"We came into this house about 4 months ago and it's all done up now. New paints, new carpet. So, getting ready for us," said homebuyer Dustin Majchen.
The home is getting some final touches by contractors hired by Fresno County through its Neighborhood Stabilization Program.
"This is a nice neighborhood, but this home was an eyesore," said Fresno County Program Manager Yvette Quiroga.
The county received $7-million dollars in federal stimulus funding to buy foreclosed homes, fix them and bring them up to code, then sell them back to low-to-middle income families.
"Most of our programs in the county; a family of 4 can't make more than $44-thousand dollars and change, with this program a family of four can make $66-thousand dollars and change," said Yvette.
The homebuyer must be pre-approved by a bank for a first mortgage, and then the county gives them a second interest-free loan for up to 30% of the value of the home. The loan does not have to be re-paid if the buyer stays in the home for at least 15-years.
Neighbor Brian Puga is glad the county is helping fix up some of the blighted homes on his street-- and building, he says, a nicer community.
"When you bring in a family that appreciates what they got and works hard and earned what they got then they take pride in what they own," said neighbor Brian Puga.
That pride is already evident in Majchen, who's still weeks away from move-in day but already has plans for a little curb appeal.
"There's not much to do on the inside, so all that is really left is stuff on the outside. I have some ideas for the front yard," said Dustin Majchen.
