Does anyone remember what is like buying your first house? A little overwhelming considering all the parties involved: the bank, seller, real estate agents, housing inspector, lawyers, and well meaning family members give you lots of advice. Generally, you run into a few bumps along way, whether it is the condition of the house or a quirky seller. Buying our first house was challenging, we went through a lot of hoops, but in the end we were happy to finally have a place to call home.

For many people in the Capital District (and other places across the US for that matter) homeownership is not attainable because of their income. Many who work full-time just don’t make enough to afford a house at the market rate. According to the National Association of Realtors, the median sales price for a house in Rensselaer County is $168,000.

To help working individuals and families obtain homeownership, a nonprofit organization called Habitat for Humanity builds/renovates homes and sells it to prospective homeowner at cost. Sometimes a modest house will cost a family 60-80k, half the median sales price in Rensselaer. In order to qualify to purchase a home through Habitat, the family has to meet income guidelines, participate in homeownership training, and help build the house. Since 1976 Habitat for Humanity has built over 350,000 homes, providing shelter for almost 2 million people in 3000 different communities world wide!

This past spring Terra Nova began volunteering with Habitat for Humanity of Rensselaer as part of our Community Extension efforts. We’ve worked on three different homes, from tearing down an old garage to putting up siding and painting. Last week we worked on putting in windows at the most recent site on Ingalls Ave in Troy. The Ingalls house is a “church build” meaning that churches throughout Rensselaer County are pitching in through prayer, volunteering, and finances, to renovate this old house and provide a home to a family in the area.

On Christmas Eve, Terra Nova’s special offering raised $1000 to support Habitat for Humanity of Rensselaer County. Thank you for sharing the blessings that God has given you. Volunteers are needed if you’d like to help out. No special skills required, except a little elbow grease. You can sign up to help by emailing Matthew Miller.