The job market in Fargo Moorhead is strong. Fargo’s economy is diversified, which means that there are jobs available in a variety of industries. Unemployment rates are low in Fargo, and there are many opportunities for career growth.  For more information check out the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Fargo is an excellent place to raise a family. The schools in Fargo are some of the best in the state, and there are many safe, affordable neighborhoods to choose from. There are also many family-friendly activities and attractions in the city.  Check out our home search for neighborhood & school info!

From start to finish we can get you into a home from as little as 30 – 45 days however many people spend more time looking, researching  average transaction in Fargo ND takes many clients 3-6 months but it is not uncommon to work with a client for a year or more.

There are many loan programs that can help you get a home with less than 20% down. In fact, Minnesota and North Dakota both have down payment assistance programs. Talk to your lender for your best options. The downside of not having 20% down is that you often have to pay PMI on your loan.

Earnest money is included with a Purchase agreement to show commitment from the buyer towards completing the transaction for a new home. It covers the costs of the seller removing the home from the active market as closing services are prepared for the transfer to the new owner. Earnest money can be protected with contingencies. If the buyer completes the transaction the earnest money is applied to down payment funds. If the buyer walks away from the transaction funds may be subject to surrender to the seller. Contact your agent for more details.

This all depends on your financial picture and what types of loan programs you qualify for. Some have a minimum of $500 out of pocket, others may require 3.5% down and some sellers are willing to pay part of that at closing.

This all depends on your financial picture and what types of loan programs you qualify for. Some have a minimum of $500 out of pocket, others may require 3.5% down and some sellers are willing to pay part of that at closing.

In the FM area, we see an average of 1-2% being used for earnest money ($500 – $1000 minimum) to show commitment from the buyer towards completing the transaction for a new home. It covers the costs of the seller removing the home from the active market as closing services are prepared for the transfer to the new owner.

Home inspectors are often available to get out to a home soon after a purchace agreement is finalized. Often the inspection is done in 3- 5 work days. An average home takes between 2 and 4 hours to go through it with the inspector and ask any questions you may have. This is your time to get to know the home and all of the mechanical systems.

You do not need to be present for your inspection, but this is the time for you to ask any questions about your inspector. During your inspection, your inspector or Realtor should be able to provide a live video feed or images for any concerns so that you can clearly see what the inspector is seeing if you are unable to attend the inspection in person.

In North Dakota, the inspector does not have to be licensed but the inspection should be completed by a person qualified to do the inspection or tests, as evidence by a license or professional designation. (Source: ND Purchase agreement rev 7/18)

In the Fargo Moorhead market, we are seeing an average of 30 to 45 days to get an appraisal completed from the time of the purchase agreement. The appraiser typically is done with their physical inspection of a property in about 30 minutes and then returns the results to bank on average 3-5 days after the physical inspection.

There are a number of down payment assistance programs available in Minnesota. Moorhead MN is one city that offers a down payment assistance program for first-time homebuyers.

• Income limits
• Downpayment and Closing Cost Loan options – up to $17,000 available!
• Minimum credit score 
• Owner-occupancy requirement
• Purchase price limits
• Completion of homebuyer education

Are you looking to buy your first home in North Dakota? If so, you may be wondering if there are any down payment assistance programs available. Fortunately, there are a number of programs that can help you with the upfront costs of purchasing a home provided by the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency (NDFHA). With these and other programs available, there’s no need to delay your homeownership dreams any longer. So start searching for your perfect North Dakota home today.

• • All of our programs require a $500 out-of-pocket cash investment.
  • You must occupy the home as your principal residence.
  • Household income for our FirstHome and HomeAccess programs must be below a specific income limit according to family size, county of residence, and program requirements. We must count the income of the borrower, spouse, and co-borrower(s). This includes all income sources, including but not limited to, full and part-time employment wages, self-employed income, child support, social security benefits, and pension/retirement income. If household income exceeds the limits of these programs, borrowers may qualify for assistance through NDHFA’s North Dakota Root’s program.
  Important Next Steps i

PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance) covers the bank if you default on the loan. It is an added monthly cost to your mortgage and often charged for any borrower that has less than 20% down on the home.

The cost of living in Fargo is very affordable. Fargo has a lower than average cost of living, which means that your money will go further here than in other cities. housing costs are also very affordable in Fargo, and there are many great neighborhoods to choose from.

Fargo has a lot to offer for residents and visitors alike. There are many great restaurants, bars, and shops in Fargo, as well as museums, parks, and other attractions. There is always something to do in Fargo, no matter what your interests are.