| With the ability she's shown | | | | previous suggestions (See #1). But still many |
| And the determination she's known, | | | | homeowners experience this problem. |
| The single black female | | | | Solution: Discuss the specific problem with your |
| Is no longer waiting to exhale | | | | contractor. Show the visible problems to your |
| Their even buying their own home. | | | | contractor and insist they correct the problem before |
| Since 2003, single women were nearly twice as likely | | | | the project moves forward. Inspect the contractors |
| to buy homes as single men. Single women now make | | | | work daily to make sure it is going and looking as |
| up the second-largest group of home buyers, | | | | planned. If the contractors work continues to be |
| according to a nationwide survey by the National | | | | shoddy or sloppy, you may have grounds to withhold |
| Association of Realtors. This trend continues as we | | | | payment or take legal action. |
| approach the year 2008. | | | | 3. As a single woman how can I avoid Contactors |
| From 1997 to 2002, single black women in many urban | | | | taking advantage of me? |
| centers across America obtained more mortgage | | | | Solution: As more single women buy and own homes |
| loans than single black men or even black couples. | | | | (almost twice as much as single men now), this |
| That's right! | | | | question comes up more and more in my emails. |
| Because of increased earning power, better financial | | | | The best way to make sure Contractors don't see |
| management and determination single women continue | | | | your womanhood as a weakness and try to take |
| to widen the gap. Single African American women | | | | advantage of you is to be an informed consumer. In |
| also continue to outpace single African American men | | | | this case knowledge is power. |
| in home purchasing and ownership. | | | | You have to do your homework, research and do |
| Evidence of this trend comes from home | | | | your comparison-shopping. Know what you want, |
| improvement retailers such as Home Depot and | | | | know the going price for what you want and know the |
| others who target female homeowners with | | | | terminology. |
| "Do-It-Herself" workshops. Over 200,000 women have | | | | You can allow contractors to educate you on some |
| taken the classes, ranging from decorating to how to | | | | technical aspect of the job, but they shouldn't have to |
| use power tools and more. | | | | educate you on everything. When they sense you |
| Notice how more and more home improvement | | | | haven't done your homework, the dishonest or |
| commercials from OSH, Loews and Home Depot | | | | unethical ones will take advantage of you. So your |
| include women as the main character. This is no | | | | best defense is knowledge. |
| accident. | | | | 4. I am falling behind on my house payment, what |
| According to a 2004 State of the Nation Housing | | | | should I do? |
| report, homeownership is on the rise and single African | | | | The first step to take is to contact your lender. |
| American women play a large role. The report further | | | | Contrary to a popular belief of many African American |
| states from 1994 to 2002, unmarried women | | | | homeowners, your Bank or lender doesn't want your |
| accounted for 30 percent of homeowner growth. | | | | home. Especially the way the home loan climate is |
| The number of unmarried women owning homes | | | | now. |
| climbed from 14 million to 17.5 million. This trend | | | | Because the more foreclosed homes a lender takes |
| continues as more women see the importance of | | | | back the worse it looks on their books, to their |
| homeownership and feel no need to wait until they find | | | | stockholders and to the Federal Deposit Insurance |
| a man to make the plunge into homeownership. | | | | Commission. What your lender wants is the interest |
| As a service to the many African American women | | | | and principle paid back. Taking your house back is the |
| who subscribe to the Black Homeowner Newsletter, I | | | | last thing they want to do, but they'll do it if they have |
| receive many questions from African American | | | | to, but only as a last resort. |
| women. I took the time to pick out the top 5 most | | | | So your goal should be to show them reasons to still |
| frequently asked questions from my women | | | | have faith in you. The first way is to contact them |
| homeowner subscribers. | | | | immediately if you think you'll have a problem making a |
| It is my hope these questions will help other women | | | | payment. Don't let them contact you first. Tell them |
| (and men) to be better homeowners. We've edited the | | | | your problem and let them offer possible solutions first. |
| questions for brevity and clarity. | | | | 5. How can I update my home without spending a lot |
| _______________ | | | | of money? |
| Questions and Answers: | | | | If you have a lot of ambitions for your home but don't |
| 1. What's the best way to find a dependable | | | | have a lot of money; the best way to approach this is |
| contractor? | | | | by doing strategic improvements. |
| Solution: The best way to find a dependable | | | | Improving key areas of your home where you'll get the |
| contractor is through the recommendations of trusted | | | | most bang for the buck. These key areas are your |
| friends or family. The next best way is through | | | | kitchen, bathroom and bedroom. |
| research. Get at least 3 estimates from contractors | | | | Conclusion |
| and check references. Successful contractors always | | | | I hope these questions and answers serve to clarify |
| leave clues. If the contractor you hire doesn't have a | | | | and provide solutions you may face now or in the |
| paper trail of successful and happy customers | | | | future. I will continue to share questions I receive from |
| beware. | | | | readers in the hope this will help you even if you didn't |
| 2. The contractor I hired didn't do a good job, what | | | | have the time or inclination to write and ask the |
| should I do? | | | | questions. |
| This is often the result of ignoring or neglecting the | | | | |