In October 2024, Coral Mansfield, a 32-year-old nurse at University Hospitals, purchased a beautifully renovated home on West 95th Street in Cleveland’s Cudell neighborhood, marking her first step into homeownership. Coral, whose parents live in Cleveland Heights and who attended Shaker Heights High School, says that location was a top priority when she was searching for a home. The Cudell neighborhood proved particularly appealing, and its convenient 15-minute commute to her job in University Circle was a significant advantage.

“Initially, I was just looking at a few Cleveland neighborhoods. I used to live in Gordon Square, and I love Edgewater Beach. I spent almost a year searching, and I was looking for either a renovated home or a fixer-upper. But so many of the renovated houses I saw were poorly done. This house was different.”

The property, fully renovated by Cuyahoga Land Bank, immediately stood out. Coral was particularly impressed with the thoughtfully added second bathroom and the upgraded kitchen and baths. “The renovation was done right,” she said. “That was a huge selling point.”

The comprehensive renovation included a new front porch, driveway and sidewalks, new windows, a completely renovated kitchen and baths with high-end appliances and finishes, and updated electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems.

“The quality of the renovation was exceptional,” Coral emphasizes. “And the one-year warranty offered peace of mind, which was a nice bonus.”

While Coral had some familiarity with Cuyahoga Land Bank through a friend, she wasn’t aware of its home renovation program until she discovered the West 95th Street property.

“I didn’t initially know it was a Land Bank renovation,” she admits. “I found out after.”

When asked about the best thing about her new home, Coral reiterated the location and the quality of the renovation. “Location is still the best thing,” she said. “Also, because the renovation was done so well, I don’t have to worry about things falling apart. This house is all updated and done right.”

Coral’s experience highlights the Land Bank’s commitment to creating high-quality, move-in-ready homes that revitalize neighborhoods and provide lasting value to homeowners.