Why Buying a Home in Minnesota Might Be the Most Empowering Move You Make This Year

By: Ellie Breitbach, 2025 Ambassador

Hey friend, Ellie here! I’m a local mortgage loan officer in the Twin Cities and an ambassador for The Dot. I’ve helped a lot of people buy homes, and one thing I’m especially proud of? Supporting first-time homebuyers and especially single women through the process.

Because let’s be honest: buying a home can feel overwhelming, especially when all you’ve ever heard is “you need 20% down” or “it’s too hard to do alone”. 

Here’s the truth: you don’t need 20% down. Not even close. Here in Minnesota, we have down payment assistance options that make homeownership possible with as little as 1–3% down. And yes, you can absolutely do this solo. In fact, single women now own nearly 3 million more homes than single men across the U.S. as of 2024. We are showing up, investing in ourselves, and building real wealth on our terms. 

Let’s Talk About Equity

When you rent, you’re paying someone else’s mortgage. But when you own your home? You’re building equity – both through your monthly payments and through your home’s natural appreciation over time.

Take this as an example: a $300,000 home in Minneapolis is projected to appreciate around 4–5% per year. That means in five years, you could see your home’s value increase by over $54,000, just from market appreciation alone. (Source: Hennepin County, MN Housing Data)

That’s not including the equity you build just by making your mortgage payments. That’s how wealth grows. This is how renting turns into ownership and ownership into opportunity.

You Don’t Need to Have It All Figured Out. 

What you need is the right guide. Someone who will break things down, make the numbers make sense, and help you see what’s actually possible.

Whether you’re 6 months away or just curious about how much you could afford, I encourage you to reach out to a mortgage loan officer to explore your options. 

Steps to find a great mortgage loan officer:

• Ask friends or family who they’ve worked with and loved
• Connect with someone you meet through a networking group (like The Dot!)
• Look on social media! Many loan officers (myself included!) share tips and behind-the-scenes info so you can get a feel for their style

You don’t have to wait. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to take the first step.