Seann and Suzanne had worked hard, built their savings and looked at homes for sale for years. Thanks to their persistence and with the help of an affordable mortgage loan and down payment assistance from MassHousing, they are now settling into a home of their own in Ipswich.

The family obtained their MassHousing mortgage loan and down payment assistance working with Elle Scali, a loan officer at Salem Five Bank, one of MassHousing's top partner lenders. 

"Our family couldn't be more thankful to MassHousing, Salem Five, and the wonderful people in both of these organizations who helped make buying our first home a reality," Seann and Suzanne said.

MassHousing provides down payment assistance of up to $30,000 in every city and town in Massachusetts, and up to $50,000 in 29 select communities. That down payment assistance is only available with MassHousing mortgage loans, which feature competitive, fixed interest rates and have no hidden fees or surprises. In addition, loans insured by MassHousing come with MIPlus, a unique mortgage insurance that helps borrowers pay their mortgage in case of job loss.

"Despite saving and looking for a house for many years, buying a home was still out of reach for us," Seann and Suzanne added. "The [mortgage] program through MassHousing made the difference."

Seann and Suzanne stressed the importance of Elle's role. "Her knowledge and experience was, without a doubt, an integral and essential part of our success in purchasing a home," they said. "People like her and programs like this can truly make a difference in people's lives. Our family is proof of that."