Perseverance Pays Off

Paul and Helena Slicker in front of their newly renovated residence.

"Move-in-Day" has been a long time coming, but Paul and Helena Slicker and their two daughters now have something to celebrate. They recently bought their first home from the Mercer County Housing Authority.

The Slicker family eagerly made the transition from renter to first-time homebuyer. Vacant and in disrepair for over ten years, their house was renovated from top to bottom utilizing HUD Neighborhood Stabilization program grant funds received from the City of Sharon, PA. The rehabilitation work was completed by the Mercer County Housing Authority who had recently bought the 150 year old house, once foreclosed upon and abandoned, to launch a first-time homeownership opportunity for an eligible family.

How does one prepare to take that giant step into the unknown? Once renters at a public housing complex in Pymatuning Township, the Slickers attended a required homeownership course in order to make the transition to homeownership. They are grateful the course was available to them.

A former medic injured in Iraq, Paul Slicker was eligible for a VA-backed, first-time homebuyer loan but had difficulty securing it in time to meet the scheduled closing date. The Slickers became their own advocates, going into overdrive to make certain the sale would close. In the end, their self-determination paid off and the pathway to homeownership was cleared. Congratulations to the Slicker family!

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