Maryann and Matt

Maryann Sadowski was looking for an apartment to rent, not a house to purchase. But when she and boyfriend Matt Oneil compared rent to a mortgage payment, it became clear that homeownership was the way to go. An Army Veteran who was stationed in Germany, Texas and Korea, Maryann used an affordable MassHousing Mortgage loan through Academy Mortgage to purchase her home in South Hadley.

The low up-front costs allowed Maryann and Matt to renovate the bathroom before moving in. They’re now hard at work updating the kitchen.

“It fit them perfectly, because nothing else did,” said loan officer Eileen Hennessey.

Now settled in her new home, Maryann enjoys photographing the wildlife that frequents her yard and spending time with her grandson, who is a big fan of the property.

“It’s been a plus-plus all the way around,” she said.