Empowering Transformation

Hope Ranch. Businesses can also help by offering job skills training, educational opportunities, or employment for survivors. Another option is developing a work project that offers employees the opportunity to volunteer their time or skills.

The public is invited to support Hope Ranch by attending their annual fundraiser, Embrace Hope. This year’s event will be held on Thursday, September 7 with guest speaker Tim Tebow, a beloved football Hall of Famer who is a two-time national champion, Heisman Trophy winner, a first-round draft pick, and ESPN college football analyst. Tim actively advocates for survivors of trafficking, and campaigns to stop human trafficking on a national and global scale. For single tickets or a table of 10 for the event, go to hoperanchforwomen.com.

The Purpose of Hope Ranch for Women

Human trafficking is one of the fastest growing crimes in all 50 states and, unknown to many, this crime is happening in our own community. These survivors need safety, housing, food, clothing, legal assistance and mental health care. Hope Ranch is a Wichita non-profit solely dedicated to helping these victims recover from sexual abuse and exploitation.

Hope Ranch’s purpose is to be a safe place for recovery and restoration, and to provide a home that offers safety, security and love. Through their residential and community programs, women are guided toward a life that is free from physical and emotional burdens. This powerful program seeks to empower individuals to live in peace and equip them with the necessary tools to not only overcome their past, but also thrive within their community. The program stands as a beacon of hope and support for these individuals throughout Wichita who have faced this type of adversity and trauma.

Programs and opportunities offered through Hope Ranch are made available through the collective efforts of mentors, staff and participants. Mentors and staff provide essential direction and support, offer guidance and encouragement, and act as cheerleaders for individuals on their transformative journeys. Participants are expected to engage actively in various opportunities and tasks. Open communication with mentors and case managers combined with genuine effort and forward movement, are pivotal elements for achieving success within the program.

There are Many Ways You Can Help

Donations for the women at Hope Ranch are always needed, including:

• Clothing (socks, pajamas, leggings, t-shirts, athletic shorts)

• Personal care (facial moisturizer, body soap, shampoo)

• Gift cards (Target, Walmart, Costco, Sam’s, Amazon, gas)

Within your business, support Hope Ranch directly by setting up an employee matching program providing monetary donations to

The most powerful way that you or your business can help Hope Ranch is to become an Embrace Hope event sponsor. Sponsorship opportunities range from Table Host to Gold Level Premier Sponsor, and are outlined on the Hope Ranch website. A limited number of sponsorships include exclusive tickets to the banquet’s private VIP reception with Tim Tebow. Plus, there are corporate sponsorship packages designed to showcase your business through various marketing channels throughout the year.

Hope Ranch encourages everyone to get involved in their mission, because there are so many ways to make a difference in the lives of women who have fallen victim to human trafficking. It is simple to directly help the transformation of a survivor by making a one-time or an ongoing donation online at hoperanchforwomen.com.

Above all, share Hope Ranch’s mission with your friends and family and ask them to get involved with you.

Q. What types of mortgage loans do you offer?

A. Sierra Pacific Mortgage offers conventional, FHA, VA, USDA Guaranteed, and jumbo home loans. We also provide many specialty products through our broker partnerships.

Q. What advice do you have for buying a home or securing an interest rate in this fluctuating market?

A. There is no time like the present to own real estate. The local market continues to appreciate, so real estate is only going to get more expensive here. Rates are not historically high, and mortgage loans can be refinanced as the benefit increases. Secure that asset now so you can start building equity wealth!

Q. What strategies do you have for buyers in this market?

A. With the local market being ultra-competitive, it is important for buyers to get prequalified early. This will give you time to strategize with your real estate agent to make your offer attractive. Sometimes this includes saving additional money for a down payment or appraisal gap, or paying down debt to increase your credit score to get the best terms. We can also identify if a buyer will be a prospect for an appraisal waiver, which means that no appraisal would be necessary for the real estate transaction at all.

Q. How do interest rates fluctuations impact the affordability of homes?

A. Changes in interest rates can affect buying power. By getting prequalified before you’d like to start looking for homes, it allows the buyer to review monthly payments and down payments in a variety of price points. This is important to do before you have found a home so that you can make a very informed choice on price point, rather than paying more than you are comfortable with because you love the home. As a buyer, you do not want to be looking at $400,000 homes when you mathematically need to stay around $250,000. That is a very disappointing conversation to have for all parties.

Q. What strategies do you have for sellers in this market?

A. Sellers have many advantages in this market because of limited inventory. This may require buyers to save additional funds to do any necessary repairs or pay for an appraisal gap if they’re in a multiple offer situation.

Lauren Brown and Michelle Post

Retail Market Managers

Sierra Pacific Mortgage

Q. What role does the housing lender play in helping homebuyers navigate the complexities of purchasing a house in a different financial market?

A. It is valuable to work with a local lender with proven expertise because they understand the market in which they operate. It may be necessary to move quickly so you want to work with a lender that you can easily get a hold of. It also may be helpful that the buyers meet with the lender in person to discuss all options to structure the most competitive offer. This will give buyers a better chance of winning the contract in a multiple offer situation.

Q. How does Sierra Pacific provide guidance and support throughout the home-buying process?

A. The local Sierra Pacific Mortgage office has over 300 years of combined experience, right here in the Wichita area. Our seasoned loan officers know how to help buyers reach their dreams of homeownership, while making the mortgage process as simple as possible. We process, underwrite and close our loans in-house, and service most of the mortgages we originate. This allows us to provide exceptional customer service from the beginning of the mortgage process all the way through the term of the loan.

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417 E Prairie Point Circle Flint Hills National

Under Contract

$900,000 • 4 Bedrooms • 3 Full baths and 2 Half baths • 4,845 SF • Wooded cul-de-sac lot www.flinthillsresidences.com

This beautiful European cottage-style home features exceptional architectural detail. Designed and built by Van Buskirk, the high ceilings and beautiful windows throughout the main floor create an abundance of light and an inviting atmosphere. Open main floor plan featuring two living areas, a large dining space, two main floor fireplaces plus beamed ceilings and wood floors throughout most of the main floor. Incredible recently remodeled gourmet kitchen features quartz countertops, a large island/eating bar, new appliances including a Sub-Zero refrigerator and new Café series gas cooktop and double-ovens plus much more. The covered deck and patio overlooks a private and beautifully landscaped backyard surrounded by an abundance of trees. 3 car sideload garage. Enjoy this quiet cul-de-sac location and the beauty of the surrounding Flint Hills National neighborhood and golf course. No Specials! Andover schools!