She’s one of the first! Meet Nicole Santos, trailblazer of the Savings Match Homeownership Program
Congratulations to new first-time homeowner Nicole Santos!
Way Finders’ Compliance Specialist Nicole Santos has an eye for detail. In her role, which she was promoted to in 2023, Santos makes sure staff are doing their work according to program regulations.
“I audit files to make sure the calculations and paperwork are correct in each one,” said Santos, a 2026 graduate of Way Finders’ Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program. “We also prepare trainings for new programs and regulations that come through.”
She employed her eagle eyes during her fast-paced house search in early 2026: Over a few weeks, she looked at nine homes and made offers on four. Her search came to a successful “closing” in April.
“It was built in the 1950s, it’s a two-bedroom ranch with a partially finished basement. It’s in the perfect neighborhood because I wanted to stay local, in Springfield. I wanted to be close to the highways and close to work,” said Santos, a mother of four who shares her new home with her two youngest children, ages 16 and 18. “Everything’s just been good so far. Being a homeowner makes me feel stable. I feel free, not worried about rent increases, especially with all the changes in the economy. And I can build wealth off it eventually and leave that to my kids.”
We caught up with Santos as she had another happy occasion on the horizon.
“My youngest daughter is graduating from Holyoke High School on Friday!” said Santos, who is among the first people to graduate from the Savings Match Homeownership Program (SMHP), available to eligible FSS participants, a distinction she wasn’t previously aware of. “So, I’m one of the first? Wow. Oh, great.”
Santos heard about this program shortly after she joined the Way Finders Rental Assistance team in 2021 as a program representative. She was immediately drawn to it, as were two of her friends.
“It just got our attention! Everything is included, the credit help, the escrow savings, the savings match. We all joined at the same time, and I’m the first of our little trio to purchase a home,” said Santos, who is sharing her story in hopes of motivating others, including coworkers. “I can be there to push them to be next. For me, homeownership always felt like something that was impossible, or so far in the future. For anyone who doubts themselves, I want them to know that it is possible.”
Much of the doubt Santos felt revolved around her credit.
“My error, back in the day, was being ignorant and young with credit cards. Not knowing what I was doing with them,” said Santos, who talks to her kids often about credit, and advises they start slowly. “The program really opened the door for me to fix my credit, by giving me insight on what to do and who to call. I worked hard to get into payment plans, pay off some of the collections. And moving forward, to keep my balance under 30 percent of my available credit. And that really helped increase my score eventually, over the years. It doesn’t happen from one day to the other. But it is doable.”
“Nicole is an inspiration to others who are working toward their own dreams of homeownership,” said FSS Program Specialist Sonia Colon, who supported her journey. “Through every challenge, she remained focused. Her hard work and commitment have led her to this incredible milestone.”
Through the Savings Match Homeownership Program, Santos opened a new account where for every $1 she saved, the state matched it with $3—up to a total state match of $12,000. With the caveat that the savings can only be put toward the purchase of a home. She also received a $5,000 homeownership bonus for relinquishing her housing choice voucher, plus down payment assistance from the city of Springfield.
“The match program is good! It’s a really big help. As long as you get it started and just let it grow. I set up a direct deposit from my paycheck into the match account,” said Santos, who met with Senior Loan Officer Ben Cartagena of Citizens in the first year of the program.
Compliance Specialist Nicole Santos: “For anyone who doubts themselves, I want them to know that it is possible.”
“Normally I go with them to meet the lender that first time. It’s just for educational purposes. To see where they are,” said Colon. “I see it as a motivation! People realize that with the right organization and structure, they can do it.”
When Santos ran into a stressor after making an offer on her home, Cartagena rallied to help.
“We sent the offer before the open house was even over,” said Santos, who offered the amount she’d been preapproved for. “Then it was kind of a back and forth. The seller wanted more. I reached out to Ben, who was able to rework the numbers and adjust the pre-approval. It was just amazing how everything worked out. And with my Massachusetts Housing Partnership ONE Mortgage, I pay no personal mortgage insurance on my 30-year fixed loan.”
While she’s taking a beat to bask in the glow of her success, Santos—who enjoys spending time with her adult children, her dog Chanel, and her family—does have other hopes in mind.
“Let’s see what can be next! Maybe getting a college degree, that has been on my mind. It’s never too late to learn and expand myself,” said Santos, who also had gratitude on her mind. “Sonia, you really know what you do, and you do it because you love it. You help us achieve our goals! Your support means everything to me.”
Congratulations to you, Nicole Santos and family!