Minnesota First Time Home Buyers » Home Buying How To’s http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com Everything you need to know, when buying your first home Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:43:10 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/wp-content/mbp-favicon/icon_key.gif Minnesota First Time Home Buyers First Time Buyer Class – Thursday, February 9th, 2012 http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/upcoming-event/first-time-buyer-class-thursday-february-9th-2012/ http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/upcoming-event/first-time-buyer-class-thursday-february-9th-2012/#comments Fri, 20 Jan 2012 22:05:00 +0000 Steve Howe http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/?p=3139

*REGISTER HERE*

Are you thinking about buying your first home? Well, the first step towards home-ownership is getting educated about the process and finding a Team of Professionals you can trust and feel comfortable with.

That’s where we come in.  Join us for a very informative FREE 90 minute home-buying seminar where you will learn everything you need to know about buying your first house.  We’ll show you the importance of getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage, how to Search for Properties on the Internet, and how to become an Expert Negotiator in the home-purchasing process.

Rest assured, this is not a “Sell-a-thon” like some other seminars on home-buying.  It’s totally free, we have no products to sell you, and there are no contracts to sign.  We’re all about educating buyers in order to help you with the biggest financial decision of your life.  If you’re a fan of a low-pressure and laid-back atmosphere, you’ll feel right at home!

Our two experts - Steve Howe and Carrie Guarrero – have teamed up to give you the full spectrum of buying your first home in the Buyer’s Market today right here in MN.  Learn how getting the right loan can save you Thousands of dollars a year.

Some of the topics we will cover include:

If you are thinking about buying a home in the next 1 to 2 years we would love to answer your questions and help you make a solid home purchase, without paying too much.  Any potential First Time Home-buyers in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area of MN should come on down to one of our monthly seminars.

Here’s the info:

  • What - First Time Home Buyer Class
  • Where - Cornerstone Mortgage; 436 Gateway Blvd, Burnsville, MN
  • When - Thursday, February 9th, 6:30-8:00pm

Upcoming Dates for 2012: February 9, March 15, April 19, May 24, June 21, July 19, August 16, September 27, October 18, November 15, December 20

Space is limited so please REGISTER HERE.

IMPORTANT: All attendees will receive a free copy of their CREDIT REPORT and CREDIT SCORE courtesy of Cornerstone mortgage.  You must attend the class to receive your report.

***It should also be noted that this is NOT the Home Stretch course needed to qualify for some of the local first time buyer programs and grants.  Our suggestion is that you get educated about the process first, then get pre-approved and figure out if you will, in fact, be eligible to receive some sort of assistance that would require you to go to the Home Stretch Class.  That class is 8 hours long and there is a fee to attend.***

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]]> http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/upcoming-event/first-time-buyer-class-thursday-february-9th-2012/feed/ 0 Home Showings During The Winter Months http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/general-information/home-showings-during-the-winter-months/ http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/general-information/home-showings-during-the-winter-months/#comments Fri, 20 Jan 2012 06:47:13 +0000 Steve Howe http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/?p=3141 The nice thing about searching for homes in the wintertime is that you don’t have much competition from other buyers.  The bad thing is that it’s usually cold and dark when you’re out in showings, unless you happen to take off work or see homes on the weekend.


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]]> http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/general-information/home-showings-during-the-winter-months/feed/ 0 First Time Home Buyer Class – Thursday, January 19th, 2012 http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/upcoming-event/first-time-home-buyer-class-thursday-january-19th-2012/ http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/upcoming-event/first-time-home-buyer-class-thursday-january-19th-2012/#comments Fri, 13 Jan 2012 22:40:19 +0000 Steve Howe http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/?p=3010

*REGISTER HERE*

Are you thinking about buying your first home? Well, the first step towards home-ownership is getting educated about the process and finding a Team of Professionals you can trust and feel comfortable with.

That’s where we come in.  Join us for a very informative FREE 90 minute home-buying seminar where you will learn everything you need to know about buying your first house.  We’ll show you the importance of getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage, how to Search for Properties on the Internet, and how to become an Expert Negotiator in the home-purchasing process.

Rest assured, this is not a “Sell-a-thon” like some other seminars on home-buying.  It’s totally free, we have no products to sell you, and there are no contracts to sign.  We’re all about educating buyers in order to help you with the biggest financial decision of your life.  If you’re a fan of a low-pressure and laid-back atmosphere, you’ll feel right at home.

Our two experts - Steve Howe and Carrie Guarrero – have teamed up to give you the full spectrum of buying your first home in the Buyer’s Market today right here in MN.  Learn how getting the right loan can save you Thousands of dollars a year.

Some of the topics we will cover include:

If you are thinking about buying a home in the next 1 to 2 years we would love to answer your questions and help you make a solid home purchase, without paying too much.  Any potential First Time Home-buyers in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area of MN should come on down to one of our monthly seminars.

Here’s the info:

  • What - First Time Home Buyer Class
  • Where - Cornerstone Mortgage; 436 Gateway Blvd, Burnsville, MN
  • When - Thursday, January 19th, 6:30-8:00pm

Upcoming Dates for 2012: January 19, February 9, March 15, April 19, May 24, June 21, July 19, August 16, September 27, October 18, November 15, December 20

Space is limited so please REGISTER HERE.

IMPORTANT: All attendees will receive a free copy of their CREDIT REPORT and CREDIT SCORE courtesy of Cornerstone mortgage.  You must attend the class to receive your report.

***It should also be noted that this is NOT the Home Stretch course needed to qualify for some of the local first time buyer programs and grants.  Our suggestion is that you get educated about the process first, then get pre-approved and figure out if you will, in fact, be eligible to receive some sort of assistance that would require you to go to the Home Stretch Class.  That class is 8 hours long and there is a fee to attend.***

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]]> http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/upcoming-event/first-time-home-buyer-class-thursday-january-19th-2012/feed/ 1 Seller Paying Closing Costs? http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/buyers/seller-paying-closing-costs/ http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/buyers/seller-paying-closing-costs/#comments Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:59:21 +0000 Steve Howe http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/?p=3001 I’ve seen a lot of first time homebuyers searching online for the term “Seller Paying Closing Costs?” I’ve written a few articles in the past about asking the seller to pay some or most of your Closing Costs and Prepaid items.  But I figured it would be good to link to my best post on this topic of Seller Paid Closing Costs, and also remind home buyers that this is not a given in any transaction.

Some sellers will reject this if you ask for it, so make sure you aren’t 100% counting on this funding source of funding.

Always consult with your Mortgage Coach and Real Estate Agent when negotiating with a seller.

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]]> http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/buyers/seller-paying-closing-costs/feed/ 2 First-Time Homebuyer Class – Thursday, December 15th, 2011 http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/upcoming-event/first-time-homebuyer-class-thursday-december-15th-2011/ http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/upcoming-event/first-time-homebuyer-class-thursday-december-15th-2011/#comments Tue, 22 Nov 2011 06:06:13 +0000 Steve Howe http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/?p=2970

*REGISTER HERE*

Are you thinking about buying your first home? Well, the first step towards home-ownership is getting educated about the process and finding a Team of Professionals you can trust and feel comfortable with.

That’s where we come in.  Join us for a very informative FREE 90 minute home-buying seminar where you will learn everything you need to know about buying your first house.  We’ll show you the importance of getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage, how to Search for Properties on the Internet, and how to become an Expert Negotiator in the home-purchasing process.

Rest assured, this is not a “Sell-a-thon” like some other seminars on home-buying.  It’s totally free, we have no products to sell you, and there are no contracts to sign.  We’re all about educating buyers in order to help you with the biggest financial decision of your life.  If you’re a fan of a low-pressure and laid-back atmosphere, you’ll feel right at home.

Our two experts - Steve Howe and Carrie Guarrero – have teamed up to give you the full spectrum of buying your first home in the Buyer’s Market today right here in MN.  Learn how getting the right loan can save you Thousands of dollars a year.

Some of the topics we will cover include:

If you are thinking about buying a home in the next 1 to 2 years we would love to answer your questions and help you make a solid home purchase, without paying too much.  Any potential First Time Home-buyers in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area of MN should come on down to one of our monthly seminars.

Here’s the info:

  • What - First Time Home Buyer Class
  • Where - Cornerstone Mortgage; 436 Gateway Blvd, Burnsville, MN
  • When - Thursday, December 15th, 6:30-8:00pm

Upcoming Dates for 2011: December 15

Space is limited so please REGISTER HERE.

IMPORTANT: All attendees will receive a free copy of their CREDIT REPORT and CREDIT SCORE courtesy of Cornerstone mortgage.  You must attend the class to receive your report.

***It should also be noted that this is NOT the Home Stretch course needed to qualify for some of the local first time buyer programs and grants.  Our suggestion is that you get educated about the process first, then get pre-approved and figure out if you will, in fact, be eligible to receive some sort of assistance that would require you to go to the Home Stretch Class.  That class is 8 hours long and there is a fee to attend.***

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]]> http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/upcoming-event/first-time-homebuyer-class-thursday-december-15th-2011/feed/ 0 First Time Homebuyer Class – Thursday, November 17th, 2011 http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/upcoming-event/first-time-homebuyer-class-thursday-november-17th-2011/ http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/upcoming-event/first-time-homebuyer-class-thursday-november-17th-2011/#comments Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:07:28 +0000 Steve Howe http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/?p=2938

*REGISTER HERE*

Are you thinking about buying your first home? Well, the first step towards home-ownership is getting educated about the process and finding a Team of Professionals you can trust and feel comfortable with.

That’s where we come in.  Join us for a very informative FREE 90 minute home-buying seminar where you will learn everything you need to know about buying your first house.  We’ll show you the importance of getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage, how to Search for Properties on the Internet, and how to become an Expert Negotiator in the home-purchasing process.

Rest assured, this is not a “Sell-a-thon” like some other seminars on home-buying.  It’s totally free, we have no products to sell you, and there are no contracts to sign.  We’re all about educating buyers in order to help you with the biggest financial decision of your life.  If you’re a fan of a low-pressure and laid-back atmosphere, you’ll feel right at home.

Our two experts - Steve Howe and Carrie Guarrero – have teamed up to give you the full spectrum of buying your first home in the Buyer’s Market today right here in MN.  Learn how getting the right loan can save you Thousands of dollars a year.

Some of the topics we will cover include:

If you are thinking about buying a home in the next 1 to 2 years we would love to answer your questions and help you make a solid home purchase, without paying too much.  Any potential First Time Home-buyers in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area of MN should come on down to one of our monthly seminars.

Here’s the info:

  • What - First Time Home Buyer Class
  • Where - Cornerstone Mortgage; 436 Gateway Blvd, Burnsville, MN
  • When - Thursday, November 17th, 6:30-8:00pm

Upcoming Dates for 2011: November 17, December 15

Space is limited so please REGISTER HERE.

IMPORTANT: All attendees will receive a free copy of their CREDIT REPORT and CREDIT SCORE courtesy of Cornerstone mortgage.  You must attend the class to receive your report.

***It should also be noted that this is NOT the Home Stretch course needed to qualify for some of the local first time buyer programs and grants.  Our suggestion is that you get educated about the process first, then get pre-approved and figure out if you will, in fact, be eligible to receive some sort of assistance that would require you to go to the Home Stretch Class.  That class is 8 hours long and there is a fee to attend.***

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]]> http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/upcoming-event/first-time-homebuyer-class-thursday-november-17th-2011/feed/ 2 Success Story: Andrea http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/buyers/success-story-andrea/ http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/buyers/success-story-andrea/#comments Wed, 09 Nov 2011 20:42:37 +0000 Steve Howe http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/?p=2949

Success Story:  Andrea

I was first introduced to Andrea through a friend and of mine, Rick, who worked with her at a local bread company.  From our initial emails and phone conversations I could tell she was going to be a fun buyer to work with.  After meeting her, I was surprised with how mature she was for her age.  Only in her early 20’s, Andrea carried herself with a poise few 35 year-olds could pull off.  Even so, as a single female, it can be a little bit intimidating trying to search for your first home.  Think car repair shop stereotype…

Despite the Real Estate Industry’s efforts to clean up the fraud and deception from last decade’s housing bubble (and subsequent popping), there are still people in the business that would take advantage of a young client’s relative ignorance in order to profit financially.

Fortunately, I’ve had the pleasure of working with numerous young singles over the years, and was able to educate and prepare her on the home-buying process.  This was very helpful in setting up expectations and priorities for her home search.  Still, Andrea was unsure about where to look and what style of home would be the right fit for her.

We started to search for Single Family Homes in both Minneapolis and St. Paul, but after several property showings we decided to concentrate our efforts only in St. Paul.

Still, house after house just didn’t quite fit Andrea’s needs.  It began to feel as if no property would make the final cut.  So instead of throwing in the towel, we called an audible.  We mixed in a few Condominiums and Townhouses into our showings, and that did the trick!

We found a cute bank-owned Condo in a good area that fit Andrea’s needs perfectly.  Luckily there were no other offers on the property, so we did our research and made our offer to the bank.

After some negotiations with the bank (and the “blessing” from Andrea’s family), we had a deal in place and got everything ready for closing a few weeks later.  This included having a full home inspection, completing the appraisal, signing loan paperwork, and getting title work prepared.

Andrea was all smiles on closing day as she got the keys to her first home!  She wasted no time in getting moved in and putting her own personal touch on the place.  I truly had a blast working with her, and I’m grateful for the introduction from my friend Rick.

Who do YOU know who has questions about real estate?

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]]> http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/buyers/success-story-andrea/feed/ 1 Is it still a “Buyer’s Market”? http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/buyers/is-it-still-a-buyers-market/ http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/buyers/is-it-still-a-buyers-market/#comments Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:38:40 +0000 Steve Howe http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/?p=2934 While some people have been calling this the “best buyer’s market we’ve ever seen” some new housing data in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area may suggest the tables are starting to turn in favor of the seller.

A “buyer’s market” typically means there are more properties available for sale than willing buyers to purchase them.  This usually results in lower prices, longer market time, and better deals for buyers.  And while we’ve been in a very strong buyer’s market since late 2007 here in MN, the number of homes for sale is steadily declining right now, even with sustained high levels or short sales and foreclosures.

This Star Tribune Article from mid-October 2011 discusses some of the frustrations that buyers have been experiencing while trying to find the right home.

While the level of housing inventory is, in fact, declining, I would still argue that this is a great time to buy a home–especially if it is your first property.  Interest rates are at records lows in the U.S., and prices are below their historical averages.

Not sure what to think??  Talk to an experienced and knowledgeable Real Estate Agent and ask tons of questions about your individual situation.  You may find that you can buy for less than you currently pay in rent right now!

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]]> http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/buyers/is-it-still-a-buyers-market/feed/ 1 First Time Homebuyer Class – Thursday, October 20th 2011 http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/upcoming-event/first-time-homebuyer-class-thursday-october-20th-2011/ http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/upcoming-event/first-time-homebuyer-class-thursday-october-20th-2011/#comments Thu, 13 Oct 2011 09:35:34 +0000 Steve Howe http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/?p=2905

*REGISTER HERE*

Are you thinking about buying your first home? Well, the first step towards home-ownership is getting educated about the process and finding a Team of Professionals you can trust and feel comfortable with.



That’s where we come in.  Join us for a very informative FREE 90 minute home-buying seminar where you will learn everything you need to know about buying your first house.  We’ll show you the importance of getting Pre-Approved for a Mortgage, how to Search for Properties on the Internet, and how to become an Expert Negotiator in the home-purchasing process.

Rest assured, this is not a “Sell-a-thon” like some other seminars on home-buying.  It’s totally free, we have no products to sell you, and there are no contracts to sign.  We’re all about educating buyers in order to help you with the biggest financial decision of your life.  If you’re a fan of a low-pressure and laid-back atmosphere, you’ll feel right at home.

Our two presenters - Steve Howe and Carrie Guarrero – have teamed up to give you the full spectrum of buying your first home in the Buyer’s Market today right here in MN.  Learn how getting the right loan can save you Thousands of dollars a year.

Some of the topics we will cover include:

If you are thinking about buying a home in the next 1 to 2 years we would love to answer your questions and help you make a solid home purchase, without paying too much.  Any potential First Time Home-buyers in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area of MN should come on down to one of our monthly seminars.

Here’s the info:

  • What - First Time Home Buyer Class
  • Where - Cornerstone Mortgage; 436 Gateway Blvd, Burnsville, MN
  • When - Thursday, October 20th, 6:30-8:00pm

Upcoming Dates for 2011: October 20, November 17, December 15

Space is limited so please REGISTER HERE.

IMPORTANT: All attendees will receive a free copy of their CREDIT REPORT and CREDIT SCORE courtesy of Cornerstone mortgage.  You must attend the class to receive your report.

***It should also be noted that this is NOT the Home Stretch course needed to qualify for some of the local first time buyer programs and grants.  Our suggestion is that you get educated about the process first, then get pre-approved and figure out if you will, in fact, be eligible to receive some sort of assistance that would require you to go to the Home Stretch Class.  That class is 8 hours long and there is a fee to attend.***

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]]> http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/upcoming-event/first-time-homebuyer-class-thursday-october-20th-2011/feed/ 0 The True MLS Website http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/general-information/the-true-mls-website/ http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/general-information/the-true-mls-website/#comments Wed, 12 Oct 2011 18:31:02 +0000 Steve Howe http://www.minnesotafirsthome.com/?p=2922 Are you a first time homebuyer looking for properties online?  Be careful where you look–you may not be getting the whole story.

The only way to get all the updated information on each property is by using a Realtor, and setting up a search through the MLS system.  All the other websites have flaws to them when searching for homes online–even this one!  :)

Contact me to get a search setup today, and start seeing the big picture.

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