What if you could purchase a home with a low down payment without paying monthly mortgage insurance?

On this episode of Keys with The House Lady, Minnesota Realtor Estrella Carter sits down with Enda Moore, VP of Mortgage Lending with Guaranteed Rate Affinity, to talk about the Forget MI Program and what it could mean for qualified homebuyers.

Enda breaks down what mortgage insurance (MI) is, how it can affect a buyer’s monthly payment, how the Forget MI Program works, who may qualify, and why buyers shouldn’t assume they need 20% down—or perfect circumstances—to start exploring homeownership.

We also talk about common homebuying misconceptions, financing options, and why speaking with a lender and Realtor early in the process can help you understand what’s actually possible.

Connect with Enda Moore VP of Mortgage Lending | Guaranteed Rate Affinity Office: 651-348-5566 Cell: 651-271-4413 Email: [email protected] Website: GRARate.com/EndaMoore NMLS #1044631

Connect with Estrella Carter Minnesota Realtor | Founder, The Stellar One Group EstrellaCarter.com 651-338-4207

Keys with The House Lady — where we talk about community, lifestyle, and real estate.

Could up to $45,000 help make homeownership possible for you?

In this episode of Keys to Real Estate with The House Lady, Estrella Carter welcomes mortgage professional Kevin Murray of Planet Home Lending for an important conversation about the Advancing Black Homeownership Community Fund.

Kevin explains who may qualify, how the assistance can be used, what buyers should know about repayment and forgiveness, and why completing the steps in the correct order is so important.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Eligibility requirements for the program • Up to $45,000 in available assistance • The required homebuyer education course • Mortgage preapproval and the application process • How the funds may be used • Forgiveness and repayment terms • Common mistakes that could affect eligibility • Why buyers should apply before signing a purchase agreement

Program information and applications: https://www.abhfund.org

Ready to explore homeownership or your next real estate move? Connect with Estrella Carter and The Stellar One Group at EstrellaCarter.com.

Program availability, eligibility requirements, income limits, and other terms are subject to change. Contact the program administrator and a qualified mortgage professional for the most current information.

Helping You Live Your Best Life—One Move at a Time.

Dreaming of owning a home in St. Paul but worried about the upfront costs? This episode is for you!

Join Estrella Carter, The House Lady with The Stellar One Group at Coldwell Banker Realty, as she sits down with Kevin Murray, Mortgage Loan Originator with Planet Home Lending, to discuss the newly released St. Paul Down Payment Assistance Program and what it could mean for aspiring homeowners.

In this episode, we cover:

• What the new program is and why it was created
• Who may qualify
• How much assistance may be available (up to $110,000)
• Down payment and closing cost assistance
• Home inspection reimbursement
• Whether first-time homebuyer status is required
• How this program can be combined with other assistance programs
• The application process and important timelines
• Common myths about down payment assistance
• Steps buyers should take now before funding is exhausted

If you've been waiting for the right opportunity to purchase a home—or know someone who has—this conversation is one you won't want to miss.

Guest: Kevin Murray Mortgage Loan Originator Planet Home Lending NMLS ID #1572107

Whether you're a first-time buyer, returning to homeownership, or simply curious about your options, this episode provides valuable information to help you make informed decisions.

In this episode of Keys with The House Lady, I sit down with Aarica L. Coleman, President & CEO of Land Bank Twin Cities, to talk about the powerful work their organization is doing across the Twin Cities to create equitable access to housing and community ownership.

We discuss how Land Bank Twin Cities helps bridge gaps in real estate development, supports neighborhoods impacted by disinvestment, and creates opportunities for families, nonprofits, and small developers to build long-term wealth through property ownership. Aarica also shares her personal journey in housing leadership, her vision for the future, and why she believes housing should be treated as a basic human right.

This conversation is insightful for homeowners, first-time buyers, investors, and anyone passionate about community development and generational wealth.

If you care about real estate that creates impact - not just transactions - this episode is for you.

A major opportunity just hit Ramsey County—and it could change the game for first-time and first-generation homebuyers.

In this special immediate-release episode, Estrella Carter (Realtor & Certified Home Stager, The House Lady) sits down with trusted lender Lance Elliott of Frandsen Bank & Trust to break down the newly released down payment assistance program offering up to $90,000.

This is not a future program—this is happening right now, and timing matters.

In this episode, we cover:

• What this new Ramsey County program is and why it’s a big deal
• Who qualifies as a first-generation homebuyer
• Income and eligibility guidelines
• How the $90,000 can be used (down payment, closing costs, etc.)
• What buyers should do immediately to take advantage of this opportunity
• Why working with the right lender + Realtor matters right now

If you’ve been thinking about buying—or thought you couldn’t—this could be your moment.

📲 Connect with Lance Elliott for financing 📲 Connect with Estrella Carter to start your home search

Let’s get you home.

In this episode of Keys with The House Lady, Estrella Carter sits down with a mortgage lender to unpack the truth about down payment assistance, and why it’s far more powerful than many buyers realize.

Together, they break down programs offered through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (MHFA), including who qualifies, how the programs work, and why the outdated stigma around DPA is holding buyers back.

If you’ve ever thought you needed 20% down, or worried that using assistance would weaken your offer—this conversation will shift your perspective.

This episode goes beyond the basics, highlighting real strategies, common misconceptions, and how today’s buyers are successfully leveraging DPA to secure homes in a competitive market.

Whether you’re just starting your home search or looking to move strategically, this is information every buyer should understand.

In this episode of Keys with The House Lady, I sit down with leaders from Build Wealth MN to talk about what building wealth really looks like in our communities.

We dive into the 9000 Equities Initiative, access to homeownership, and the real barriers many people face when trying to move from renting to owning. This conversation is about more than real estate - it’s about education, opportunity, and creating pathways to long-term financial stability.

As a Realtor, I see firsthand how powerful homeownership can be when people are guided the right way. This episode is for anyone thinking about buying a home, building wealth, or simply understanding their options.

If you’re ready to take the next step, I’m here to help you navigate the process with clarity and confidence.

— Estrella Carter Realtor & Certified Home Stager Coldwell Banker Realty “The House Lady” Helping You Live Your Best Life

Once your offer is accepted, the real work begins.

In this episode, Realtor and Certified Home Stager Estrella Carter sits down with Title Executive Emily Zeid to break down the real estate closing process step by step.

If you’re buying or selling a home this year, you’ll learn:

• What a title company actually does • What “clear title” means • The real estate closing timeline from contract to signing • What closing costs include for buyers and sellers • The most common reasons closings get delayed • How to protect yourself from wire fraud

Spring market is one of the busiest times in real estate, and understanding what happens between accepted offer and closing day can save you stress, time, and money.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer, seller, or simply planning your next move, this episode gives you clarity and confidence before you close.

If you have questions about buying or selling in today’s market, connect with Estrella Carter at:

📞 651-338-4207 🌐 estrellacarter.com

Because where you live impacts how you live — and real estate is about helping you live your best life.

What does “home” really mean?

In this episode of Keys with the House Lady, Estrella Carter sits down with a powerful mother–daughter duo who made the bold decision to live off the grid in a tiny home and redefine what comfort, stability, and success look like on their own terms.

As Black women choosing an unconventional housing path, their journey challenges traditional expectations around ownership, financial security, and what it means to “have made it.” This isn’t a technical conversation about solar panels or systems — it’s an honest discussion about mindset, pressure, peace, and intentional living.

In this episode, we explore:

• The moment that sparked their shift away from traditional housing
• What surprised them once they were actually living off the grid
• How living smaller reshaped their stress levels, finances, and sense of success
• The mother–daughter dynamic throughout the journey
• What lessons still guide how they live today

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by housing costs, comparison culture, or the pressure to have more, this conversation offers a refreshing and grounded perspective.

Because sometimes redefining home is the first step toward redefining your life.

For real estate guidance rooted in clarity and strategy, contact Estrella Carter at 651-338-4207 or visit estrellacarter.com.

In this episode, Estrella Carter sits down with title experts from Burnet Title to break down what truly helps agents serve their clients with clarity and confidence.

Susan Morissette shares the tools, apps, and systems that help realtors generate leads, stay organized, and create a smoother client experience, while closer Juliana takes us behind the scenes to demystify the closing process and explain what really gets transactions successfully to the closing table.

If you’re ready to work smarter, guide clients more effectively, and elevate your professionalism from first conversation to final signature, this episode is for you.

Because great agents don’t just transact — they guide.