How Twin Cities Buyers Actually Qualify for a Home Without 20% Down or Perfect Credit

I've spent 30 years helping families buy homes. In this free live class I'll walk you through the four things every lender looks at (Credit, Income, Property and Down Payment) so you can see where you really stand, and I'll answer your questions live.

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What You'll Walk Away With

The real numbers, programs and requirements, so you can stop guessing and start planning.

The Down Payment Truth

What you actually need to save is probably less than you think

You've probably heard you need 20% down. Most first-time buyers put down far less, and there are loan programs built for smaller down payments. I'll show you what that looks like on a real Twin Cities price.

Credit Score Reality

The credit scores that qualify are lower than most people think

A lot of people think they need a 750 to get a mortgage. The real minimums are lower than that, and they depend on the loan program. I'll walk through where the lines actually are, and how a strong pillar can help balance out a weaker one.

Local Money You're Missing

Down payment and closing cost help most buyers never hear about

Minnesota, several Twin Cities cities and some nonprofits offer down payment and closing cost help. Each has its own rules, income limits and amounts, and they change. I'll show you how to find out which ones fit your situation.

VA Loan Clarity

What veterans, Guard and Reserve members should know

If you've served, the VA loan can be one of the best tools out there, with no down payment required for eligible buyers. Eligibility depends on your service history, including for Guard and Reserve members. I'll explain how to find out where you stand.

The Cost of Waiting

What another year of renting really costs

Waiting for the perfect time has a cost too: rent you won't get back and equity you're not building. We'll look at the real tradeoffs so you can decide when the time is right for you.

Is This For You?

Built for Twin Cities renters who want to own a home, without wading through conflicting advice and outdated rules.

You've been scrolling Zillow after the kids go to bed, saving homes you assume you can't afford
You've heard you need 20% down and a 750 credit score, and that's kept you from even starting
You've Googled "first time homebuyer Minnesota" and ended up more confused than when you started
You're a veteran, or in the Guard or Reserves, and you're not sure how a VA loan works for you
Your rent keeps going up and you don't know where to begin

What this isn't

This isn't a sales pitch dressed up as a class. Nobody is going to push you into an application. It's a straight walkthrough of how lenders look at buyers and what help is out there, so you know where you stand on all four pillars, whether you're ready next month or next year.

Your Host

Meet Your Host

John Richter

Mortgage Loan Officer

John Richter has been in mortgage lending since 1996. Over the past 30 years, he and his team have helped more than 1,500 families buy homes — working with over 120 different lenders to match buyers with the right programs for their specific situations. He also runs two other businesses, so he speaks from firsthand experience when it comes to self-employment, income complexity, and the real-world financial questions buyers face.

Common Questions

Yes. The class is free, and there's no obligation.

It's live on Zoom. I teach it in real time and answer your questions as we go.

Yes. Having debt doesn't automatically rule you out. Lenders look at how your monthly payments compare to your income. The class explains how that works.

Yes. Buying a home is usually a joint decision, so it helps if you both hear the same information and can ask questions.

Yes. Several loan programs are open to scores in that range, depending on the rest of your situation. You may be closer than you think.