That's the philosophy of Cathy Mercado, Executive Director of the Merrimack Valley Housing Partnership, a non-profit that provides first-time homebuyer classes. In this inspiring and engaging episode, Cathy shares her own personal story of overcoming life challenges, becoming a home owner, and dedicating her life to helping people with modest incomes realize their dreams of owning their own home. Cathy has helped hundreds of home buyers and she and her team can help you! And thanks to Zoom, whether you live in the Merrimack Valley or in Boston, Worcester, Springfield or anywhere else, you can take a homebuyer education course from these dedicated professionals who are with you every step of the way.

MassHousing

”We‘re with you every step of the way”

"Brutal honesty" is what you will get from one of MassHousing's top loan originators, Jamie Pollard. And when it comes to borrowing money for a home purchase, you don't want anything less. Jamie Pollard talks about his own family history and how it inspired him to start a career helping people with modest incomes buy their first home. Learn how Jamie establishes trust and rapport with people and gives them the tools to help them make smart choices. This is real talk, not a sales pitch, which is what a buyer needs in today's heated market.

Episode 14 "Brutal Honesty"

The Massachusetts real estate market is hot. It's tough out there for buyers. Bidding wars and high prices can be intimidating. We talk about how to empower yourself with down payment assistance programs, a strong credit score and knowledge of what exactly you pay for every month when you write that mortgage check to your lender. 

Episode 13: Stay grounded during a hot real estate market. Empower yourself with down payment assistance, a better credit score and more!

Join us for a conversation with Natasha Boye, one of our team of homebuying experts at MassHousing. We talk about the rise in the number of people taking home buyer education classes; why there are so many home sales during a pandemic; the steps to take if you want to buy this year or next year; the pros and cons of buying a multifamily home and much more!

Episode 12: An interview with Natasha Boye, one of our homebuying experts

One of our home buying experts, Angelo Nuby, talks about MassHousing's newest down payment assistance initiative, which provides as much as $25,000 in down payment aid for qualified buyers. We also talk about what it means to have good credit and what is a good credit score. Oh, and why should you take a home buyer education class? Angelo will tell you. 

Episode 11: Down payment assistance, credit scores and why you should take a homebuyer education class soon!

We finish up the series about what it is like to buy a house during the pandemic. Hear a first-hand account of the final walk-through of the property; the closing at the attorney's office; the move, and what it is like when the process is over. Buying a home in the pandemic requires safety and few extra steps but is doable!

Episode 10: Buying a home in a pandemic, Part 3 (final)

It can be done! The journey toward buying a home in a pandemic continues. The anticipation of whether or not the offer will be accepted. The home inspection. The purchase and sale agreement. We negotiate all of the usual elements of the home buying process, but in the era of COVID-19.  Come along and learn about the basics of home buying, and hear a first-hand account of buying during this unusual time. 

Episode 9: Buying a home in a pandemic Part 2

Come along on the journey to home ownership during the pandemic. Your host is right in the middle of buying a home in these unusual times. Learn what’s different, and what’s the same. In this installment, we look at listings, tour homes while wearing masks, find the right house and make an offer. Follow along!

Episode 8: Buying a home during the pandemic

In this short, fast-paced episode - recorded just before Massachusetts began the state of emergency for the pandemic - Monique continues her home buying quest, asking many of the questions you would ask. She gets helpful answers from Pam Balboni, one of MassHousing's home buying experts. Monique and Pam talk about finding a lender to work with and what materials you will need to give to the lender; pre-qualification and pre-approval; down payment assistance; job loss protection insurance; buying and paying for a "fixer-upper" and how sometimes you can get a seller of a home to pay for your closing costs.  

Episode 7: More of Monique's first-time home buyer questions answered!

Join us for the first of a four-part series in which Monique Gibbs, who wants to buy her first home, talks with different home buying experts at MassHousing. Monique will be asking many of the same questions you have as you start out on your home buying journey. In this episode, Monique talks with Lisa Fiandaca, MassHousing's Director of Home Ownership Production, about how to find a home buyer education class, how to find a Realtor and more.

Episode 6: Getting started! Finding a home buyer class, a Realtor and more

A wide ranging interview with Elise Bare of RMS, one of MassHousing's top lender partners. Learn all about what to expect during the financing process and the right way to go about finding a home you feel you can truly afford.

Episode 5: The loan process and an interview with Loan Officer Elise Bare

Episode 4: All about home buyer education

A discussion with Mounzer Aylouche, MassHousing's Vice President for Home Ownership, about common mistakes first-time home buyers make and how you can avoid them.

"Home at Last in Mass" Podcast Episode 3: Common mistakes on the home buying journey

We discuss how to know if you are ready to consider buying your first home.

"Home at Last in Mass" Podcast Episode 2: Are you ready to buy a home?

An introduction to MassHousing, (the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency) which provides affordable home mortgage loans to qualified home buyers in Massachusetts.  Especially geared toward the first time home buyer.

MassHousing's "Home at Last in Mass" Podcast Episode 1

Information and motivation for how to buy a home in Massachusetts. Geared toward the first-time home buyer.

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