To celebrate National Homeownership Month, we're sharing educational resources for homebuyers and homeowners written by some of our closest partners. This post was provided by Sunrise Banks. In addition to sponsoring homebuilding projects, Sunrise Banks currently provides underwriting and origination services for new Twin Cities Habitat home loans.

Becoming a homeowner is an exciting rite of passage. 

But buying a house is also a complicated process that includes reams of paperwork, legal jargon and a formidable test of one’s financial stability.  

Chances are, you've seen one of our Construction Volunteer Facilitator AmeriCorps members out on site when you volunteer. Historically, we've also had another position in the office supporting you when you sign up to volunteer - and that's the role of the Volunteer Coordinator.

Starting this past year, though, we added a few other office positions for AmeriCorps members. So we wanted to take you into a general view of serving in the office, too!

To celebrate National Homeownership Month, we're sharing educational resources for homebuyers and homeowners written by some of our closest partners. This post was provided by the Minnesota Homeownership Center, which promotes and advances successful homeownership in Minnesota.

Guest blog written by Bill Gray, Stakeholder Relations Director, Minnesota Homeownership Center

Homeowners Insurance

Understanding how homeowners insurance works is an important part of successful homeownership.

An affordable home impacts everything, from strengthening our families to contributing to our region's economic prosperity. Unfortunately, too many of our neighbors lack access to a stable place to live, often forgoing basic necessities like food and health care to make ends meet. The Twin Cities is facing an affordable housing crisis as housing costs continue to rise while wages stay flat. Across the region, 46% of renter households pay too much for housing. It is harder to afford a home now than at any other time in recent memory.

We recently held a Stories of Home Contest where we asked Twin Cities Habitat homeowners to share a story answering the question: "What does your home mean to you?" Here's one of the winning stories in the homeowner's own voice. Story and photos shared with their permission.

Written by Daniel Onyancha, Habitat Homeowner since 2017.

To celebrate National Homeownership Month, we're sharing educational resources for homebuyers and homeowners written by some of our closest partners. This post is based on a Homebuyer Education class held by one of our Regular Volunteers, Steve Brown.

To celebrate National Homeownership Month, we're sharing educational resources for homebuyers and homeowners written by some of our closest partners. This post was provided by Thrivent Federal Credit Union. Thrivent Financial is the largest sponsor of Habitat for Humanity nationally and here in the Twin Cities. Over 14 years, Thrivent has contributed more than $10 million to Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.

When it comes to taking out or refinancing a mortgage, there’s a lot to consider. Review this list of 10 tips to make sure your loan process will go smoothly, and remember that the best policy is to always consult your loan officer.

One of the most popular and well-known ways to support Habitat for Humanity is volunteering on a home construction site.

This week marks my one-year anniversary as President and CEO of Twin Cities Habitat. In that time, I’ve learned a lot. I have learned how hard our incredible staff work to serve families throughout the community – be it our Homeownership Advisors helping families become homeowners, our Mortgage Foreclosure Prevention specialists keeping families in their homes, our A Brush with Kindness staff doing needed repairs for longtime homeowners, or Age in Place staff pioneering new ways to help our seniors. Through our Multiplying the Impact Campaign, we have doubled the number of families who partner with us. This year, we will help more than 110 families become first-time homeowners.

Guest blog by Pam Johnson
Policy and Advocacy Manager at Twin Cities Habitat

Over the last few months, Twin Cities Habitat housing advocates have been advocating at the State Capitol for our affordable housing legislative priorities. How did our hard work pay off? Read more to find out!