Your first home, without the guesswork.
What you can actually afford, what the process looks like, and what nobody tells you about closing costs. We've walked hundreds of first-time buyers through it.
Four things to know before you start.
Get pre-approved before you look
It tells you your real budget and makes sellers take your offer seriously. We'll connect you with a lender who explains, not sells.
You need less down than you think
3–5% on many conventional loans, and Minnesota has first-time-buyer programs. Closing costs run another 2–3% — plan for them.
Inspection is not optional
Every house has something. We'll tell you what matters and what to ask the seller to fix or credit.
Buy the house, not the staging
Furniture leaves. Location, layout, roof, and mechanicals stay. We'll keep you focused.
Five stages. You'll always know which one you're in.
First conversation
Budget, timeline, must-haves versus nice-to-haves. We'll connect you with a lender if you don't have one.
Pre-approval
A real number from a lender — usually 24–48 hours.
The search
A saved search built around your list, plus homes we hear about before they list.
Offer and inspection
We'll show you the comps and tell you what we'd write. Then what matters on the report.
Closing
Final walkthrough, numbers checked twice, keys.
Straight answers.
How much do I need for a down payment?
Often 3–5% on a conventional loan. FHA is 3.5%. VA and USDA can be 0%. Minnesota Housing has down-payment assistance for qualified buyers.
What credit score do I need?
Many programs start around 620; better rates above 740. If you're not there yet, we'll connect you with a lender who can map a plan.
Do I pay you as the buyer?
We'll go through exactly how our compensation works in the first conversation, in writing, before you sign anything.
How long does it take?
Once you're under contract, 30–45 days to close. Finding the home is the variable — a few weeks to a few months.
Ready when you are.
A first conversation costs nothing and commits you to nothing.
Schedule a consultation