My name is Sherry Watson and I wanted to tell you how pleased I have been with your program and your service. I never thought a single mom could buy and renovate her own home, but you helped make it possible.

Last year when Katrina came through I thought we would never recover. The house we were renting was badly damaged (but not as bad as some people had it) and we moved in with my family. It was very cramped, but we were lucky to have my family there for us.

There seemed to be just no where to go. Then, I got the crazy idea to try to buy a damaged house and fix it back up. I figured I could get a good deal on the house and my father is a retired carpenter so he could help do the renovations.

I started looking around and found a few possible homes that were in an area that my kid and me would like. But, then I ran into problems with how to pay for it. I was able to get a mortgage to buy the house, but no money to fix it up. After a little searching on the internet I found your site and applied. You approved my purchase and gave me everything I needed to fix up the house. I was able to buy the house for $130,000 and I got an extra $60,000 to redo all the wiring, plumbing and sheetrock, windows and roof along with new floors and cabinets and counters. Just look at the result!

Now, less than nine months after that awful storm, I am a homeowner with over $20,000 equity in my home and my kids are back in their own rooms. We are so happy. Thank you so much.

I will never listen to someone again who tells me I can't do something. My perseverance and your great help made it all possible.

Sherry Watson
Metairie, Louisiana
July, 20, 2006