Martha and Scott Tacker
When Martha and Scott Tacker first moved to Manchester in 1998, they envisioned staying in public housing for one year. They so wanted to buy a home of their own for their family, which included three young children. But the Tackers soon realized the very real financial challenges of providing for a family while saving for the purchase of a home.
At the time, Scott worked as a Medical Assistant (his current occupation) and also served in the New Hampshire Army National Guard while Martha stayed at home to care for the children. “Every time Scott received a raise in pay, there was a raise in rent so saving was very difficult,” remembers Martha.
The goal seemed more attainable in 2000 when Scott and Martha decided to attend a home ownership seminar offered by NeighborWorks® Greater Manchester. They completed the educational program and enrolled in the IDA program. They set a goal of saving $100 every month toward the purchase of a home. Martha went back to work part-time.
Their plan was sidetracked briefly in 2004 when Scott was deployed to Iraq for one year. “We never stopped saving for the house, even while Scott was away. It was our future,” says Martha.
After accumulating a total of $6,000 of their own and IDA matched funds, Martha and Scott began the process of looking for a home in June 2006. “Because of the education we received, we were more aware of options and ways to avoid expensive pitfalls,” says Martha. Six months later Scott and Martha purchased a three-bedroom home on Manchester’s East Side. The Tacker kids were thrilled -- now they could build a snowman and no one was going to knock it down!
The Tacker family remains busy in their home today, happily working on various house projects. Martha says “Our kids have their own space and we feel a sense of stability in our lives. Our next goal – finding the right dog for our home.”