First-time buyers
You don't need to know anything yet. That's the point.
Every homeowner started at zero. The difference between confused and confident is one good advisor and about an hour of plain-English education — both free, both right here.
Myth-busting
Six "facts" that stop first-time buyers — and the actual truth
Tap any myth. The strikethrough is intentional.
You need 20% down to buy a home.
The truth: Conventional loans allow as little as 3% down for qualified first-time buyers, FHA allows 3.5%, and VA and USDA loans can be 0% down. 20% down avoids mortgage insurance — that's all it does. It is not the price of admission.
You need perfect credit.
The truth: Conventional programs generally start around 620, and FHA guidelines can go lower. Great credit gets better pricing, but "not perfect" and "not possible" are very different things — and a good advisor can map the path from one to the other.
You should wait for rates to drop.
The truth: Nobody can time rates — not Justin, not the news, not your uncle. The honest framework: if the payment works for your budget today and the home fits your life, buying can make sense. If rates fall later, refinancing is a normal, planned-for move.
Getting pre-approved hurts your credit.
The truth: A mortgage credit pull typically dings a score a few points, briefly — and credit models bundle multiple mortgage inquiries within a shopping window as a single event. The cost of not being pre-approved (losing the house) is far larger.
Find the house first, then figure out the money.
The truth: Backwards. Sellers take offers seriously when financing is already lined up, and you shop smarter when you know your real budget. The money conversation comes first — that's the entire premise of this website.
Student loans mean you can't buy.
The truth: Student debt factors into your debt-to-income ratio, but it's rarely a disqualifier by itself. Different programs count student loan payments differently — which is exactly the kind of detail an advisor runs for you before you count yourself out.
The path
First conversation to keys, in six steps
The conversation
A no-pressure consult with Justin about income, savings, debts, and timing. Zero paperwork. This is where the plan starts.
Pre-approval
When the plan says go, Justin takes your application through Fairway and gets you a pre-approval you can shop with confidently.
The real budget
Approved-for and comfortable-with are different numbers. Justin helps you set the payment you actually want to live with.
Shop with your agent
You and your real estate agent hunt; Justin stays on call to run payment scenarios on any house that gets your heart rate up.
Offer & contract
When your offer is accepted, the clock starts. Justin locks the plan into motion — appraisal, processing, underwriting.
Clear to close
Underwriting signs off, you review final numbers (no surprises — you've seen them coming), and you sign. Keys. Done.
Minnesota down payment help
The state of Minnesota wants to help you buy. Seriously.
Minnesota Housing runs down payment and closing-cost assistance programs for eligible buyers — deferred loans and monthly-payment loans that stack on top of common first mortgages. Income and purchase-price limits apply and vary by county, but for many first-time buyers this is the difference between "someday" and "this year."
How MN assistance works →Money questions, answered straight
First-time buyer FAQ
How much money do I actually need to buy my first home in Minnesota?
Plan for three buckets: down payment (as low as 0–3.5% of price depending on program), closing costs (roughly 2–4% of price), and reserves (a cushion lenders like to see). Minnesota Housing down payment assistance can cover much of the first two buckets for eligible buyers — ask Justin whether you qualify.
What credit score do I need to buy a house?
Most conventional loans start around 620, and FHA guidelines can allow lower. Rather than a hard cutoff, think of it as a dial: higher scores unlock better pricing. If your score needs work, Justin can point you at the moves that raise it fastest.
How long does buying a first home take?
Pre-approval can happen within days of a conversation. House hunting is the wild card — weeks to months. Once you're under contract, closing typically runs about 30–45 days. Starting the money conversation early costs nothing and removes the time pressure later.
Is down payment assistance real, or a gimmick?
Very real. Minnesota Housing offers assistance programs that help with down payment and closing costs for eligible buyers, stackable with common first mortgages. Income and price limits apply. Millions in assistance goes unused each year simply because buyers don't know to ask.
Should I talk to a lender or find a real estate agent first?
Lender first — and not just because a lender is telling you that. Your budget defines your search, your agent needs your pre-approval to write offers, and Justin has sat on the agent's side of the table: agents strongly prefer buyers who arrive financially ready.
Your first home starts with one honest conversation.
No application. No credit pull. No obligation. Just an advisor's read on where you stand and what your next move should be.