Our Stories: Edith’s Homeownership Journey
Edith’s career began at the start of her home-owning journey. As she was going through this process for the first time, she was expected to know everything about W2s, paystubs, personal ID, high credit scores, money for down payments, and much more. After working with a realtor who assumed she would know everything about how to buy a home, she became determined to learn more about the process herself.
Edith instantly thought of her Latino community, the lack of education they are given in the process of buying a home in the U.S., and the added challenges that undocumented people will have to face when trying to buy a home. Not wanting others to go through the same home-buying experience as herself, Edith immediately started to look for resources, she took numerous classes and successfully became a real estate agent. She wanted to be a trusted voice and create a safe space for her community to ask questions and feel secure in the process of settling into a new home.
“I get a lot of clients who are first-time homebuyers and they are just like I was, they don't know where to start, and that's where I come in and advise them.”
Like many immigrants coming to the US, Edith and her mother came seeking a better life, one of safety and opportunity. She is very proud of her mother's accomplishments and now, as an adult and a mother herself, understands the immense bravery her mother had to make this decision. They arrived in the US when she was 10 years old and although Edith had siblings, she grew up without them. Her mother worked tirelessly to support her and her family back in Mexico. From her mother, she learned the value of hard work and being there for other people.
At the age of 14, Edith’s mother married a U.S. citizen, which granted them the ability to adjust their status from fully undocumented to legal permanent residents (green card holders). The significance of having a green card as an immigrant was clear to Edith as she went through the paperwork and proceedings, realizing that receiving a social security number would allow her to apply for a driver's license and open the door for so many employment opportunities.
After 22 years of being in the US, Edith had the chance to go back to Mexico to visit her family and reconnect with her roots. Leaving Mexico at such a young age, she feared that she would be out of touch with the customs and traditions of her hometown. However, after being surrounded by her family in Monterrey, she instantly felt blessed to be able to revisit and relearn her Mexican culture.
As a realtor, Edith has made it her mission to be a source of guidance and education for her clients, rather than just sell them a space. She cares more about the wants and needs of her clients and focuses on giving them the tools and support they need to make the right financial decisions for themselves as homeowners. Her dedication to helping her community and her own immigrant experience in the United States sets her apart from the rest.
Today, Edith is a naturalized citizen. She hopes to continue to spread knowledge throughout her community through her work and provide other immigrants like herself the opportunity to create a better life through home ownership.
“My golden rule in life is: do unto others as you would have them do unto you”
If you are interested in learning more about homeownership join us on Wednesday, May 29 at 6 PM for our IG Live conversation with Edith! You’ll be able to ask questions and learn more about buying your first home.
