Growing Flowers

September 3, 2025 Projects

Steven and Catherine weren't just looking for any house.

For years, the house on Westway in the Library Village neighborhood sat empty, neglected, and tax-delinquent. Without significant investment, it could have been torn down. But because of the Land Bank's work, its future, and that of a young couple, changed completely.

In 2024, Steven and Catherine became first-time homeowners in the property. It was no longer an old, empty building, but a carefully renovated, ready-to-move-into home. Their experience shows how much good can come from the Land Bank's efforts.

Discovering a Home

Steven and Catherine really liked older homes, drawn to the quality and character that newer houses often lack.

"I'm interested in homes that are made of real wood, not cardboard," Steven explained. So, when they learned about the Land Bank's efforts to restore older homes and sell them exclusively to homeowners, it felt right to them. "That's absolutely what I want to do," he remembered.

Their first look at the Westway property made a strong impression.

"It was just absolutely beautiful. The craftsmanship was gorgeous," said Catherine.

What made this Land Bank renovation stand out was the careful attention to detail. It wasn't just a quick renovation; it was a detailed restoration that made the house truly ready for them to move in.

The renovation work passed a home inspection easily. "I remember when we got the FHA inspection," Steven said, "The only item flagged was that paint on the trim needed to be touched up in one room." What a welcome surprise!

The Freedom to Grow Flowers

For Steven and Catherine, owning a home represents freedom.

"I don't have to worry about rising rent costs," Catherine said, addressing a common concern for many. But it also allowed them to do more.

Catherine was happy when Steven reminded her, "You got to grow flowers for the first time." This simple pleasure was previously impossible from a second-story apartment with windows that couldn't open.

Steven also pointed out the new usefulness of their space. "I think for me it's the fact that we have the space to do things," he explained. As someone who works from home, having a dedicated office has been a significant improvement. "Before the office was my bedroom, and so there was never that separation. And now it's like, I'm going into my office to do work." Even their pets are doing better with the extra room.

A Future with Roots

Owning a home has changed how Steven and Catherine see their future. "I definitely have roots now," Steven reflected. The way they used to live, moving regularly with an average of three years in any one place, is over.

This new stability has also led to a greater sense of investment. When their roof had a small leak, they didn't choose a temporary fix. "We decided to get a new roof on instead of having it repaired because we want to be here for ten, fifteen years," Steven explained. "And replacing the roof is an investment for the long term." With help from the Land Bank's Home Preservation Initiative, the new roof went on this summer.

The Land Bank's Impact

Their overall experience with the Land Bank was quite positive. "It was actually 10, 10 stars," they both agreed.

Both Steven and Catherine also believe the Land Bank has had a positive impact on their neighborhood. Steven remembered a clear example: "Literally, while I was mowing last night, some neighbor kids came by and they're like, this house was abandoned for five years before you got it." The change caught everyone's attention. "It's not an abandoned house anymore."

When asked for advice for others considering a Land Bank home, Steven offered practical advice about homeownership itself: "Be ready to always be putting something into it." He used a saying: "All houses are trying as hard as they can to return to dust as fast as they can."

However, he quickly made it clear that the Land Bank's homes are different. "A program designed to make homes available for first-time homeowners, I think that's awesome," he said.

Steven and Catherine's homeownership story is one of renewal, freedom, and building community. With the Land Bank's help, they have more than a house. They have stability.