My Journey to Home Ownership - Disabled in Michigan
Michimich.com/10193908

INKSTER, Mich. - Michimich -- Kristen Milefchik, Vaccine Advocate, of the Disability Rights Michigan, beams with joy after teaming up with 5th Third Bank to close on her first home.

I talked to other loan officers previously, but I wasn't sure I was getting the best deal. When I went to the homeowner's seminar, it was informative and talked a lot about the process, finding a home, the home inspection, and finding the real estate agent and getting the appraisal done, and how to do your budget to make sure you can afford the payments.

I just really thought that the presenter, Samual Blue, from 5^th Third Bank, seemed like somebody would be a good person to work with on finding a home and getting a loan.  He seemed trustworthy and really interested in helping people.  That it was more than a job thing, it was more of a personal interest to him to help me.  He ended up being my loan officer.  He looked for down payment assistance programs that I would qualify for, and I also got a real estate agent.  It really takes a team to walk you through everything especially if you have a lot of questions, like I did.  He would always answer my questions and this team were advocates for me.  Sam Blue III, CRA Specialist | MLO, Fifth Third Bank  | 27255 Lahser  |  Southfiled, MI 48034, Direct: 248.353.4931 |  Fax: 844.795.8083 | NMLS #2060370

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I wasn't able to save up using a regular savings account because I have to put my savings into a Mi-Able account.  The MI-Able account for disabled people, is managed by 5^th Third Bank so when it came time to write the check from closing so I just transferred the money from my MI-ABLE account (https://savewithable.com/mi/home.html) into my checking account.  I can use the Mi-Able account to save up for the expenses.  There are a lot of things that you have to work on before you go apply for a loan.  I had great credit but wanted to work on it.  I used the budget worksheet and called Sam numerous of times to ask him questions about the appraisal or he also was looking for any and all down payment assistance programs.  I did get a down payment assistance through 5^th Third Bank.  Watch this video: https://youtu.be/HJiO5h1a7Nc.



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I closed on the house in August of 2022 and I reached out to Samual Blue in April of 2022.  I received an automatic email of listings from my real estate agent because I could ask to see the house and it is a must faster process than going through online.  My real estate agent is Stacy Ramsay ABR, GRI, SFC, Real Estate Professional, RE/MAX Leading Edge, 734-323-9000.

The Disability Rights Michigan and the Michigan Developmental Disabilities Council are working to make more affordable and accessible housing available to Michiganders with disabilities. As a member of the Self-Advocates of Michigan (SAM), I just want people to know that there are a lot of people out there who are working to make homeownership even more achievable for people with disabilities.