What First-Time Homebuyers Get Wrong in the Twin Cities

Can cultural gaps, unfamiliar credit systems, and dense paperwork make buying a first home harder than it needs to be? On Home Turf with Jesse Carlson, St. Paul real estate agent Jesse Carlson breaks down how first-time homebuyers in Minnesota can master the purchasing process, from establishing credit and documenting assets to clearing mortgage underwriting. Jesse is joined by Estefy Borns and Marina, bilingual real estate professionals serving the Twin Cities Hispanic community, to examine how cultural fluency bridges critical gaps in real estate. Together, they discuss how to translate complex contracts, document informal savings practices such as tandas, and build credit in the U.S. system. The conversation also explores multigenerational homeownership, the advocacy of the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP), and current dynamics across the Twin Cities housing market. Whether you are preparing to purchase your first home in St. Paul or Minneapolis, or a real estate professional serving multicultural markets, this episode offers actionable strategies for financial readiness, mortgage preparation, and building lasting client relationships. 🎙️ Host & Guests Host: Jesse Carlson is a Twin Cities real estate agent based in St. Paul, Minnesota, combining five years of residential experience with a tech-savvy, data-driven approach to housing, entrepreneurship, and community development. Guests: Estefy Borns and Marina Aguirre - bilingual Realtors serving the Twin Cities market. Estefyi also serves as president of the local National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) chapter. 💡 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN Understand real estate contracts before signing instead of relying on translation alone Avoid underwriting complications caused by untraceable cash savings Understand how a tanda can create questions during mortgage underwriting Prepare earlier by speaking with a lender before making major financial decisions Navigate multigenerational homebuying when several family members contribute Use homebuyer education to better understand the U.S. purchasing process Protect your credit before applying for a mortgage Prepare for the ongoing costs of homeownership, not just the purchase itself ❓ KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED Q: Why does cultural understanding matter when helping bilingual homebuyers? A: Cultural understanding helps prevent confusion around credit, savings, contracts, and financial expectations that language alone may not explain. Q: Can cash savings cause problems when applying for a mortgage? A: Mortgage underwriting requires the source of funds to be documented, so large cash deposits can create additional verification and paperwork. Q: What is a tanda, and why can it affect mortgage underwriting? A: A tanda is a group savings arrangement where members contribute money and take turns receiving the pooled funds, creating recurring transfers that may need to be documented during underwriting. Q: Why should first-time homebuyers talk to a lender early? A: Talking to a lender early helps buyers understand their credit, financing options, documentation requirements, and the financial steps needed before purchasing a home. Q: Why is co-signing a loan risky before buying a home? A: Co-signing ties the debt to your credit, so missed payments can lower your credit score and reduce your ability to qualify for a mortgage. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 0:00 – Intro 0:53 – Meet the Guests 2:22 – Bilingual Homebuying & Real Estate Contracts 5:23 – NAHREP & Community Connections 7:23 – Cash Savings & Mortgage Underwriting 8:22 – How a Tanda Works 10:22 – Credit Mistakes First-Time Buyers Make 12:06 – Multigenerational Homebuying 14:12 – How to Financially Prepare to Buy a Home 17:07 – Homebuyer Education & Support 19:32 – Twin Cities Housing Market Outlook 21:32 – Latino Homeownership Trends 23:25 – Who Can Join NAHREP? 26:25 – Why You Should Protect Your Credit 💼 Connect with Estefy Borns & Marina Aguirre : 🌐 Website: https://estefyandmarina.com/ 📸 Instagram:   / estefy_and_marina_realtors   💼 Connect with Jesse Carlson: 🌐 Website: https://jessecarlson.com/ 📸 Instagram:   / jessecarlsonrealtor   📌 Don’t Forget to LIKE 👍, SUBSCRIBE 🔔 & COMMENT 💬 Below! ⭐ Produced by Icons of Real Estate - https://iconsofrealestate.com/ Home Turf with Jesse Carlson is sponsored by WonOver Images - When potential buyers of your home see these photos when you go to sell, they will be... WonOver: https://wonoverimages.com/ #HomeTurfWithJesse #JesseCarlson #TwinCitiesRealEstate #StPaulRealEstate #MinnesotaRealEstate #TwinCities #CommunityRealEstate #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #Homeownership #MortgageTips #RealEstatePodcast #MinnesotaRealtor