Pathway Homes partners with Self Financial to help people overcome past credit issues that often limit home seekers’ optionsThis story is part of our focus on solutions put forward to tackle big and small social problems in our communities. Our evidence-based reporting explores challenges in Texas and looks for examples set by people trying to find answers that help.The Kansas City native and her husband moved to North Texas in 2013 because of a job relocation.
Felch said tools like Self Financial offers can be great for people who need to “get to the finish line” of their home-buying journey. “What we do is provide options for folks,” Cleary said. “That option looks like a nice, new home with professional property management in a good location with good schools and good public safety and predictable payments.”Even with the financial coaching at Pathway Homes, clients often need help with their credit, which made for a smart partnership with Self Financial, Cleary said.
Self’s rent product examines a customer’s rent payments and reports them as “positive payment events” to the three credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. In about three to five months, customers should see an impact on their credit report by using Self products, Szudarek said.Pathway Homes’ partnership with Self Financial developed organically as clients came into the rent-to-own platform speaking highly of the app’s impact. Cleary said his staff began referring more people to the platform as they would come in seeking help to build up their credit.