The kitchen doorframe bears the pencil proof of Lindsie Hudzina’s success at creating a new homeownership legacy for her family — lines marking the height of each of her children.
“The first thing they wanted to do when we got the keys and walked into the house for the first time in January was mark their height on the wall,” Hudzina said.
“They’ve done that and talk often about how beautiful the house is and what it means to have their own rooms, their own closets, and so much more space. We still can’t believe the house is ours when we come inside.”
Setting Goals Through Regions Greenprint
Hudzina’s yearlong journey to homeownership began at the Regions branch in Jonesborough, Tennessee, which she had originally visited to create an account for the direct deposit of her paycheck at a new job.
That’s how she met with Regions Team Lead Renee Honaker, who introduced her to the bank’s no-cost Greenprint plans.
Using indicators of financial health from The Financial Health Network, Greenprint plans take customers through a series of questions that touch on spending, saving, borrowing and planning to generate one of three financial health scores – financially vulnerable, financially coping, or financially healthy, with recommended next steps to improve.
Since the launch of Regions Greenprint in 2020, the bank created more than a million plans annually for personal and small business customers.
Hudzina’s Greenprint plan and conversation with Honaker identified her homeownership goal and its biggest obstacle: credit.
Building Credit
Over the next year, Honaker and her Regions Mortgage teammates watched Hudzina follow their advice and build credit. She first opened a secured Regions Explore Visa® credit card and paid it off, and then did the same with a small Deposit Secured Loan with her own collateral.
I told Renee my dream was to build myself a career and get a home for my kids, but, when it came to credit, I didn’t know where to start.Lindsie Hudzina
Regions’ records show that customers with credit scores under 620 see their scores increase by an average of 49 points in the 12 months after opening a Regions Explore Visa®, and an average of 58 points in the 12 months after opening a Deposit Secured Loan.
“I told Renee my dream was to build myself a career and get a home for my kids, but, when it came to credit, I didn’t know where to start,” Hudzina said. “I followed their advice and chipped away at it little by little. Within a year, I had my score up to 640 and was so excited.”
Finding the Right Home and Loan
With that and more than a year of documented employment – she’s currently an administrative support specialist for a building materials supplier – Hudzina was ready to apply for a Regions mortgage.
Regions Mortgage walked her through the process to get pre-approved, start shopping for a home and join the more than 193,000 Regions mortgage loans that mortgage loan officers originated for customers like Demetrius and Candace Wood.
“Lindsie put herself in the financial position to find the house she was qualified for and that fit her budget, asked great questions and provided everything we needed every step of the way,” said Lacy Husk, who leads the Regions Mortgage team in East Tennessee.
“It all paid off, and we couldn’t be happier for her and her family.”
Hudzina and her husband, Stephen, fell in love with the four-bedroom, two-bath home they purchased Jan. 12. Near a school bus stop – one of their must-haves – it also came with a large lot, as well as both river and mountain views.
Gone were the days of sharing one bathroom while living at her mother’s place during Hudzina’s credit-building journey.
The best part of my job is developing personal relationships with my customers through our Greenprint experience — part of our culture and desire to make life better for our customers.Renee Honaker, Relationship Banker, Team Lead
“My favorite features are the front and back porches,” Hudzina said of her new home. “I can sit out on the front porch and see the mountains and hear the water. The back porch is a new composite deck and the backyard also has a gazebo and above-ground swimming pool so we can have a cookout and let the kids swim.”
Honaker said she has experienced many home closings but none quite like the Hudzinas’.
“When she came by the branch to get the cashier’s check for the closing, we hugged and shared happy tears knowing she had achieved what she had worked so long and hard for,” Honaker said. “The best part of my job is developing personal relationships with my customers through our Greenprint experience — part of our culture and desire to make life better for our customers.
“The result is the opportunity to do this every day and be rewarded with stories like Lindsie’s.”
Husk added, “Closing day is always one of the most exciting for us since it’s the culmination of everything we’ve worked for. There’s nothing better than seeing customers like Lindsie achieve their dreams of homeownership.”
‘Regions Cared’
While she did the work, Hudzina said Honaker, the Regions Mortgage team and the Greenprint plan guided her home.
I can’t put into words how thankful I am that a banking institution like Regions cared enough about me personally to make me feel so valued and spent every moment building me up and preparing me to realize my dream.Lindsie Hudzina
“I always felt like the most important customer when I called or stopped by,” Hudzina said of her experience.
“I can’t put into words how thankful I am that a banking institution like Regions cared enough about me personally to make me feel so valued and spent every moment building me up and preparing me to realize my dream.”
When she’s out on the porch with her coffee and taking in the view, Hudzina said she reflects often on the day she walked into Honaker’s branch, and walked out with a Greenprint plan for success to put into action.
Life-changing Experience
“Owning a home has changed our lives,” Hudzina said. “The best part is the example it has set for our children who feel like they belong somewhere. They see how when you work hard and put forth the effort, you can achieve your financial goals. Sometimes, that may take some time, but it’s still possible if you don’t quit and stay at it.
“It’s such a beautiful thing to demonstrate to them how this can be possible for them one day too.”