Home > Blogs > Teri Eckholm > Minneapolis & St. Paul Real Estate Blog ~ by Native Minnesotan Teri Eckholm

Do Real Estate Buyers in Anoka County NEED to Take a First Time Homebuyer Class to Buy a Home?

By Teri Eckholm

Real Estate Agent with Boardman Realty Minnesota License#90858

April 27, 2009 01:27 AM

Homebuying Class Picture by Teri Eckholm Realtor People who have never owned a home before are excited about the new $8000 tax credit for first time buyers. They want to learn as much as they can and as fast as they can because this credit is only available for those who buy a home before December 1, 2009. Every day I am talking to excited potential home buyers considering a townhome in Blaine or Lino Lakes or a small acreage foreclosure in Ham Lake. They often call and inquire about where they can take a class to learn more about buying a home. Most people are very busy so they want a class that will fit their schedule; one that will allow them to get out searching for their dream home very quickly.

Well, I will let you in on a little secret. You don't need to sit in a class on someone else's schedule with a bunch of others to learn to buy a home. There is no class requirement for receiving the 2009 $8000 tax credit.

What I tell all of my friends and referred clients is that if you are serious about buying a home and taking advantage of this credit, let me be your guide. As an experienced and professional REALTOR® with hundreds of extremely happy clients, I can educate you quickly on the process of buying your first home and at no cost to you.

Contact me HERE and request your homebuyer success package. As soon as I receive your information, I will send you a list of seven simple steps to home ownership, a Q&A sheet to address the $8000 tax credit and booklet containing all the information you need to buy your first home. In minutes you will have all you questions answered on the home buying process.

Want a HOTSHEET of current bankowned and foreclosed homes? Sign up HERE!

If you are buying or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet, Homebuyers Success Packet or sign up for Listingbook Twin Cities Home Search. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Buying a Home? Check out my new HOME BUYER'S BLOG!

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Maria Morton

Platinum Realty - Kansas City, MO

Kansas City Real Estate 816-560-3758

Teri, the picture of a HomeBuyer Class in my mind makes me laugh. Good post.

Apr 27, 2009 02:53 AM

Marzena Melby

Coldwell Banker Burnet Realty - Richfield, MN

Realtor, Twin Cities Minnesota Real Estate

Teri, great job educating first time home buyers. They need all the information they can get.

Apr 27, 2009 03:44 AM

William Johnson

Retired - La Jolla, CA

Retired

Hi Teri, You are so right. Finding the BEST REALTOR ( YOU ) is a much smarter thing for any Buyer to do and not waste a bunch of time on the silly stuff. A good REALTOR never stops counseling and can parcel it out when you need it. Besides that, your blog posts alone would convince any serious Buyer who they should be working with.

Apr 27, 2009 12:52 PM

Joan Whitebook

BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH

Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

Teri - I like this post. I think one of the most important things for first time homebuyers is to have someone like yourself who will walk them through the process. With these home buying shows on TV, I find consumers know a lot less than they think they know.

Apr 27, 2009 02:42 PM

Terry & Bonnie Westbrook

Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI

Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re

The buyers I have talked to think their must be some string attached to the credit and keep looking for a reason it isn't a good deal. They are right it isn't a good deal IT IS A GREAT DEAL.

Apr 27, 2009 03:24 PM

Teri Eckholm

Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN

REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro

Maria--Thought it would be a cute accent to the post! :)

Apr 28, 2009 01:10 AM

Marzena--One important thing homebuyers need to know is that a formal class is not necessary. Information on buying a home will come directly from a good trusted agent. Interview several and find one you really want to work with...They will be your best source of information and can provide all the education a buyer will need.

Apr 28, 2009 01:14 AM

William--Thank you...I see that many of the people who stumble upon my site come from using the search term in Google, "first time homebuyer class" like it is a requirement to take a class to buy a house. Educating the public that there is no such requirement but that these classes are just agents like myself wanting to educate people on the process. If they call me directly, they can have a one-on-one education with an experienced agent set up on their own time schedule. Simple and convenient!

Apr 28, 2009 01:19 AM

Joan--Thanks...Glad you enjoyed. I am just trying to point out what professional REALTORs do...educate buyers and sellers on the process.

Apr 28, 2009 01:21 AM

Terry--After the past credits that were really loans, it is no wonder that they don't believe that the money will really be back in their pockets next year! By the time some people figure out that the $8000 credit is a one time GREAT deal, it will be too late to get the financing put together and they will be kicking themselves at the lost opportunity.

Apr 28, 2009 01:24 AM

Do Real Estate Buyers in Anoka County NEED to Take a First Time Homebuyer Class to Buy a Home?

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Teri Eckholm

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