RATHDRUM — Drawing on the walls wasn’t frowned upon Wednesday as Xena Reeser drew a cat she named Frankie on her new home.

The Reeser family and representatives from Hayden Homes and First Story gathered Wednesday for a wall-raising ceremony as construction continued on the house.

Sarah Reeser found out in March she would become a homeowner thanks to First Story, a regional homebuying nonprofit.

Reeser, who has two daughters, works as a welder/fabricator at Bay Shore Systems. She applied after being outpriced by the rising costs of the housing market during her search over the last three years.

“We’ve just been waiting for this. I’m investing in myself and my family,” Reeser said.

First Story executive director Claire Duncan officiated games for the assembly from Hayden Homes and First Story to participate in, including a treasure hunt.

Hayden Homes chairman Hayden Watson said the family’s realization that their home is actually a reality is his favorite part of the building process.

“When you see the soon-to-be homeowner and their family, it never gets old,” Watson said.

First Story began its search in Kootenai County to find a family in January. This is the fourth home in North Idaho the nonprofit has purchased.

When Reeser had first started to take stock of the high housing market pricing in the area, she persisted.

“I always thought if I bucked up, I could get a home,” Reeser said, adding that “it had to be a unicorn” of a house to match her family’s needs and what she could afford.

With housing prices increasing by 40-50% since the start of the pandemic, the nonprofit coaches homebuyers through the process and works with local builders such as Hayden Homes to keep costs manageable and shave off extra fees.

The homebuying agreement includes a 30-year, no interest and no money down loan. New appliances are also included in new First Story homes.

“It was very cool, and it was an experience I don’t think we’ll ever forget,” Reeser said. 

The Reesers hope to settle into their new home this fall.

    Members of the Reeser family, Hayden Homes and First Story gathered at the new home Sarah Reeser and her daughters will call home for a celebratory wall raising ceremony.

  

    May you experience an abundance of blessings and memories was one note scrolled on the walls of a home the Reesers will call their own.
  

    Xena Reeser draws a cat on the wall of the new home next to her mother, Sarah Reeser and Hayden Watson of Hayden Homes during the wall raising celebration through First Story. First Story helps eliminate some financial barriers to becoming a homeowner for middle income families.
  

    Kyle Shuey and Brian Orr of Hayden Homes compete to see who is the fastest at hammering nails during the First Story wall raising event for Sarah Reeser and her family. Orr won the overall competition.