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Dupaco helps member Jon Sodawasser sign closing papers on the purchase of his first home Aug 16 at Dupaco’s branch in Dyersville, Iowa. (M. Burley photo) Dupaco member Jon Sodawasser signs closing papers on the purchase of his first home Aug 16 at Dupaco’s branch in Dyersville, Iowa. (M. Burley photo)

A member story: ‘It’s nice to be where I am now’

By Jon Sodawasser | Dupaco member

I felt like I was trapped.

I was living in my parents’ house, and I never thought I would get out on my own. My family is close. We help each other, and I had been helping my family pay bills.

I knew I eventually wanted to pay for a house, but I didn’t know where to go.

I started seeing other people switch to Dupaco. So I decided to check it out last year and applied for my first mortgage.

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I didn’t get approved. But Dupaco was able to point me in the right direction to get my credit score up. I didn’t know about credit scores. I just knew I needed to have a decent one.

Dupaco told me how a credit card would benefit me. I was always afraid to get a credit card or a loan because I was afraid that I couldn’t pay it off. But it wasn’t that big scary monster that I thought it would be. If you’re conscious about it, you can do it.

And it worked.

Not even a full year later, I got my credit score up.

Learn the best way to build your credit >

I cried when I got approved to buy my first house.

I found an older house from around 1920. It has good character and needs a little elbow grease that I’m not afraid to do. I’m excited to call it my own.

Switching to Dupaco motivated me to get here. Everyone has been so understanding. And I don’t feel like I could get that anywhere else.

It’s nice to be where I am now.

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