Homeownership

Preparing and Educating Buyers to Navigate Homeownership

AEOA offers a variety of Homeownership tools to start the journey of owning a home. Our program offers classes and one-on-one counseling to all individuals, and down payment and closing cost assistance to income-eligible individuals.

Home Stretch Workshops

These workshops are designed to teach a buyer the steps involved in purchasing a home. Local professionals such as real estate agents, lenders, and home inspectors speak about their part in the process. These virtual classes on Zoom are available to anyone and have no qualifications. The cost is $40 and registration is required 24 hours in advance.

March 26, 2026 (9AM – 5:30PM)

April 22 & 23 2026 (5PM – 9:30PM)

National Online Framework Course

One-On-One Counseling Session

Our accredited housing counselors offer FREE one-on-one service to assist you with your road map to home-ownership. Counseling sessions are focused on affordability, types of mortgages, budgeting, savings, and identifying and accomplishing your goals. Counseling is available to anyone and has no qualification requirements. Registration is required.

Topics covered:

• Objectives and needs
• Build a household budget
• Barriers
• Available resources (lending, real estate, home inspectors, and financial counseling)
• Develop an action plan

Sign Up for Counseling

Downpayment and Closing Cost Assistance

Assistance towards down payment and closing costs for qualified buyers in Lake, Cook, and St. Louis Counties (excluding the City of Duluth). This program is to help families overcome the barrier of having enough funds to meet down payment and closing costs. Qualification is determined in the counseling session.

• Buyer(s) must complete the Homestretch Workshop.
• Buyer(s) must complete 1-on-1 counseling to qualify for assistance BEFORE the purchase agreement is signed.
• The home purchased must pass the minimum Housing Quality Standards Inspection.
• Buyer(s) must be a first-time homebuyer (or not owned a home in the last 3 years).
• Buyer(s) must qualify for a mortgage. The counselor will assist in shopping for a mortgage.
• Buyer(s) are required to pay a minimum of $1,000.00 towards the purchase of property from their own resources. Available mortgage programs may require additional buyer contributions.
• Household income must be below the following income limits. (80% below the County median income).

Please note: Our Homeownership program is best suited for buyers in St. Louis, Lake, and Cook Counties. To locate an advisor or class in your purchase area, please use the search tool on the MN Homeownership Center’s website.

Request More Information

For questions or additional information, please complete the short form below and a member of our team will reach out. This form is not an application.

Interest Form