Working at a bank and handling mortgage loan applications daily, Operation HOPE client Briana L. was no stranger to the homebuying process. She had guided countless clients through the complex maze of paperwork, credit checks, and underwriting. Yet, when it came time for her to buy her own first home, she quickly realized that being on the other side of the desk was an entirely different experience.
Briana shared her sentiments with longtime friend, Lauren. “I thought that I couldn’t do this—especially with how the economy was going,” said Briana.
Lauren, in turn, introduced her to her mom, Sandy Clark, a Financial Wellbeing Coach for Operation HOPE and a financial industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience.
From the beginning, Sandy gave Briana the motivation to keep moving forward. In addition to being a knowledgeable coach, she was Briana’s biggest cheerleader.
“Sandy made the process so much easier for me—she was patient and was there for any type of questions or support I needed. She really just helped me the whole way,” said Briana.
As a homeowner herself, Sandy could speak from experience about the complexities of the mortgage loan process and reassured Briana that there were plenty of options to assist in buying a house. For example, as a first-time home buyer, Briana had several different government loan programs to choose from.
One of the biggest hurdles Briana faced was planning for the down payment. She didn’t want to rely on family or outside help, so Sandy helped her explore other options, including weighing the pros and cons of tapping into her 401(k) for the payment.
“I’d rather pay myself back than borrow from someone else,” Briana concluded.
Transitioning from renting to owning has brought Briana a lot of joy. For example, she is thrilled that her large dog now has a backyard to roam around in. But it also brought new responsibilities—she learned the importance of budgeting for home-related expenses like real estate taxes, property insurance, and unexpected repairs such as damage sustained to her fence after a hurricane.
Briana emphasizes how Operation HOPE’s support didn’t end at closing.
“It doesn’t stop here. If I’m ever there needing any questions answered, I know I can always get to Sandy and she’ll help me,” she said.
Their ongoing relationship has made Sandy not only a coach but a trusted advisor—a role many Operation HOPE coaches proudly embrace. Sandy’s motto is “success happens when opportunity and preparedness meet.”
Today, Briana is excited about what’s next. She’s thinking about home upgrades and taking inspiration from new builds in her area. Her community continues to grow, with new amenities being added regularly.
“It’s a really good location—and it’s close to my family too,” she said.