For Kyla and her husband, life in Enid, Oklahoma has grown fuller—and so has their need for space. When they bought their first home in 2020 it was the perfect starter house for just the two of them. But after welcoming two young children, the family quickly realized they needed more room to grow.
Knowing her trusted lender, Mandy at Gateway Mortgage, had guided them well the first time, Kyla reached back out. Mandy laid out three possible paths forward, and after reviewing each, one clearly stood out. “REI seemed like the best fit,” Kyla said. What she didn’t expect was just how much of a difference it would make.
“It ended up being even better than I thought. I thought I was going to spend a good amount on closing costs, but I was able to get the appraisal amount and earnest money back, so we didn’t even have to bring any money to closing. It worked out perfect.”
For a young family trying to balance childcare costs, daily expenses and the pressures of the market, that relief mattered. “Knowing that we have that money set aside that was saved in case of an emergency is such a relief,” Kyla said. “We don’t have to live paycheck to paycheck in order to be in this house; we get that financial cushion that would have gone to closing costs.”
They closed on their new home at the end of September and moved in that same weekend. The updated house has been everything they hoped for—especially for their daughter, who is thrilled with her larger bedroom. “She has so much room to just run in there, she just loves it.” She’s already busy planning her pink-and-unicorn décor. The family has also enjoyed having a more spacious living room, creating a cozy space that works for both adults and kids.
Kyla appreciated Mandy’s steady guidance throughout the process. “I would absolutely recommend Mandy, she made the whole process so easy and really broke down the different options that are available.”
Looking ahead, Kyla says their experience with REI Oklahoma’s down payment assistance program made a lasting impression. “If REI Oklahoma’s program is an option we would definitely encourage people to use it.”
For now, the family is settling in, grateful for more space, more stability and a home that truly fits who they are today.
