Single Mother by Choice, Homeowner by Design: How I'm Helping Other Women Do the Same
Grab a coffee, or maybe a large tea, if you’re like me and need that extra bit of comfort today. We’re going to get a little personal.
If you’ve followed Heritage Surplus Solutions for a while, you know we’re all about helping people reclaim what’s rightfully theirs after a foreclosure. But you might not know the "why" behind the "what." You might not know that my drive to help people find their footing again doesn't just come from a business degree or a love for real estate, it comes from my own journey of building a life, and a family, entirely by design.
I am a Single Mother by Choice (SMBC). I have two beautiful kids, and the path to getting them here was one of the hardest, most rewarding, and most eye-opening experiences of my life. It involved an IVF journey that tested every ounce of my resolve. And interestingly enough, it’s that exact same "village-building" energy that I bring to work every single day when I’m fighting for homeowners who feel like they’ve lost everything.
The IVF Journey: Building a Village from Scratch
Deciding to become a single mother by choice isn't a "Plan B." For me, it was a very deliberate "Plan A." I knew I wanted to be a mom, and I knew I didn't want to wait for the "perfect" circumstances that society told me I needed.
But let me tell you, the IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) process is a marathon. It’s an emotional and financial roller coaster that requires a specific kind of grit. There are the shots, the appointments, the waiting for phone calls from the clinic, and the crushing weight of "what if it doesn't work?"
When you do this as a single person, you realize very quickly that you have to be your own advocate. You have to research the best clinics, understand the complex medical jargon, and manage a budget that feels like it’s constantly being stretched to the breaking point. You learn to build your own village, of doctors, supportive friends, and family, because you realize that while you are doing the heavy lifting, you don't have to do it alone.
That realization changed me. It made me realize that "home" isn't just a building; it's the stability and the community you build around yourself. And it made me incredibly protective of the idea that everyone, especially women and mothers, deserves a fair shot at that stability.
From Personal Grit to Professional Mission
So, how does an IVF journey lead to a company that tracks down unclaimed foreclosure overages?
It’s about the "design" part of the title. I became a mother by design, and I became a homeowner by design. I worked hard to ensure my kids had a roof over their heads that no one could take away. But I realized that for many people, especially those going through a divorce or a sudden financial crisis, that "design" can get ripped apart in an instant.
Foreclosure is one of the most stressful things a human being can go through. It’s not just about losing a house; it’s about the feeling of failure, the fear of the unknown, and the overwhelming bureaucracy of the legal system.
When I started Heritage Surplus Solutions, I saw too many women, many of them single moms, walking away from foreclosures with nothing, simply because they didn't know they were owed money. They thought the bank took everything. They didn't realize that if their home sold for more than they owed, that "surplus" belonged to them.
I realized I could use the same skills I used to navigate my fertility journey, the research, the advocacy, the refusal to take "no" for a result, to help these women get their "fresh start" money.
The Reality of Affordable Housing
Beyond recovering funds, I’m also deeply involved in affordable housing. I own rental properties specifically designed to provide high-quality, affordable options for those who might be starting over.
I’ve seen firsthand how hard it is for a single mother to get back into a home after a foreclosure or a messy divorce. The credit hits are brutal, and the deposits are high. By providing affordable rentals, I’m trying to be a part of that "village" for other women. I want to give them the same foundation I worked so hard to build for my own children.
If you're currently struggling with the stress of foreclosure, please know that your story isn't over. A foreclosure is a chapter, not the whole book. Whether it's through reclaiming your surplus funds or finding a new, affordable place to call home, there is a path forward.
Why This Matters to Me (And Why It Should Matter to You)
You might wonder why a business owner is being so "open" about things like IVF and solo parenting. It’s because I believe in transparency and compassion.
At Heritage Surplus Solutions, we aren't just "fund recovery specialists." We are people who understand what it’s like to be in the trenches. When we call a client to tell them they have $50,000 waiting for them at a government office, we aren't just thinking about a transaction. We’re thinking about the daycare it will pay for, the down payment on a new condo, or the breathing room it provides for a mom who has been holding her breath for three years.
We handle the messy stuff:
We track down the unclaimed overages.
We hire the attorneys and notaries.
We deal with the red tape and state laws.
And the best part? We do it at no upfront cost. We only get paid if we successfully get your money back.
It’s a risk-free way for you to potentially reclaim thousands of dollars that could change your life.
To the Women Starting Over
If you are a single mom, or a woman facing foreclosure, or someone who just feels like the world is pushing against you: I see you.
I know what it’s like to make a big, scary choice to change your life. I know what it’s like to feel like you’re doing it all on your own. But you don't have to navigate the financial aftermath of a foreclosure alone.
Let us be a part of your village. Whether you just have questions about how to claim surplus funds or you need someone to take the entire legal burden off your plate, we are here.
You were a homeowner once, and you can be again. It might look different this time, it might be a "home by design" rather than by chance, but the stability you’re looking for is within reach.
If you think you might be owed money from a past foreclosure, or if you just want to talk to someone who understands the weight of what you’re carrying, please reach out to us. We’d love to help you design your next chapter.
Sending you all the strength and coffee,
Kristie Baker
Owner, Heritage Surplus Solutions
