“Hey, good morning, neighbor!” and “Welcome to the neighborhood!”

Such are the warm words that have greeted Leslie Carrasquillo since she became a first-time homeowner this September in Palmer. With thanks to Way Finders’ classes and support—plus the mortgage she secured through Berkshire Bank and the downpayment assistance grant she received through the STASH program, offered by the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance.

“Every time I come into Palmer, it feels like a town in a movie. I love it, my neighbors are awesome. They made me feel welcome when I first got here,” said Carrasquillo, a lead care coordinator for Behavioral Health Network and single parent. “I’d wanted a change, a different scenery. I’m looking forward not only to living here, but also to raising my daughter here.”

Her four-year-old, Avialeigha, is settling in nicely. She has an impressive fleet of ride-on toys lined up outside the house. Inside, her bed is perched atop its own little playhouse—with kitchen, table, and chairs. There’s a Hello Kitty rug and pink fluffy curtains. A mini ball pit and a trampoline.

“The first project was my daughter’s room, I definitely had to get her completely settled in order to be able to do anything else,” said Carrasquillo. “It’s all done, except for some Hello Kitty things on the wall.”

“I was renting a room in my cousin’s house for three years before I moved here, and I really appreciate her for everything. But living in one room with a toddler and then eventually my doggy brother, who was my mom’s dog. It was just too tight, I felt claustrophobic,” said Carrasquillo, who started her homebuying journey in 2022 when she first took Way Finders’ First-time Homebuyer Workshop and Landlord Workshop. “Now I walk around my house, I don’t know what to do because I’m so accustomed to that little space. I’m like, ‘What should I do first?’”

Her spacious two-family home, which was built in 1900, caught her by surprise. Her mother, who passed away four years ago, had always rented a duplex and Carrasquillo had that vision for herself.

“And then one morning, my realtor sent me a listing with only one house on it. And I was like, ‘Wow, that’s pretty.’ It was a two-family, up and down. I came here and I loved it. There was something about this house in this town that felt so good,” said Carrasquillo, who enjoys singing and song writing. “We have the first floor. I’m going to be a landlord for the first time, that’s big.”

Carrasquillo gained an overview of basic residential property management in Massachusetts by taking Way Finders’ workshop for landlords, which is held every other month.

“It definitely got me ready for the pros and cons of being a landlord, and how to be aware of the responsibilities. It was informative, but it didn’t scare me,” said Carrasquillo. “Being a good landlord is really important to me.”

As Carrasquillo reflects on her journey, the word that keeps coming up is “ready.” She was ready for more space. Ready to be on her own again. Ready for a change of scene. And yet, there were nerves.

Carrasquillo carried that confidence with her as she met with her realtor with Executive Real Estate and her loan officer/lender with Berkshire Bank—where she again heard that she was “beyond ready.” And then came even more excitement.

“Mariola is the one who informed me that I may qualify for the STASH program. I wouldn’t even have known about this if it weren’t for her!” said Carrasquillo, of the financial literacy program that’s open to first-generation and first-time homebuyers who earn below 100% of area median income. Those who complete the 8-hour education program and find a suitable home anywhere in Massachusetts are eligible to receive a $20,000 grant, based on availability of funds.

Participants in the program were asked what date they aspired to move into their home. Carrasquillo chose September 10. Her actual closing date? September 19.

“The STASH program worked out great. It gave me a goal. You needed to save an additional $2,000 to qualify for the grant,” said Carrasquillo. “I knew I had to be quick, because the program only had so much money to give. But I didn’t feel pressured, I felt motivated to be more on top of everything. It was like, ‘What else is stopping me but my mind? I’m doing it by this date.’”

The STASH program aims to help Massachusetts close the racial homeownership and wealth gaps. First-generation homebuyers may not have the “Bank of Mom and Dad,” the program website notes, “and STASH can be that resource to help put first-generation homebuyers on a level playing field with those who have intergenerational assets.”

“I thank Mariola for being with me through the whole process. She was so excited for me. I honestly appreciate her for making me feel very confident,” said Carrasquillo. “Since I moved here, I feel at peace. I’m homey, I like to be home. This is a new start to a new journey for us.”