.

"At one point, homeownership felt so far out of reach," she said. "Now that we're here, it makes all the hard work worth it."

Samantha's success story is exactly why Roots Management Group created the Establish Your Roots (EYR) Program.

The program helps qualified residents transition from renting to homeownership by rewarding consistent, on-time payments with credits that can be applied toward purchasing a home.

According to Daniel Roacho, Executive Vice President of Central Operations at Roots Management Group, the program was designed to help residents overcome one of the biggest barriers to homeownership.

"One of the biggest barriers to homeownership is saving a down payment," said Roacho. "EYR helps bridge that gap by allowing residents to earn credits toward the purchase of their home based on their payment history. It's a way of turning a resident's track record into an opportunity for ownership."

Roacho says stories like Samantha's demonstrate exactly what he envisioned when launching the program several years ago.

"One of the most rewarding parts of EYR has been seeing residents achieve homeownership who never thought it would be possible," he said. "The stories that stand out most are first-time homebuyers, single parents creating stability for their families, and residents who spent years believing homeownership was out of reach."

Homeownership remains an important goal for many families because it creates stability, helps build long-term financial security, and provides an opportunity to build equity over time.

"Homeownership represents more than a transaction," Roacho said. "It represents stability, pride, and a sense of belonging."

For residents who believe they may never be able to afford a home, Roacho encourages them to explore the opportunities available through manufactured housing and programs like Establish Your Roots.

"Don't assume homeownership is out of reach," he said. "Explore your options, ask questions, and take a serious look at manufactured housing communities. You may be surprised to discover that the dream of homeownership is closer than you think."

As National Homeownership Month continues, Samantha's story serves as a powerful reminder that perseverance pays off. Through determination, financial discipline, and support from programs designed to create pathways to ownership, a dream that once felt impossible became reality.

Now, when Samantha and Jessica walk through the front door of their home at Birchwood, they're not renters anymore.

They're homeowners.