It may be taboo to talk about fall during this summer heat-wave, but let’s talk about it anyway.

MN Home Loan Partners of Cornerstone Mortgage Company cordially invites you to the Fall Festival Client Appreciation. This year we will be hosting the event at our office, 436 Gateway Boulevard in Burnsville, MN. The festivities will take place between noon and 4pm on Saturday, October 2, 2010.

Join us for the fun-filled afternoon! There will be pony rides, a petting zoo, pumpkin painting, giant bouncers and more!

Each year we collect non-perishable food items along with winter clothing and blankets for CAP Agency. Please be sure to bring your children’s gently used winter coats and clothes that they have out-grown! Our goal this year is to collect 900 clothing items along with 1,000 pounds of food.

Everyone who attends will receive a chance to win some amazing door prizes! We have some very dedicated sponsors who donate the goods that range from photography sessions to electronics!  

Again, be sure you bring your gently used winter items (boots, hats, mittens, coats), blankets and/or some canned food goods to help us reach our goal for CAP Agency.

Bring the whole family, there is plenty of fun! Plus you will walk away with a great photo from our Photo Station. We will see you on Saturday, October 2, 2010!

For more information, or sponsorship opportunities, click here.

 *** CLICK HERE TO JOIN US FOR AN INFORMATIONAL SEMINAR ON 203K LOANS***

A 203k loan is a type of mortgage loan that will allow you to purchase a home and rehabilitate the home right away.  The FHA 203k loan program allows home buyers to repair aspects of the home after closing, holding the funds designated for the repair at closing. The funds are held in escrow until the contractor has completed the work, the property inspected and the contractor is then paid out of the  escrow rather than out of the home owner’s pocket. This loan program truly does offer options to home buyers who would not be able to afford the repairs otherwise.

Qualifying for a 203k loan is similar to qualifying for a FHA mortgage. The minimum down payment will equal 3.5% of the total of purchase price plus the cost of the repairs/rehab. The maximum purchase price is $365,000.  Minimum credit score is 640 unless you qualify for the CASA program as well, which would allow for a minimum credit score of 620.  Down payment assistance and closing cost assistance programs for first time home buyers can be used in conjunction with the 203k loan if the first time home buyer meets the guideline requirements. First time home buyers could be eligible for up to $15,000 in closing cost assistance and down payment assistance through additional programs.

To learn more about the 203K loan process, Cornerstone Mortgage Company hosts a monthly seminar to inform prospective buyers about the process. It is a free, no-obligation informational meeting that takes place on the first Tuesday of each month from 6:30 to 8pm.

To register for the seminar, please click here.

*REGISTER HERE*

So you want to buy a house – where do you start?! The first step towards home ownership is getting educated about the home buying process and finding a Team of Professionals you can trust and feel comfortable with. Please join us for an informative 90 minute home-buying seminar where you will learn everything you need to know about buying your first home. You’ll learn the importance of getting pre-approved for a mortgage, how to search online for homes, and how to become an expert negotiator in the process.

This is not a “Sell-a-thon” like some other seminars on home-buying. It’s totally free, we have no products to sell you, and there are no documents to sign. We’re all about educating buyers in order to help you with the biggest financial decision of your life. If you’re a fan of low-pressure and laid-back atmospheres, you’ll feel right at home.

Our two presenters – Steve Howe and Carrie Guarrero – have teamed up to give you the full spectrum of buying your first house in the Buyer’s Market today, right here in Minnesota. Learn how getting the right loan can save you thousands of dollars a year.

Some of the topics we will cover include:

• Credit Score Ratings
• Down Payments and Loan Qualification
• Special Mortgage Programs for First Time Buyers
• Writing and Negotiating Offers
• Closing Process
• and much more!!!

This course is appropriate for anyone thinking about buying a home in the next 2 years.  We would love to answer your questions and help you make a solid home purchase, without paying too much. Anyone in the Minneapolis St. Paul area of MN should come on down to one of our monthly seminars.

Here’s the info:

• What – First Time Home Buyer Class
• Where – Cornerstone Mortgage: 436 Gateway Blvd, Burnsville, MN
• When – Thursday August 19th, 6:30-8:00pm

Future Dates in 2010 are: Sep 16, Oct 21, Nov 18, Dec 16

Space is limited so please REGISTER HERE.

It should also be said that this is NOT the Home Stretch course needed to qualify for some of the local first time buyer programs and grants. Our suggestion is that you get educated about the process first, then get pre-approved and figure out if you will be eligible to receive some sort of assistance that would require you to go to the Home Stretch Class. That class is 8 hours long and there is also a fee to attend.

Would you like to learn more about how to qualify for a mortgage? Contact Carrie Guarrero Today!

Carrie Guarrero is the producing Regional Manager and Vice President of Cornerstone Mortgage Company in Burnsville, Minnesota. If you are looking for Burnsville real estate, contact Carrie first!

Buying your first home can be overwhelming if you aren’t equipped with the proper knowledge. Luckily, you found us and we can help!

MN Home Loan Partners is happy to provide a free evening class to anyone who is thinking about buying their first home. The class is jam-packed with useful information on the steps to take when looking for a home.  This month’s class is Thursday night, July 15th from 6:30 to 8:00pm.

Information covered includes:

• How to pre-qualify for a mortgage
• Questions you need to answer to narrow down your home search
• How to find a Realtor that will work in your best interest
• How the offer/negotiations process works
• Buying timeline
• Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance financing programs
• And so much more!!!

People who have attended this free First Time Home Buyers class have been very pleased with the no-pressure style of instruction. They have also been impressed with the material covered and have found their home buying experiences to be much simpler once they had been armed with information.

To attend this free home buying class please register here so we can save a seat for you. Don’t forget that Cornerstone Mortgage Company is a remote drop-off site for the CAP Agency and we will gladly accept a non-perishable food donation for their food shelf.

The Investment Property 201 Series is a specialized series of free seminars geared toward real estate investors. The series covers different topics and issues that are pertinent to the success of owning rental property. This month’s seminar is all about Section 8. Due to the popularity of this seminar, please be sure to register for the seminar.

Section 8 is a government-funded program that helps low-income households pay the rent on private, market-rate rental units.

Everything you wanted to know about Section 8, but were afraid to ask! Would you love to get your rent check from the government on the first of the month, every month? Have you heard horror stories about Section 8 tenants, but wondered about what the truth is? How do you get your property ready for Section 8 and what is the process for being approved? Is Section 8 for you? Come to this free 1 hour seminar to learn more about this process. We will explore the pros and cons of taking on tenants that have Section 8 and other subsidized rent. You will meet a property manager that currently manages 200+ rental units with 40% of those tenants receiving Section 8 or other subsidies.

Join us on July 27th, 2010 at Cornerstone Mortgage Company in Burnsville for the free seminar.

Saturday, July 10th  from 7 to 11 a.m., 20190 Holyoke Ave., Fire Station 1

Don’t miss this annual event held during Lakeville’s Pan-O-Prog! It is an all-you-can-eat style event with what I believe are the world’s best belgian waffles! Mmmmmm…..

Presale tickets are available through July 9 at Fire Station 1 (Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.). Tickets will also be available at the door.
Adults $7
Children 6-12 $5
Children 5 and under Free

All proceeds benefit the Lakeville Fire Department. This event is hosted by the Lakeville Fire Department Relief Association and is the groups only formal fundraiser during the year.
Plus this year, there will be a special presentation at 10am to honor retiring Fire Chief Scott Nelson.

We’ll see you at the Belgian Waffle Breakfast!

Upside down on your home? Before you decide to sell on a short sale, attend this free seminar. This Thursday, July 1st at 6:30, Short Sale Solutions Seminar will be held at the Cornerstone Mortgage Company office in Burnsville.

Many homeowners in today’s market find themselves upside-down in their homes. For some, a short sale is the solution, but there are many questions a homeowner should ask – and get the answers to – before entering a short sale agreement: How does a short sale differ from a foreclosure? How does a short sale impact my credit standing? Is there a waiting period before I can purchase my new home?

Featured presenters include Denae Frampton, Realtor/CDPE with MN Real Estate Team of RE/MAX Advantage Plus, Carrie Guarrero of MN Home Loan Partners, Joseph McGlynn of United Credit Consultants, Lisa Atkinson of Set To Show and Bradley Kirscher, Attorney with Aase, Engel & Kirscher, PLLC.

Please let us know you will be joining us for the seminar, register by clicking here or email RebeccaG@houseloan.com

Time to plan your neighborhood fun night for Burnsville’s Night To Unite, formerly known as National Night Out. Night To Unite is designed to heighten crime, drug and violence prevention awareness, generate support for and participation in local anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community partnerships, and send a message to criminals letting them know that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back!

This year’s Night To Unite in Burnsville takes place on Tuesday, August 3rd. Neighborhoods are encouraged to take this time to meet and socialize with their neighbors. Night To Unite gatherings can be a simple BBQ or you can organize a number of family friendly events such as bicycle parades, scavenger hunts, a street dance, a white elephant exchange, book swap, or even best lawn and garden contests. There are a myriad of activity ideas you can access by clicking here. There are other tools available to help you in planning your neighborhood Night To Unite as well, such as planning charts, planning tips, and invitation flyers.

Whatever your Night To Unite will entail make sure to register your neighborhood gathering by utilizing the City of Burnsville’s website registration link.

Get started on your party planning and be sure to have a great time! MN Home Loan Partners wishes Burnsville Residents a fantastic Night To Unite!

For more information about Burnsville’s Night To Unite or to find a party in your neighborhood, visit City of Burnsville  online or call 952-895-4575

When many Baby-Boomers and even Gen Xers are having to start looking at the future in regards to their parents, it’s time we make some plans. There are SO many things that one needs to consider… where and when will my aging parent need to move into assisted care? What happens with their homes? Do they have a Will or Estate planned? How can they and/or we afford their necessary care?

These questions may be slightly taboo to consider but if you don’t start thinking about it and have a plan in place, your parent may not be the only one who suffers the long term consequences. That is why the Your Aging Parents (YAP) Seminar came into existence. It fills a HUGE gap in society answering many of the ‘What Now?’ questions.

From title and estate planning, to Social Security benefits and living options, to advanced health care planning, this seminar explores the issues aging parents and their children may face when planning for the future. Featuring Rebecca Ross, of The Minnesota Real Estate Team and Reverse Mortgage Specialist, Doug Roseth, of the MN Home Loan Partners of Cornerstone Mortgage Company, along with  local legal and financial experts.

Join us on Thursday, June 10th from 6:30pm to 8pm at our Cornerstone Mortgage Office in Burnsville. Click here to register for this free informational seminar.

MN Home Loan Partners in conjunction with Denae Frampton, CDPE Realtor with RE/MAX Advantage Plus are hosting a Short Sale Solutions seminar tomorrow evening here in our Burnsville office.

There are many questions that a home-owner has when contemplating whether or not to sell their home by means of short-sale. What is a short-sale? How does the process work? Can any Realtor list a home for short-sale? What credit ramifications are there? How long will I have to wait before I am able to purchase a home again?

All these questions will be answered in depth during Short Sale Solutions. The seminar is free, with no obligation. The seminar runs from 6:30pm to 8pm. Not only will the seminar leave you with answers to your questions, but will put you in touch with experts who can help rebuild your credit as well.

To register for the short-sale seminar, please click here or call 952-808-0042.