A promising new start
Imagine being so ready to take the plunge into homeownership that you make an offer on a house without ever stepping foot inside. Because you know exactly what you can afford and what you most value—and you’re pre-approved by a bank you trust, Citizens. And because you’d made a promise to your kids.
“Literally, I didn’t see the house in person until inspection day. It’s my dream home, the right location, the right space,” said Lilian Ayala, of the two-family home in West Springfield, built in 1890, that she purchased in summer 2023. “I remember the day I saw the listing, I just happened to look online before we left to go camping, and there it was. I said, ‘West Springfield? Two blocks down from where I currently live? Well underpriced? Just shy of an acre? Look at that yard space! Oh, my goodness!’”
No matter that her car was packed for a weekend trip with her children—Isabella, age 11, and Ethan, age 5—that conflicted with the open house. Or that she couldn’t take time off from work that Monday, the day bids were due.
“My mom and sister were my eyes and ears during the open house, they took pictures. And I said, ‘It’s the right location, let’s do an offer!’” said Ayala, who works for Pioneer Valley Cardiology, currently doing registration. “It needs some TLC, but overall, it’s in great condition. I have tenants on the first floor, we live on the second floor. I love the layout, we have a loft that overlooks the living room. My kids love throwing stuffed animals down from there. Outside we have a trampoline, a garden, we do a lot of cooking out, hosting meals. We spend most afternoons outside in the yard.”
Getting to this relaxed place—as that of a landlord and homeowner—didn’t seem possible at the start of her journey. During the pandemic, Ayala found herself going through a separation while caring for her children. Without a job or savings, and unable to find an apartment, she felt trapped. Uncertain. Hopeless.
With her parents’ support, Ayala started working and, a year later, began to pursue her dream of purchasing a multifamily home. Location was the driving factor. “I wanted to minimize the emotional impact of uprooting my children, I didn’t want to take them to another town or school. I wanted to find a home in the same surroundings, where we could walk the same streets, be with the same friends. And it was important for me to stay close to my kids’ father.”
The confidence to make such a bid, virtually sight unseen, came from both preparation and education. Ayala was referred to Way Finders’ First-time Homebuyer Workshop by Senior Loan Officer Ben Cartagena of Citizens, as it is a requirement of the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) ONE Mortgage program (see a video by MHP featuring Ayala and other ONE Mortgage homebuyers).
“It was eye-opening! I took the class in Spanish over three Wednesdays, it was convenient for my work schedule,” said Ayala, who also received a $25,000 grant through MassDREAMS—Delivering Real Equity and Mortgage Stability—for down payment assistance and closing costs. “It was led by Homeownership Specialist Arcides Nieves. I kept thinking, ‘Are you related to me? Have we known each other for a long time?’ I know there were like 30 or 40 other people in the class, but I felt like they were doing it just for me. It was like having a friend walk you through a difficult path in the dark with a flashlight.”
Beyond being informative about all the steps in the homebuying process, the class helped Ayala feel empowered to know her options—and to say no if someone wasn’t working out. Which is why she encourages prospective homebuyers to take the class sooner than later.
“It’s never too early in the process to get the information you need and to choose the right people,” said Ayala, who aspires to go back to school this fall in pursuit of a career as a nurse or medical assistant. “The class had speakers from all different agencies and companies who shared firsthand experience and knowledge about subjects, like what a loan meant, what the requirements are, what happens during a home inspection. They had an inspector who had over 20 years’ experience, he was hilarious. I ended up using a lot of the people that I met.”
Ayala also has a direct message for Nieves and the Housing Education Services team at Way Finders:
“Many of the people in the class I took were all set, they had the financial help they needed, they were just there for the requirement. But there were others of us there who were desperate for help, who were drowning, who were trapped in a difficult relationship, who were in a divorce and have children and were on the verge of going to a shelter. We appreciate the hard work you do every day. It is more than just helping the community. You are helping people live. My home is where life started for me again, I will be forever grateful to the people who helped me provide secure shelter to my family. When I think of Way Finders, I think of compassion and equal opportunity—and helping people get back on their feet with dignity.”