MAHA launches partnership to help Boston homebuyers navigate their first purchase

Dorchester, MA – Navigating the process of buying a home in the Boston real estate market can be daunting but the Dorchester-based Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance is offering to help. Graduates from MAHA’s first time home buying classes will be able to take advantage of a unique partnership. Starting in April, the non-profit MAHA will offer dedicated real estate services to qualified homebuyers and homeowners who graduated from their classes through a unique partnership with real estate agent and Hyde Park resident Alexander Jean-Baptiste.

Through this unique partnership, first time homebuyers will have the opportunity to have Alex Jean-Baptiste serve as their dedicated buyers agent. In doing so, MAHA and Jean-Baptiste fill a need for those who might otherwise navigate the homebuying journey without receiving full support throughout the entire process. Support for this joint venture is coming from the City of Boston, Massachusetts Housing Partnership and Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston.

“We are grateful to our partners in helping us get this fantastic new service off the ground, said Esther Dupie, MAHA board president. “MAHA homebuyers will now have the option to work with an agent exclusively focused on the needs of first-time and first-generation homebuyers.”

“The Department of Neighborhood Development is excited to be partnering with MAHA on its MAHA Homes initiative,” said Sheila Dillon, City of Boston’s Housing Chief. “The initiative will help support Mayor Walsh's Housing 2030 Plan and his efforts to increase homeownership in the city of Boston, particularly for first generation homebuyers.”

Since 1991, MAHA has graduated over 31,500 people from comprehensive pre- and post-purchase education services. MAHA’s campaigns have resulted in at least two benefits for home owners and home buyers. The establishment and expansion of the discounted interest rate ONE Mortgage program for first time home buyers (administered by Massachusetts Housing Partnership) now offered by 45 lenders and the passage of the Community Preservation Act in Boston in 2016 resulting in $20 million per year for affordable housing, parks, and historic preservation.

“First-time buyers will be well served by the full range of services available through MAHA,” said Alex Jean-Baptiste. “and I’m glad to be able to partner with them.”

MAHA partners with the City of Boston to offer Homebuying 101, Homeowner 201 and Condo Owner 202 classes to prospective first-time homebuyers and recent homeowners. These classes serve Boston residents from all neighborhoods and are available on weekday evenings, weekday mornings, and weekends. To register for a class go to www.mahahome.org/homeownership-university-take-class or www.boston.gov/departments/neighborhood-development/boston-home-center-classes.