Description

In this week’s episode, I’m very excited to be continuing my series of Adventures in House Hunting! For that reason, I have two very special guests, Johnathan Mazzeo and Zoha Raad. They bought their home in Concord California in August of 2020 and are enjoying their time living there with their two boys Daniel and Dean. They are a wonderful family that will share with us their experience becoming homeowners, and their decision to take risks and don’t wait anymore to pursue their dream home!

Jonathan moved to Berkeley to attend the University of California after high school. He remained in Berkeley after graduating, living in a rent-controlled apartment for nine years, during which time he got married and had children. He became an IRS Enrolled Agent in 2016, completed his master's degree in accounting in 2019, and became a licensed CPA in 2021

Zoha had a massive stroke at age 23,  which shifted her entire world-view and understanding of disability. Since that time, she has dedicated herself to improving her understanding of disability by pursuing a minor in Disability Studies at the University of California Berkeley. Zoha was introduced to Stephen through a disability rights activist and later became acquainted with his services. 

Tune in and learn more about this new adventure in house hunting!

[00:01 - 04:27] Opening Segment

• I welcome Johnathan & Zoha to the Show
• • Their experience buying a condo in 2020
  • A pretty spacious place: A townhouse
  • Their long-term plan
• Johnathan & Zoha share how they decided to be homeowners
• • Living in a 2 bedroom apartment
  • Freezing cold in winter

[04:28 - 14:16] House Hunting 

• Johnathan’s & Zoha’s insight about renting vs owning
• • Getting a bigger space they could afford
  • Buying a hoe a the beginning of Covid
  • Through the Looking Glass: They support children and parents with disabilities
• What happened when they met Stephen
• • They change the mindset of not being able to afford a house
  • The decision to not wait anymore
• How Johnathan & Zoha started to look for homes
• • House hunting from the very start
  • Evaluating the location
  • BMR (Below Market Rate
• What they think once they’ve chosen the condo
• • A cozy and enormous place
  • A great design and location

[14:17 - 25:15] Get the Offer Approved

• “If it was meant to be, it would be”

• • Giving the best offer
• The concern that sellers might violate the housing law by favoring and disfavoring some buyer over another one
• • Deals are no just business transactions, they are personal events
• How the moving process was
• • Getting the keys
  • They would’ve wished to hire a moving company
  • They did everything by themselves
• The upgrades and work Johnathan & Zoha have done to the condo
• • Repainting  some areas: bedroom, hallways, closets, etc.
  • A small leak: used the home warranty
• The biggest advice for people who want to become homeowners
• • Take the risk, act and don’t be afraid

 [25:16 - 27:47] Closing Segment

• A good agent makes a difference
• See the links below to know more about Johnathan & Zoha
• Final word

Resources Mentioned:

• Through the Looking Glass 

Tweetable Quote/s:

“And I had visions of the holidays and of having nice winters. And actually, it turned out exactly like that. It's a very cozy place” - Johnathan Mazzeo

“I thought, well, we could rent a couple more years and other nights below market rate, save a little bit more, maybe go after something like a single-family home in the backyard, maybe the market will go down,none of those things. I mean, obviously that hasn't happened.” - Johnathan Mazzeo 

“If someone could afford the monthly payments, and it's a secure choice better than renting because you're throwing away money. You're helping someone else pay their mortgage.” - Zoha Raad

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Accessible Housing Matters is dedicated to raising awareness about important issues around accessibility and housing, and getting conversations going. I'd love to learn more about what's on your mind, and get your feedback about the show. Contact me directly at stephen@accessiblehousingmatters.com to share your thoughts or arrange a call.