Resource Library First-Time Homebuyer Resources
Homeownership Education & Workshop Overview
Homeownership Specialists are on Staff to help First-Time Homebuyers prepare.
Wherever you are on the path to homeownership, we have services to lend a helping hand. A favorite with first-time buyers, our 1:1 counseling service helps people create a plan for home ownership. Besides the cost of pulling your current credit report, there is no cost to you for many of our services. We are here to educate all nationalities and income level homebuyers.
The first step? Complete the Homeownership One-on-One Counseling Application (en Español) and the Supplemental Information (en Español) packet and send them our way. Once received, a homeownership specialist will connect with you to discuss what program works best for you and other community resources you may qualify for.
English speaking & Bilingual Spanish/English Homeownership Specialists on staff to assist all of our clients. Translation services available upon request.
If returning by mail or our office drop box:
Attn: Homeownership
Scott County CDA
323 Naumkeag St
Shakopee, MN 55379
You may also email or fax this information to us:
cda-info@scottcda.org
fax: 952-496-2852
First-Time Homebuyer Workshop
February 2025 in-person Workshop: REGISTRATION OPEN
- February 1st, 2025 – English, 8am – 4:30PM (Doors open at 7:40am) – location TBD
Homestretch Workshop – Scott County CDA provides this workshop to help prepare interested first-time homebuyers for homeownership. Participation in this workshop qualifies participants for 1 of 2 education requirement for our grant program and covers topics such as:
- Budgeting
- Credit, such as factors that influence your credit score and how your score impacts your mortgage loan
- Mortgage loans and what to expect at closing
- Real estate overview, such as finding the right agent
- What to expect for your home inspection
- Home maintenance
This program has a $40 registration fee. To get started, complete the course application. To ask a question about this program, please contact Rochon at Rbergevinsmith@scottcda.org or 952-395-5123
If you have completed the CDA’s 1 on 1 counseling and a qualified First-Time Homeownership education course and are close to purchasing a home, you may qualify for a grant for down payment or closing costs. To be eligible, you must be a first-time homebuyer purchasing a home in Scott County and meet income and other loan requirements. Please call (952) 395-5123 or see the grant criteria below under “Frequently Asked Questions”. (Funds are limited and grants are not guaranteed.)
2025 WORKSHOPS
February 1st – 8am-4:30pm – Click to Register
March 8th – 8am-4:30pm – Inscripción anticipada
May 7th & 8th – 4pm-8pm
July 30th & 31st – 4pm-8pm
Oct. 22nd & 23rd – 4pm-8pm
Find other Workshops in Minnesota – Click Here
*February Event Location: To be Announced soon!
- After you are registered, a $40 Household Workshop Fee is due. Payment is required, non-refundable, and due after registration. You will receive a link for electronic payment. You may also send your payment via check or money order made out to:
Scott County CDA
Attn: Homebuyer Workshop
323 Naumkeag St.
Shakopee, MN 55379 - Once we receive your payment, we will send you a confirmation email listing the class date and time, room location, and other important details.
If you have registered for a course but can no longer attend or need assistance with the fee or have any other questions, please contact Rochon at rbergevinsmith@scottcda.org.
First-Time Homebuyer Grants
If you have completed the Scott County CDA’s 1-on-1 Counseling and Workshop Education courses and are looking into purchasing a home, you may qualify for a grant to apply toward your down payment or closing costs.
Scott County CDA offers down payment and closing cost grants to eligible First-Time homebuyers purchasing a home in Scott County. To be eligible, you must:
• Be an active participant in the Scott County CDA’s Homebuyer Counseling Program (complete counseling session at least 60 days before putting an offer on a home).
• Have completed a HUD-Approved Education Course (Homestretch or Framework).
• Meet all other criteria (see requirements here: grant criteria )
Funds are limited and grants are never guaranteed.
Please call (952) 395-5123 or see the grant criteria for more information about how to qualify.
*Current participants may ask their Homeownership Specialist about grant availability, eligibility, and/or next steps.*
Framework Online Courses
Framework is an online homebuyer education course for first-time homebuyers to participate in the education portion safely from the comfort of their own home. The Framework course costs $75 and teaches a homeownership curriculum similar to our in-person workshops (credit, loans, budgeting, etc.). You can go at your own pace and receive a certificate at the end of the course. Click here to register.
Framework meets many lenders’ requirements for homebuyer education, but check with yours to make sure an online course is acceptable. The cost of this course is $75.
HUD Approved Homeownership Specialist
Learn about Housing Counselors and why it is so important to work 1:1 with one of our certified professionals.
Frequently Asked Questions
The course lasts 8 hours, and you must attend all 8 hours to graduate from the course and qualify for the grant.
A registration fee of $40 per household is requested before participation in the workshop; however, households can request a reduced or waived registration fee if needed.
If you have completed the CDA’s counseling and education courses and are close to purchasing a home, you may qualify for a grant for down payment or closing costs. (Funds are limited and grants are not guaranteed.)
To be eligible, you must be a first-time homebuyer purchasing a home in Scott County and meet income and other loan requirements. Please call (952) 395-5123 or see the grant criteria: 2025 Grant Criteria for more information about how to qualify.
Yes. Framework is an online homebuyer education course that many lenders accept, possibly qualifying homebuyers for grants or other loan benefits. We will accept certificates from this course for 2 years after completion, to count toward one of two education requirements’ of the Scott County CDA grant.
The African Development Center will be offering a first-time homebuyer Somali workshop on the 3rd Saturday of every month. The class is 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM with a one-hour break.
Yes. In person Spanish Homebuyer Education Workshops are 8-hour workshops presented in Spanish and offered through the Scott County CDA and our partner agencies CLUES and NeDA. The Scott County CDA currently offers one All-Spanish 1st Time Homebuyer Workshop each Year. CLUES and NeDA offer classes in Spanish in different locations all year. These workshops meet the education requirement for the Scott County CDA Grant Program and include the same topic areas as the course outlined above.
Scott County CDA
Phone: 952-395-5124
March 8th, 2025, 8am-4:30pm
NEDA
Phone: 651-292-0131
Text: 855-292-0131
Fax: 651-292-092
https://nedahome.org/
CLUES
Phone: 612-746-3500
Fax: 612-871-1058
http://www.clues.org/
Yes. Please call or email us and we’ll work with you to make arrangements.
Resources
Homeownership Counseling Online Application
First-Time
Homebuyer Flyer
Homeownership Counseling Registration Packet
Homebuyer Grant Criteria
Community Land Trust
Related Topics
Mortgage
Programs