Standing on the stage at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, diploma in hand, Zachary felt the weight of all he had worked for. After three years of rigorous study, long internship hours and navigating the uncertainties of a pandemic, law school was finally behind him. The moment was filled with pride and celebrations with friends and family but also the reality of what came next—student loan payments just six months away.
Thanks to a merit scholarship and his father’s post-9/11 GI Bill, Zachary had been able to reduce the financial burden, but challenges remained. By the time he and his wife, Marie, completed their degrees, they were managing a combined debt of over $150,000. Even with a steady job as a municipal prosecutor, the cost of rent, utilities and everyday expenses stretched their budget thin. When hospital bills from their first child’s birth added to the mix, they knew they needed a new plan.
They took control of their finances, setting a strict budget and tackling their smallest debts first. In six months, they had paid off their credit cards. Determined to keep moving forward, they made bold decisions—they moved to a different community, downsizing to a smaller apartment and selling a car to eliminate their auto loan. By November 2024, only student loans remained and their financial outlook had transformed.
With their second child on the way, they knew it was time to find a more stable and spacious home. Carrying groceries up three flights of stairs and navigating life without outdoor space no longer fit their growing family’s needs. They crunched the numbers and realized homeownership was possible—but they wanted to do it wisely, ensuring their new home would provide stability without financial strain.
Their research led them to the Section 184 Guaranteed Loan, a federal program designed to support American Indian homebuyers. With lower down payment requirements and no private mortgage insurance, it was an ideal fit. Pre-approved for a mortgage, they found a modest three-bedroom home in Broken Arrow. Their offer was accepted and everything seemed to be falling into place—until an unexpected hurdle appeared. Their income was just $500 over the limit for a different down-payment assistance program, and switching loan types would add costs they hoped to avoid.
Rather than letting this setback derail them, they kept searching for solutions. A late-night online search led them to REI Oklahoma’s Down Payment Assistance, a program with different eligibility requirements. A quick phone call confirmed they qualified, and with REI Oklahoma’s support, they secured the funds needed for the down payment —allowing them to step into homeownership without depleting their savings.
When asked what they liked about owning their own home, Zachary and Marie shared, “We enjoy the freedom we have with our property. Although maintaining a home is a great responsibility, being able to change things around the house to suit our needs is a great advantage over renting.”
Beyond that, they appreciate the space and privacy homeownership provides. “We are able to roughhouse and play with the kids, watch a movie with the speakers turned up a bit or close the bedroom doors for a bit of peace and quiet.”
As for whether they would recommend REI Oklahoma’s Down Payment Assistance program, their answer was a clear yes. “We would recommend REI Oklahoma to others because the qualifications and requirements are clear, REI works with many different lenders and loan types and the process was extremely smooth.”
For their growing family, owning a home had once felt like a distant goal. But through perseverance, resourcefulness and the right support, they turned that dream into reality. Today, their home is more than a place to live—it’s a foundation for their future.
