Found assistance programs they never knew existed and made the numbers finally work.
First-time buyer · Twin Cities, MNDown payment assistance
First-time buyers
Nobody is born knowing
how to buy a house
Every homeowner you know once had no idea what escrow meant. This hub is your judgment-free starting line.
is it dumb that i literally don't know where to start? 😅
It'd be weird if you DID — they don't teach this anywhere. That's the whole reason I do what I do. Start here, text me when questions pop up. No dumb questions in this chat.
Myth demolition
Six myths keeping you a renter
You need 20% down.
The truth: The 20% figure only affects whether you pay PMI — it’s not an entry requirement. Conventional loans start at 3% down, FHA at 3.5%, VA and USDA at 0% — and Minnesota assistance programs can cover much or all of what’s left.
You need perfect credit.
The truth: Programs exist across the credit spectrum — FHA works from 580, conventional from around 620. And if you’re not there yet, a plan gets you there faster than waiting and wondering.
Wait for rates to drop.
The truth: Nobody can time rates — not lenders, not economists, not your uncle. If the payment works and the home fits your life, waiting mostly means paying rent while prices and competition do whatever they want. And refinancing later is always on the table.
Pre-approval hurts your credit.
The truth: It’s a small, temporary dip — a few points — and mortgage rate-shopping within a short window counts as one inquiry. The clarity it buys is worth infinitely more.
Find the house first, then figure out money.
The truth: Backwards — and with assistance funds like ABH, actively dangerous: signing a purchase agreement before Fund approval makes you ineligible. Money first, house second. Always.
Student loans mean you can’t buy.
The truth: Lenders look at monthly payment obligations, not the scary total balance. Plenty of buyers with five- and six-figure student debt qualify comfortably — income-driven repayment plans often help the math.
The path
Six steps from “someday” to keys
- The conversation. Free, pressure-free. Credit, savings, income, goals — and the full assistance-program map. This is where "someday" gets a date.
- Pre-approval (and fund approvals). Fairway pre-approval plus, if eligible, ABH/First-Gen fund applications — in the right order, before any purchase agreement.
- The real budget. The payment you're comfortable with beats the maximum you're approved for. Tiaira shows both and respects the first.
- Shop. Tour with your agent, offer with confidence — sellers take pre-approved buyers seriously.
- Under contract. Inspection, appraisal, underwriting. Tiaira translates every document and keeps every party on schedule.
- Clear to close → keys. 🔑 Final walkthrough, closing table, and the first photo in front of your house. Then she's your lender for life.
Minnesota's secret weapon
Up to $45,000 may be waiting for you
First-time buyers in Minnesota have access to some of the strongest assistance in the country — the ABH Community Fund, the First-Generation Community DPA Fund, and Minnesota Housing programs. Most renters have never heard of any of them.
See every program →why has nobody ever told me about this money???
Because information gatekeeping is real — these programs don't advertise on billboards. Now you know. And now your group chat is about to know too. 😄
Real clients, real reviews
Five stars.What working with Tiaira feels like
Highlights paraphrased from client feedback — full reviews on Tiaira’s Fairway profile.
Explained every step in plain language so nothing about the process felt intimidating.
First-gen homeowner · Minneapolis, MNEducation-first
Answered questions day or night and kept the closing right on schedule.
Refinance client · St. Paul, MNCommunication
Found assistance programs they never knew existed and made the numbers finally work.
First-time buyer · Twin Cities, MNDown payment assistance
Explained every step in plain language so nothing about the process felt intimidating.
First-gen homeowner · Minneapolis, MNEducation-first
Answered questions day or night and kept the closing right on schedule.
Refinance client · St. Paul, MNCommunication
First-timer FAQ
The money questions, answered
How much money do I actually need to buy my first home?
Between low-down-payment programs (0–3.5%) and Minnesota’s assistance funds — up to $45,000 from the ABH Community Fund, up to $32,000 from the First-Gen Community Fund for eligible buyers — many first-time buyers bring far less of their own cash than they expected. Closing costs typically run 2–3% of the loan, and those can sometimes be covered by assistance or seller credits too.
What income do I need?
There’s no universal minimum — lenders look at your debt-to-income ratio (your monthly obligations versus your gross income). Some assistance programs have income caps, so both floors and ceilings matter. A 10-minute conversation gives you your actual range.
How long does buying take?
Pre-approval takes a day or two. House hunting takes as long as it takes. From accepted offer to keys is typically 30–45 days. If you’re using assistance funds, add their application timeline up front — another reason to start with the money conversation early.
What’s the very first step?
A conversation — free, no obligation, no credit pull required to just talk. Tiaira maps your credit, savings, income, and every program you might qualify for into one plan. Text 651-334-9049 and say hey.
Should I use a real estate agent?
Yes — a good buyer’s agent is your advocate in negotiations and knows the neighborhoods. Tiaira works alongside agents across the Twin Cities and can connect you with ones who genuinely serve first-time buyers well.
Your starting line is a text message.
No forms, no spam, no commitment — just 'hey Tiaira, I'm thinking about buying' and an honest conversation about what's possible.