Taking a First Step IS Hard!

Taking a first step is hard. No matter what you are attempting: Learning to ride a bike; Learning to swim; Learning to drive a car; Learning a foreign language. Even setting up an extensive vacation can be a challenge with hotel reservations, airline tickets, passports, car rentals etc. A while back, I had a REALTOR® friend ask me how to blog. I gave her quick rundown on how to get going fast, but her response gave me pause. Where can I take a class? Is there  a book? Last I heard, she was heading to the library and months later, still no blog.  

The First Step IS Hard--But doesn't have to be...

First time home buyers often feel this way too and it’s usually because they don’t know where to start. Many folks have only one experience with buying a big ticket item…a new car. And we all can remember how much “FUN” that experience was!  Buying a home should be easier!  Because when you purchase a house you have your own REALTOR® in your corner working for YOU! That used car salesman was working for his manager in the back office; the one who had to approve your offer. On a home purchase, I am with my client negotiating the counter offer.  What a vastly different experience than buying a car and the salesman leaves you alone in a cubicle with a cold cup of coffee waiting for an answer. 

First time home buyers who want to learn more about the process generally start by scouring the internet for answers. There is a load of information out there…but is it GOOD information? How does it relate to buying a Minnesota home? Will the programs outlined on the website visited work if you want to buy a home in Washington County, Anoka County or is it only for a specific area or state?
Often I am asked by friends and relatives where potential home buyers can take a class to learn more about buying a home. Most people need a class that will fit their schedule and get them out searching for their dream home very quickly.
Well, I will let you in on a little secret. First time home buyers do not need to sit in a class to learn to buy a house. There isn’t a class requirement to write a purchase agreement. If you want to learn the process, contact me. I can walk you through the process and put you on a fast track to purchasing your first home. This will enable you to take advantage of the extremely low interest rates that are available this fall too. As an experienced and professional REALTOR® with hundreds of extremely happy clients, I can educate you quickly on the process of buying your first home and at NO out of pocket cost to you!

Ready to take the FIRST Step? Request your**FREE** HOME BUYER SUCCESS PACKAGE. As soon as I receive your information, I email your guide to download.  Plus if you have any additional or immediate questions, feel free to call me.  I’m happy to help!

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me, Teri Eckholm of BOARDMAN Realty, a call or visit my website  FREE Home Value Report. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.
 
Copyright 2015 www.terieckholm.com

Payment Assistance for First Time Home Buyers in Minnesota

Summer is almost here and wouldn't it be wonderful to enjoy a barbeque in your OWN backyard? Interest rates are still very good but what if you don't have a down payment? If you are thinking of buying a home in Ramsey County, there might be a chance to make your dream home a reality. First time home buyers in Ramsey County have amazing, but often overlooked opportunities with first time buyer funds. If you qualify under the specific qualifying guidelines you could take advantage of down payment assistance and access to newly remodeled homes in Ramsey County. It is very important to find a loan officer or mortgage broker that knows all the details of the programs to take advantage of these unique opportunities.

Minnesota Down Payment Assistance

There is an excellent program for down payment assistance available in the Ramsey County area. Ramsey County includes the communities of St. Paul, Maplewood, Roseville, Shoreview, New Brighton, Little Canada, North St Paul, Vadnais Heights and White Bear Lake. The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency offers a program called StartUP which can be used for either up to 3% or $3,000 worth of assistance. This StartUP down payment assistance is a second mortgage on your home but has no interest and requires no payments until you pay off the home. One of the unique features of the funds in this program is that it can often be used in addition with other assistance programs.

Down Payment Assistance through Ramsey County

Ramsey County offers another great down payment assistance option for Minnesota first time home buyers up to $10,000. The FirstHome assistance program can be used with many loan programs such as VA, FHA, and conventional loans. The program can also be used with the StartUP assistance from Minnesota Housing if you qualify. Like all other programs Ramsey County has certain qualifications that the Ramsey County first time home buyer must meet. Meeting with an loan officer familiar with the program for your pre-approval is essential as they can help you determine if you are eligible for the Ramsey County FirstHome program.

Neighborhood Stabilization Program in Ramsey County Qualified homebuyers also have an opportunity to purchase newly remodeled and rehabilitated Ramsey County homes. These homes are amazingly updated and give the first time homebuyer a perfect start to home ownership. They are reserved only for first time buyers that meet the income guidelines outlined by the Ramsey County program. Several of these homes come on the market every year in communities throughout the county.

Homebuyer Classes are Required in Ramsey County

Most of these programs for down payment assistance will require that you attend a class for first time home buyers called the Home Stretch Workshop. Don’t worry…these are not like high school classes. There is no test at the end. They are fun and very informative.

You will need to plan for a full day of classroom training. There are many dates available to accommodate home buyers schedules including evenings and weekend options. Verify that the workshop you register for will satisfies both the state and local community program guidelines if you are using more than one program. 

Ramsey County down payment assistance programs can be used with a variety of mortgage loans. Most typically they would be used with an FHA loans to help with the 3.5% down payment. However, if you already have a sizable down payment but need some help getting to 20% down to eliminate the need for mortgage insurance, it is possible these programs could help if you meet the income restrictions.  If you are a veteran, these programs can also work with a VA loan if you meet the qualifications.

Information about Ramsey County

Ramsey County is one of the eleven counties in the Minneapolis/ St Paul metropolitan area. It is the home to the state capital of Minnesota, St. Paul. With a population of over 500,000 it is one of the most densely populated counties in the state if not the entire U.S. First time home buyers  in Minnesota can benefit from the Ramsey County First Home program with down payment assistance up to $10,000.

First Step In Buying a Home: Get Preapproved!

For most Minnesota first time buyers the next question is, where do I start? Your very first step towards buying your first home is to get pre-approved for a first time buyer's mortgage. Contact me and I can direct you to a local loan officer that understands and is approved to work with these special programs. Your mortgage partner will counsel you through the pre-approval process and help determine which programs you will qualify for. Once you know exactly how much you qualify for, we can start a home search in a price range with payments well within your budget.

 
Copyright 2014 www.terieckholm.com

New Year's Resolution for 2012: Resolve to Save for a First Home!

In a few days we will all be turning the calendar page and entering 2012. After the champagne corks pop and the big ball drops in Times Square, it will be time for resolutions. If you want to be a first time home buyer in 2012 maybe it is time to set a financial resolution or goal. If despite all the gloom, doom of the foreclosures during the past several years you still plan to own a homeowner one day soon, it's time to start saving! 

Those dreaming of buying a first home are in very good company. According to a CNNMoney.com article, Housing Bust? So What? We Still Want to Own, over half of Americans still want to own their own home. In fact, over a quarter of Americans indicated are even MORE likely to buy real estate since the foreclosure crisis. 

Does this surprise you? Not me. As a REALTOR® who has sold homes during this entire decade of rising and falling housing prices, one thing has remained constant: People prefer the freedom of owning their own house and piece of land. Whether it is a multi-level on a corner lot in Shoreview, a rambler on acreage in Anoka County or 50 feet of sandy lakeshore on  Forest Lake, people want to OWN! The biggest change (and reason I believe that there has been a rise in wanting to own) is simple. Owing a home is affordable again!

Home prices have started to stabilize and even inch upwards in some communities at the lower price points.  But overall housing prices in the Twin Cities remain at all time lows. This past year we saw first time buyer and starter priced homes start to sell again. Inventory is low for starter homes and demand is picking up. Though most communities are seeing significantly lower housing prices than a few years ago, prices are starting to edge up again. Record low interest rates combined with low prices meant that there was a really opportunity for the first time home buyer in 2011 and it will continue into 2012 too!

But like last year, first time homebuyers  must have a down payment. It is also important to have some cash reserved for repairs, remodeling and of course new furnishings for the new house! So what is the best way for a first time buyer to begin saving?

Copyright 2011 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/