A fresh start on familiar ground for an Idaho family

"Houses and properties are so expensive in Boise," Joanne said.

When they realized they wouldn’t be able to afford a new house and property within Boise city limits, they decided to take a different route. After researching Boise's requirements and working with the city, they learned they could replace their original home on the property with a new manufactured home if specific requirements were met. Because they already owned the land and had utilities in place, they were several steps ahead already. For the family, that realization changed everything.

Finding the right home

After some research, Steven and Joanne connected with Ty Falwell at Clayton Homes of Boise. One floor plan immediately stood out.

"We really liked the layout because we wanted the split-bedroom setup," Steven said. "And we liked the (size of the) dining room and the kitchen."

The Lovely Day floor plan offered the space they had been missing for years. At nearly 1,600 square feet, it gave Michael and Eric their own space, and the spacious living area gives everyone room to spread out while still staying connected.

A smooth path forward

Once they decided to move forward, the process unfolded faster than they expected.

After receiving approval in late 2023, the family temporarily moved into an apartment while their original house was demolished and the site was prepared for their new home. Snow briefly delayed construction, but things moved quickly after that. The home was set on its permanent foundation in March 2024, and they received the keys to their new home a couple months later on May 3.

"The whole process was really stress-free,” Steven said. “(Clayton and Ty) made it really easy.”

They appreciated how closely everyone communicated throughout the home construction and financing processes. They always knew what stage came next and could track every step along the way.

The emotion of coming home

Move-in day brought a mixture of excitement, relief, and gratitude. For Michael, the feeling was simple.

"It was awesome."

Steven remembers the emotion of finally unlocking the door to a home that belonged entirely to their family.

"It was great to have a new home," he said. "The day they told us we were getting the keys, it was just emotional."

The moment held special significance for Joanne. Despite decades of homeownership and raising her family on the property, she had never lived in a new home before. This was the first time she was the first and only owner of a home.

And there's also Piper, the family's cat.

"Michael's her favorite human," Joanne said.

Piper follows the twins around the house, curls up near them, and often sleeps in their rooms at night. Like the rest of the family, she's found her place in the new home.

Steven and Joanne have now been married for five years, and together they've created a home that supports their family's future. The old house may be gone, but the land remains the same.

For Joanne, being able to stay on the property where she spent more than four decades raising Michael and Eric means everything to her. Instead of leaving Boise or starting over somewhere else, the family found a new beginning.