After five years of working toward her goal of owning a home for her and her family, all of Glenda's efforts paid off.

Glenda recently bought a condominium for her family in Pittsfield using a MassHousing Mortgage.

"The journey was pretty long with a lot of sacrifices," she said. "I had been looking to buy the past five years. I did all my research and did what I had to do to get a good interest rate and build up my credit and savings. This came with a lot of prayer."

Glenda had rented her entire life but wanted the stability and opportunity that owning a home would bring her and her family. She worked to improve her education and pursued a better career. She began working down her credit card debt and other expenses to improve her credit score, while also saving what she could toward buying a home. An important part of her preparation was taking a CHAPA-certified online homeownership education course with MassHousing-approved homebuyer counseling agency Financial Education Associates.

"That was very helpful," Glenda said of the homebuying course. "I learned there are many more things involved than just the mortgage and the interest rate."

After looking at two homes and putting an offer in for one, Glenda was not deterred when her offer was not accepted.

"I took it as God's will," she said. "I did the right research and made the right decisions and that is what finally led to me buying. Also being a single parent, it was very challenging."

When the offer on her Pittsfield home developed through Habitat for Humanity was accepted, Glenda used a MassHousing first mortgage with the Agency's Down Payment Assistance through Greylock Federal Credit Union, and additional financing and down payment assistance through Habitat for Humanity.

Glenda had purchased a car with Greylock financing and was already familiar with the credit union.

"I had bought a car with them and like buying the house, it was a lot of paperwork, but it went smoothly. I appreciate the opportunity. Not many states have down payment assistance," said Glenda.

"Greylock Federal Credit Union values our partnerships with MassHousing and Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity," said Greylock Senior Vice President Lending Officer Tara McCluskey. "Both have been strong, trusted partners in expanding access to homeownership in our community. By working together, we are able to combine financing, support, and local expertise to help more families like Glenda's overcome barriers and move into safe, stable homes."

Glenda also noted that another attractive benefit to using MassHousing was the Agency's MIPlus mortgage insurance that will pay a borrower's principal and interest payments for up to six months in the event of a job loss.

"If I lose my job, [MassHousing] will assist with paying the mortgage. There is less stress knowing that benefit is there," she said.

Glenda said hard work and her faith allowed for her successful homebuying journey.

"The Lord did a lot of it, and it was me was putting my faith into it," said Glenda. "The first offer fell through but that turned out to be good fortune because we got better [interest] rates and this home was cheaper."

Several months after moving in, the reality of owning their home is sinking in for Glenda and her family.

"The experience going through the whole process was lengthy but worth it," said Glenda. "There are times I say 'I'm a homeowner' and I can't believe it. But I can say this is mine. It comes with a lot of sacrifices and priorities. Everything worth it is never easy, but it is possible."

Her advice for others working to buy their first home is stick to the commitment.

"It comes with commitment and really wanting a home," she said. "You want to pursue your goal and pray and ask God for direction. That is what worked for me."

Ultimately it was her children that kept her focus through her five-year homebuying journey.

"They were as happy as I was and we like it here," said Glenda. "For single mothers, it's really hard when you want the best for your kids but have only one income. It's very challenging. But you can do it if look for the right resources and just commit to being a homeowner."