Joel & Heather Schossow

Lincoln, NE

Down Payment: $350

Equity Earned: $80,000

“We moved here from Lenexa Kansas because of a job opportunity that came up for Joel.  We needed a home and a stable routine for our four young children, and other builders we talked to were going to take nine to twelve months to build a home.  After looking into Homestead Homes, family members told me ‘Oh, you don’t want to do that,’ but I was determined to prove them wrong.  I was a little skeptical at first, then I talked to a Homestead rep and attended one of their seminars.  I asked a lot of questions and there wasn’t anything they couldn’t answer.  It didn’t take long before I decided that this is what I wanted to do,” explains Heather.

“I’m a stay at home mom, so I was able to spend a lot of time on the job site.  Joel wasn’t able to do that with his new job, so we decided it’d be best if I was the general contractor. I was at the job site for a few hours every morning and again in the afternoon,” Heather says.  Joel adds, “Heather really carried the torch and made it all happen.  I’m elated with our new home.” 

Heather continues, “Homestead has been there every step of the way.  There were times when a contractor would ask me a question and I didn’t know what they were talking about.  I didn’t want to sound like an idiot, so I’d call the guys at Homestead and they’d tell me ‘Okay Heather, this is what you need to say.’” 

“We’ve bought two new homes before, but never acted as the general contractor.  Before, we just moved in to a completed home and it was our home.  But this is our home.  We did some of the work.  We may not have pounded any nails, but we were there every day and watched it being built – built the way we wanted.  Even the kids chipped in so they can say they helped build their home.  That really made it a family experience.  I have tremendous pride in our new home.  This is the home of our dreams,” exclaims Heather.