Gathered to celebrate with Raul Ramirez in front of his new home on Alabama Avenue Monday afternoon, from left,  LAHP Program Manager Cindy Hollabaugh, Ramirez, LAHP Executive Director Steve Brugger and 4-W Investments LLC co-owner Craig Wehner. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com

By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
caclark@ladailypost.com

Raul Ramirez is moving into his new home today on Alabama Avenue with his wife Laura and their five children. Ramirez purchased the home from 4-W Investments LLC, owned by Craig and Rachel Wehner, who also own Los Alamos Landscaping & More LLC, where Ramirez is employed.

The Wehners made a decision to retain a valued employee by making one of their properties available for sale at a price affordable to him. With additional assistance from the Los Alamos County Homebuyer Assistance Program, which offers low interest, deferred payment, subordinate down payment loans to income qualified households, Ramirez and his family were able to secure a first mortgage loan at an affordable monthly payment.

The Wehners said they saw this as a long-term investment in the community where both the employer and employee benefit. The sale price was set below the home’s value, which is uncommon in the Los Alamos housing market. When asked why he would sell a home below appraised value, Craig said, “I care about the wellbeing of our staff and admire Raul’s commitment and desire to raise his children in the community where he works. I wanted to help pass along the opportunity of home ownership to a well deserving family.” 

For his part, Ramirez said that he is very appreciative of the opportunity that has been presented to him and his family.

“We are so happy that we are now homeowners and owe special thanks to Craig and Rachel for making this happen for our family,” he said. “We also thank Steve (Brugger) and Cindy (Hollabaugh) for all of their work with us, day by day, throughout this process.”

Funding for the Homebuyer Assistance Program represents one of the ways in which employer assisted housing can be implemented, according to Executive Director Steve Brugger of Los Alamos Housing Partnership, Inc. (LAHP), the nonprofit organization that administers this program on behalf of Los Alamos County.

The County and LAHP have assisted 31 employees and self-employed entrepreneurs into homeownership through this County-funded Homebuyer Assistance Program, Brugger said, adding that when an employer provides an additional financial incentive, such as the Wehners did for Ramirez, it makes housing affordability that much more achievable for the employee, with long term benefits for the employer as well as the community.

Homeownership counseling and education is also an important component of this program, LAHP Program Manager Cindy Hollabaugh said. She worked with Ramirez throughout his homebuying process.

“A first time homebuyer can be easily overwhelmed with all the steps between wanting to purchase a home and closing on the home,” Hollabaugh said. “We are always available to help homebuyers with their questions during this process. We can help buyers find Realtors, lenders, inspectors and insurance companies. We can explain uncommon terms, which are used frequently in the home purchase process. We have been able to help people who dreamed of homeownership make their dreams come true.”

Hollabaugh said funding is available for the Homebuyer Assistance Program and welcomes questions about the program. She may be reached at cindy@lahp.com or 505.662.8918.