FHA loans can be the best option for a lot of people purchasing a primary residence, especially if your scenario is similar to the guidelines that we’re talking about in this article. There are 5 qualifying factors when it comes to FHA minimum loan requirements that every home buyer needs to know. What Every Home…

First time home buyer programs are actually conventional mortgage loans and they can be the best loan option for a lot of people. Recent changes have made them even easier to qualify for and they’re more affordable loan options. They can also be more competitive loans when you’re making offers, but you have to make…

I’m a mortgage loan originator and real estate investor in Minneapolis, Minnesota. And last year my wife and I decided we were not going to spend another winter in Minnesota, so we bought a second home in Charlotte, North Carolina. I want share with you the top 5 things to know before buying a vacation…

This is a classic question which my clients ask all the time, and one in which my wife and I have discussed amongst ourselves, should we buy a second home or investment property? There are some major differences in your financing options, which you need to know, that might answer that question for you. There’s…

I get asked this question all the time from past clients, “Hey Chris, we bought a house a couple years ago and I think we’re ready to buy something else. How do we go about doing that?” My name is Chris O’Connell. I’m a mortgage loan originator in Minneapolis, and what we’re talking about today…

There is a little known mortgage program in Minnesota for first time home buyers that allows you to put as little as 3% down on a duplex purchase. I used this same program to buy my first duplex and I want show you where to find this program and how to qualify for the best…

The Minnesota Housing Finance Agency’s Down Payment Assistance Program just increased the amount of down payment and closing costs assistance available to first time home buyers. These programs are awesome and you can use them in more ways than you think. How do I know? Well, I used one of these programs myself, so I’m…

If you’re living in Minnesota or you’re thinking about moving to Minnesota and you’re a first time home buyer, you need to know about the first time home buyer programs that are available in Minnesota. My name is Chris O’Connell, I’m a mortgage loan originator in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and the first time home buyer programs…

There is a new investment property down payment assistance program for home buyers in Minnesota that aims to reduce racial disparities in wealth and homeownership particularly among black, indigenous and people of color. This will have life changing financial benefits for anyone who’s able to take advantage of this new program. To clarify this program…

For many individuals or families, purchasing their first home is a significant milestone, but it can also feel overwhelming. To assist first-time homebuyers in Dakota County, Minnesota, several programs and initiatives have been established to make homeownership more accessible and affordable. In this article, we will explore the first-time homebuyer programs available in Dakota County…