The American dream of home ownership is alive and well..

HISPANICS ARE THE NEW FORCE IN HOME SALES
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
BY SAM ALIStar-Star Ledger Staff
When 36-year-old Olga Huayguas arrived from Peru 18 years ago, she never dreamed she would one day own her own home, let alone two homes and a deli.
She did not speak English. She had no credit history in the United States. And she had no money for a down payment or closing costs.
Then she met Yolanda Barreto, a real estate agent and owner of UNIcasa Showtime Realty in West Orange, which regularly works with Hispanics. Huayguas told the agent she was tired of living in a cramped apartment with her four children, ages 2 to 19 -- and tired of paying $1,200 a month with nothing to show for it.
Barreto, also a native of Peru, soon was teaching Huayguas the basics of personal finance, how to clean up her credit and, ultimately, how to secure an affordable mortgage and a piece of the American dream. ....... continued