My name is Amiya, I am 22 years old, and I bought my first home in December of 2024. It is now 8 months later, and all we have had are problems. Since we have moved in, we have had to replace the water heater, and now our HVAC system. We noticed water damage about a month ago and had to tear up all of our flooring in the living room and dining room, as well as drywall around our furnace closet, and carpet and drywall in one of the bedrooms.

Our furnace is 25 years old and leaking excessively with an incorrect installation, as well as an outdoor AC unit that is 45+ years old. Now we have a $10,000+ fix on our hands. The estimate for the HVAC was $9,200, and that doesn’t include the flooring, sub-flooring, drywall, and much more we have to replace due to the water damage. Homeowners insurance refused to help, and now we are left feeling alone and scared about finances.

As a young couple, this was heartbreaking and terrifying. I am in college, paying monthly for classes, and working 60 hours a week alongside my boyfriend who is working 65 hours a week. We aren’t the type of people who are comfortable asking others for money, but a friend of mine recommended a GoFundMe and said, “it never hurts to ask for help.” After many days of deliberation and stressing over how we are going to make this work, I decided she is right.