UMD Alum-Turned-Faculty Ditches their Commute

As graduate student at UMD, CJ commuted from D.C. When he returned to UMD as a faculty member in the Fall of 2019, his priority was a finding a home with a walkable/bikeable commute. Initially, CJ rented an apartment in Hyattsville. Prior to discovering the Partnership’s Homebuyer Assistance Program, CJ didn’t think homeownership was a possibility because of home prices in the DC region.

The first house CJ saw in person, “felt like a perfect fit — it was walking distance to the metro and a beautiful back yard.” He immediately put in an offer, and, with the help of the Partnership’s homebuyer assistance, stood out from the 11 offers submitted on the home, “[it] made a big difference…with [my realtor’s] help and guidance, and the financial support of both programs, my offer was accepted! 

As a former rental property, CJ’s dream house was eligible for an additional $5,000 in closing cost assistance from the City of College Park’s New Neighbors Grant. The Partnership’s Live+Work College Park Program provides individuals like CJ who are employed full-time in College Park $20,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance towards a home in College Park, Maryland. Learn more and apply here.