Resource Library First-Time Homebuyer Resources
Overview
Where ever 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 services help 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 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 located here. To ask a question about this program, please contact Molly at mlink@scottcda.org or 952-641-5180
UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
Workshops return in 2023!
February 7 & 8, 4-8 PM
Location to be determined.
Signup for email updates for all the latest! Scroll to the bottom of this page to add your email address.
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 $4,000 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) 641-5180 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.
First-Time Homebuyer Grants
If you have successfully completed the CDA’s counseling and education courses and are close to purchasing a home, you may qualify for $4,000 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) 641-5180 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 a question or submit your completed certificate, please email Molly at mlink@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.
Resources
Homeownership Counseling Online Application
First-Time
Homebuyer Flyer
Homeownership Counseling Registration Packet
Homebuyer Grant Criteria
First-Time Homebuyer FAQ
Related Topics
Mortgage
Programs