Armando Carvalho started thinking about buying a home in 2015 when he moved to Los Angeles. But saving enough money was tough, especially as property values started climbing fast.
Armando, who is an English Language Development teacher at Los Angeles Unified School District, had looked into special options for teachers in California, as well as a loan from the Federal Housing Authority (FHA). Then he found the Landed website and saw that our down payment program, through which we partner with essential professionals who are buying homes, was a great option.
“Getting to a 20% down payment was the main obstacle, so Landed was perfect for me,” Armando said. “I liked that I could lock in clear terms with my Landed partnership and that Landed served as an objective third-party.”
“Since Landed has a vested interest in the success of their customers, I trusted that my needs as a customer were being looked after throughout the transaction.”
He did have questions, though. For example, would he have to share with Landed any appreciation due to improvements he makes to his home?
(The answer, by the way, is no... as a Landed homebuyer, that appreciation is his to keep!)
Armando in his new kitchen in Bunker Hill in Downtown Los Angeles.
Since he had been thinking about buying a home for a while, Armando knew what he wanted: a condo in a denser neighborhood (such as Downtown Los Angeles or Koreatown). That way he’d have easy access to public transportation and could catch a bus to work. He also wanted a well-maintained building.
Armed with his wish list, his Landed partner agent stepped in, arranging showings of all the properties that fit the bill.
“I knew exactly what I wanted, so I identified the listings that fit my budget and other criteria,” he said. “From there, my Landed partner agent saw to all the details, and insulated me from any issues.”
Armando found the perfect one-bedroom, one-bath condo for him in Bunker Hill, a neighborhood in Downtown Los Angeles.
Armando at his home workstation, with views of Downtown Los Angeles.
“I really liked the building, the unit’s flooring, countertops, all the finishes,” Armando recalled of his first impression of his home, which includes granite counters, travertine walls, and views of architecturally significant structures in Downtown Los Angeles.
Armando has now settled into his new home and is glad he’s a homeowner. His advice for others buying a home?
“Know what you want,” he said. “From there, you can understand what you need. And don’t be afraid to think about your needs over the long-term, as this is a significant investment.”
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