Buying a first home felt intimidating until it didn’t — Amillya called working with Cole knowledgeable, educational, and supportive, and said the process ended up far easier than her family expected.
Amillya K. · Forest Lake, MNFirst-time buyer
First-time buyers
Buying your first home is a big deal.
Feeling lost about it shouldn’t be.
Nobody teaches this in school, so everyone starts at zero — googling terms at midnight and hoping they’re not missing something. This guide is the version a friend would give you: honest, plain-English, and built to make you the most prepared buyer in the room.
is it dumb that I don’t know where to even start 😅
Not even a little. Literally everyone starts there — including me before I got into this. 15 minutes and you’ll know your starting point. That’s it, that’s step one.
Myth-busting hour
The six myths keeping renters renting
Tap a myth. Get the truth. Save yourself years.
“I need 20% down.”
The truth: The single most expensive myth in real estate. Conventional loans start at 3% down for first-time buyers, FHA at 3.5%, and VA & USDA at $0. Minnesota down payment assistance can cover much of it.
“My credit needs to be perfect.”
The truth: FHA guidelines reach into the 500s; conventional starts around 620. And if you’re not there yet, that’s a plan — Cole helps buyers map the exact moves that raise their score fastest.
“Renting is safer until rates drop.”
The truth: Your rent is a 100% interest rate. If rates drop later, you can refinance — but you can’t retroactively own the years you spent renting. The math depends on your situation, and Cole will run it with you honestly.
“Pre-approval hurts my credit.”
The truth: A mortgage credit pull is a few points, briefly — and multiple mortgage inquiries within a shopping window count as one. The cost of not being pre-approved (losing the house) is far bigger.
“I should find the house first.”
The truth: Backwards, unfortunately. Sellers take offers with pre-approvals seriously. Falling in love with a house you can’t offer on is the most avoidable heartbreak in this process.
“Student loans disqualify me.”
The truth: They usually don’t. What matters is your debt-to-income ratio, and there are program-specific ways student debt gets counted. Thousands of buyers with student loans close every month.
The roadmap
From “someday” to keys, in six honest steps
- 01
The friendly chat
A 15-minute conversation about where you’re at — income, savings, credit, timeline. No documents needed. No obligation created. This is where most people learn they’re closer than they thought.
- 02
Pre-approval, for real
Cole reviews your actual documents and credit so your pre-approval letter means something. This is what turns “browsing Zillow” into “writing offers.”
- 03
Build the budget together
Not the maximum you qualify for — the payment you’ll be comfortable with. Cole shows you the full monthly picture: principal, interest, taxes, insurance, everything.
- 04
Shop with confidence
You house-hunt with your agent; Cole prices payments on homes you like, often same-day, and talks to listing agents so your offers land with weight.
- 05
Offer accepted → under contract
Now the loan machine spins up: appraisal, underwriting, insurance. Cole updates you at every milestone so nothing feels like a black box.
- 06
Clear to close 🔑
Final numbers, final signatures, keys. Cole has closed 100% of his loans on time since joining Fairway in 2015 — your move-in date is safe with him.
The money part
Minnesota will help with your down payment. Seriously.
Minnesota Housing runs some of the most usable down payment assistance in the country — loans that cover down payment and closing costs, stacked right on top of your mortgage. Most eligible buyers have never heard of them.
Cole pairs these programs with first mortgages all the time. If savings is the thing standing between you and a house, this is the page to read next.
How down payment assistance works →We have the income but rent ate our savings… are we stuck?
Not stuck — you’re the exact buyer these programs were built for. Income qualifies you. The state can help with the rest. Let’s check your eligibility this week.
Real clients, real reviews
Five stars.5.0 across 431 verified reviews
Pulled from Experience.com, Google, Zillow & Facebook — every word verified, every buyer real.
A repeat client across a first home, a refinance, and now a dream home — Jessica says Cole takes the time to break everything down so an unfamiliar industry actually makes sense.
Jessica T. · Buffalo, MNRepeat client
Tim describes himself as very cautious with finances. Cole answered every question thoroughly — and often answered the next one before Tim could ask it.
Tim P. · Saint Paul, MNCautious by nature
As first-time buyers, Laura and her partner had a lot of questions. She calls Cole communicative, attentive, and reassuring — “in good hands” from start to finish.
Laura M. · Minneapolis, MNFirst-time buyer
Ashlee describes true five-star service — professional, responsive, and organized — with Cole removing the uncertainty from a process that could have been stressful.
Ashlee S. · Superior, WIFive-star service
Cole went above and beyond to close in time for Aaron’s wedding — responsive throughout, with Aaron’s best interest in mind the whole way. His verdict: 10/10.
Aaron E. · Maplewood, MNClosed on a deadline
Buying a first home felt intimidating until it didn’t — Amillya called working with Cole knowledgeable, educational, and supportive, and said the process ended up far easier than her family expected.
Amillya K. · Forest Lake, MNFirst-time buyer
A repeat client across a first home, a refinance, and now a dream home — Jessica says Cole takes the time to break everything down so an unfamiliar industry actually makes sense.
Jessica T. · Buffalo, MNRepeat client
Tim describes himself as very cautious with finances. Cole answered every question thoroughly — and often answered the next one before Tim could ask it.
Tim P. · Saint Paul, MNCautious by nature
As first-time buyers, Laura and her partner had a lot of questions. She calls Cole communicative, attentive, and reassuring — “in good hands” from start to finish.
Laura M. · Minneapolis, MNFirst-time buyer
Ashlee describes true five-star service — professional, responsive, and organized — with Cole removing the uncertainty from a process that could have been stressful.
Ashlee S. · Superior, WIFive-star service
Cole went above and beyond to close in time for Aaron’s wedding — responsive throughout, with Aaron’s best interest in mind the whole way. His verdict: 10/10.
Aaron E. · Maplewood, MNClosed on a deadline
First-timer FAQ
Questions every first-time buyer asks
How much money do I actually need to buy my first home in Minnesota?
Less than you think. Between low-down-payment programs (0–3.5% down) and Minnesota down payment assistance covering down payment and closing costs, many first-time buyers bring far less to closing than the 20% myth suggests. Cole will map your exact number in one conversation.
What credit score do I need to buy my first house?
Conventional programs generally start around 620, FHA reaches lower, and pricing improves as scores rise. If your score isn’t there yet, Cole helps you build a specific, prioritized plan — which accounts to pay down first, what to leave alone, and when to re-check.
How long does it take to buy a first home?
Pre-approval can happen in a day or two. House hunting is the variable — weeks to months. Once your offer is accepted, closing typically takes about 30 days, and Cole can move faster when a deal demands it.
What is down payment assistance and do I qualify?
Minnesota Housing offers loans that cover down payment and closing costs for eligible buyers, based on income limits and purchase price limits that vary by county. Cole works with these programs regularly and can check your eligibility quickly.
Should I get pre-approved before talking to a real estate agent?
Ideally, yes — it makes every later step easier. Your pre-approval defines your realistic price range, so you and your agent search the right homes from day one, and your offers carry proof you can perform.
Ready to find out where you stand?
One text starts it. No documents, no commitment — just an honest read on how close you are and what your path looks like.