Case Study

Lara Petersen

Her environmental impact was important to her so she wanted to stay within walking or biking distance to work. "I got rid of my car years ago to lower my carbon footprint," she explained. After flirting with buying a home in the New North End, she decided against it because she did not want to own a car again.

To help become mortgage-ready to purchase, Lara attended CHT's Homebuyer Education Workshop. At the workshop, Lara remembers an exercise designed to help people decide what kind of a house fits their needs. "After the exercise, I realized that I was trying to make my priorities fit the house rather than make the house fit my priorities."

Within a few weeks, Lara found a home in Burlington's Old North End. "It all kind of worked out like a dream, this condo is just so perfect for me." Lara's new condo may be a bit smaller than the house that she had looked at originally, but she's close enough to her job that she doesn't need to buy a car. "My good friend lives a few houses over and we walk to work every day. Also, the sense of community around here is great, there's such a positive energy. I couldn't be happier."

"I'm so grateful for the Champlain Housing Trust," says Lara. "I can honestly say I wouldn't have found my wonderful condo without all the knowledge I took away from the workshop. They just made everything so easy."