Bill HillReal Estate

First-Time Buyers

The Sartell First-Time Home Buyer Hub

Everything you need to buy your first home in central Minnesota, in one place. A free guide, a real payment calculator, the Minnesota assistance programs most buyers never hear about, and a direct line to Bill.

Sartell · St. Cloud · Sauk Rapids · St. Joseph

Start here

Your free first-time buyer guide.

Free download

The First-Time Home Buyer Guide

A plain-English walkthrough of the entire process, written for central Minnesota buyers: what lenders ask for, what your real up-front costs are, the Minnesota assistance programs most buyers never hear about, and how to write an offer that gets taken seriously.

  • ·Pre-approval checklist
  • ·True cost breakdown: down payment, earnest money, closing costs
  • ·Minnesota Housing down payment assistance explained
  • ·Inspection, appraisal, and closing-day timeline

Where should we send it?

No spam, no pressure. Just the guide plus occasional local market notes.

Run the numbers

Monthly Payment Calculator

Set a price and a down payment to see a realistic all-in monthly number, including taxes, insurance, and estimated mortgage insurance if you put down less than 20%.

Estimated monthly payment

$2,408

per month · all-in

Principal + interest
$1,849
Property taxes
$300
Insurance
$117
Mortgage insurance (est.)
$143
Down payment
$15,000
Loan amount
$285,000

Estimates only. Your actual payment depends on your lender, loan program, credit, and location. Ask Bill for an introduction to a local preferred lender.

Minnesota programs

You may need far less cash than you think.

Minnesota runs some of the strongest first-time buyer programs in the country, and they are widely underused. Income and purchase-price limits apply and change annually, so confirm current figures with an approved lender.

01

Minnesota Housing Start Up

The flagship first-time buyer mortgage: competitive fixed rates and eligibility to pair with down payment and closing cost assistance. Income and purchase-price limits apply and are updated each year.

02

Monthly Payment Loan

Up to $18,000 toward your down payment and closing costs, repaid over a 10-year term alongside your first mortgage.

03

Deferred Payment Loan / Deferred Plus

For income-qualified buyers: interest-free assistance with nothing due until you sell, refinance, or pay off the first mortgage.

04

FHA, USDA & VA loans

FHA allows 3.5% down with flexible credit. USDA Rural Development offers 0% down, and much of the area outside St. Cloud qualifies. VA loans offer 0% down with no mortgage insurance for eligible service members and veterans.

05

City & county programs

Stearns and Benton counties, along with several central Minnesota cities, periodically offer additional first-time buyer assistance. Bill tracks what's currently funded.

This is general education, not lending, legal, or tax advice. Bill can connect you with local lenders who work with these programs every week.

From Bill

The process, in about two minutes.

Video coming soon

Bill is recording a short walkthrough of the first-time buyer process, from pre-approval to keys in hand. In the meantime, the free guide above covers every step, or send him your question below.

Ask Bill directly →

No question is too basic

Ask Bill a Question

Send it over and Bill will answer personally. First-time buyers are his favorite clients, and there's never any obligation.