Wendy Harris is a giver. She gives her time, her talents, her knowledge, her friendship, her physical labor, and even her money to others in an effort to make someone's life better, to make the world a better place.

From September to mid-June, Wendy works as a social studies teacher at Metro Deaf School in St. Paul, where she also teaches braille and technology to DeafBlind students and coordinates the DeafBlind club. During her summer breaks, she volunteers at Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. We are honored to have the support of volunteers and donors like Wendy. Here's her story.

Because buying a home is a big (and exciting!) investment, many people have questions about the finance part of the process. A common question we hear is, "Can I buy a home if I have collections on my credit report?" Fortunately, the answer is yes. But it depends how much money you owe and what type of debt it is.

Here are some things you should know if you have collections but want to buy a home.

When you think of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity’s Homeownership Program, you might imagine a family buying a volunteer-built home for an affordable price. But there’s a whole lot more!

Bare trees, fallen snow, and cold temperatures don't usually make you think of house hunting, but maybe it should. While spring and summer remain the busiest, most popular times to buy a home, there are several benefits to buying a house in winter here in Minnesota.

As a Gold Standard Radon Resistant Builder and January being National Radon Action Month, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity encourages all households to test their homes for radon. Here are some facts and links to find out more about radon, courtesy of the Minnesota Department of Health.

Congratulations, you’re a homeowner!

You paid your down payment, signed on the dotted lines, and are now holding the keys to your very own home. But now what do you do? Can you move in right away? Should you move in right away? You followed a lot of steps to become a homeowner, but there are a few final steps to take before you can sit back, relax, and enjoy homeownership.

Note: You don't have to complete any of these before moving your belongings into your home if you don't want to (although it may be easier for painting and floor installation). In fact, it's safest to occupy your new home as soon as possible to prevent crime.

Buying a house can be one of the most exciting moments in your life, especially if it’s your first home! Learning the basics of real estate before you start searching for a home can save you time and keep you clear of common headaches down the road. Here are a few house hunting tips as you begin your search, because once you’re out looking at houses, things get exciting fast!

If you're shopping for a home today, you may have noticed a lot of other people looking at homes during your house hunt. That's because the housing market is very hot right now! A busy housing market means sellers may likely receive several offers on the same day and have to decide which one to accept. Some sellers will take the highest offer, but others may be swayed by a buyer who pays earnest money.

Don't know what earnest money is? That's what we're here to explain! Here are the basics.

Buying a home is an exciting investment, but paying for the down payment can be a challenge. If your purchase includes a down payment, it's important that you pay the full amount — whether it's 3%, 20%, or somewhere in between — because it shows the lender that you are able to save money and are willing to put some “skin in the game”.

However, saving that much money can take some time. Due to that, many prospective buyers often look for shortcuts — a gift from a family member, use retirement savings, or take out a loan from your 401K account.

If these options are not available to you, you may have questioned whether you can take out a personal loan to fund your down payment. Although it is possible, we do not recommend it. Here’s why:

If you have learned that you're eligible for the Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program, you will still need to submit your application. In order to do that, you'll need to collect and send the required materials.

To make your application process a little easier, we've listed all the materials and some helpful tips on where to find them.