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.
The first step? Complete the Homeownership One-on-One Counseling Application and the supplemental information 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.
If returning by mail or our office dropbox:
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
Scott County CDA provides a workshop that helps prepare interested first-time homebuyers for homeownership. Participation in this workshop qualifies participants for the education requirement for the 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 an $8,000 down payment or closing cost Grant. 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”.
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Registration:
2023 is closed. Check Back in January 2024
*Location: TBD
- Intake Closed
- Once we receive your intake, we will send you a confirmation email listing the class date and time, location in Shakopee, and agenda.
- Pay the $40 Workshop Fee. Payment is required and due before attending the first class. You may send via check or money order made out to:
Scott County CDA
Attn: Homebuyer Class
323 Naumkeag St.
Shakopee, MN 55379
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 CDA’s counseling and education courses and are close to purchasing a home, you may qualify for $8,000 to apply toward your 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 for more information about how to qualify.
We also accept certificates from CLUES, NeDA, and the African Development Center. These certificates can be applied toward the Scott County CDA’s First-time Homebuyer Grant requirements. The CDA requires 60 days to process grant applications. The 60-day requirement for certificates issued by partner organizations begins when a certificate has been received by the CDA, not the date issued by the partner organization. Additional documentation will be required. All remaining grant requirements must be met to qualify for the Scott County CDA grant.
To ask questions or submit your completed certificate, please email Rochon at rbergevinsmith@scottcda.org or 952-641-5180.
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 an $8,000 down payment or closing cost grant.
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 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 from April 2020 to a date that is to be determined to count toward the education requirement 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. Spanish Homebuyer Education Workshops are 8-hour workshops presented in Spanish and offered in Scott County by partner agencies CLUES and NeDA. CLUES and NeDA also 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.
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
Related Topics
Mortgage
Programs