Indian Time - A Voice from the Eastern Door

Akwesasne residents interested in purchasing a modular home will soon be able to do so from an Akwesasne owned and managed company, Route 37 Homes.

Rosalie Jacobs has just announced her plans and work is already underway in building the model home that will also be used as the Route 37 Homes office.

On Tuesday morning, ground was broken and the home is under construction. It will be completed by April 20th and a grand opening celebration of Route 37 Homes will be held on April 24th.

“We’re offering an affordable solution to owning your own home,” said Tisha Thompson, Jacobs’ daughter.

Thompson said that instead of paying rent, families could take out a loan and purchase a modular home from them that would be constructed in one month.

“There are many types of homes and floor plans to choose from,” she said.

Once the model home is complete, customers will be able to stop there at 496 Route 37, Akwesasne and view the home itself as well as different samples of linoleum, carpets, cabinets and all the other items that are customized to each order.

Tonya Laughing, manager of Route 37 Homes, has been in contact with Key Bank of Massena to make sure that Mohawk customers will be able to access funding for the homes.

Laughing said that buyers placing the home in Akwesasne will have to get their land deed stamped by the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Clerk Corleen Jacco. Key Bank will then review loan applications based on income, and as long as the customer can verify their income source, “it will be as easy as getting a car loan,” Laughing said she was told.

Cost of the homes will depend on what each customer chooses for their personal specifications, but the estimates have been from roughly $100,000 for an average size home to $160,000 for a large five bedroom, split level home.

Akwesasne homeowners have previously visited modular home sites in Plattsburgh and Burlington but now owning their own home will require much less travelling for them.

“You could be in your house in a month after you make the final decisions of your colors and your loans go through,” Laughing said. “What takes the longest is probably making your final decisions on what you want in the house.”

The site of Route 37 Homes is near the DisCOUNT/Nations billboard near the former Mitchell’s Construction.

Pamphlets and brochures are being prepared and will be available around the community in preparation for the April 24th open house and grand opening.