Chad Krueger, Loan Consultant at MinnTrust Mortgage

09/07/2026

Discover key differences between a second home and an investment property to make informed choices for your financial future.

Discover key differences between a second home and an investment property to make informed choices for your financial future.

09/04/2026

Discover how refinancing a second mortgage can improve your finances and learn how to navigate this process effectively.

09/02/2026

If you are buying your first home, there is a good chance you qualify for programs designed specifically to make homeownership more accessible and more affordable.

First-time homebuyer programs come in a variety of forms: down payment assistance grants, low-interest second mortgages, reduced mortgage insurance, and preferential interest rates. Some are offered at the federal level, others through state housing finance agencies, and some through local municipalities or nonprofit organizations.

In Minnesota, the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency offers several programs including down payment and closing cost assistance for eligible buyers. Wisconsin has its own set of first-time buyer programs through the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority. Florida offers assistance through the Florida Housing Finance Corporation.

These programs often have income limits and purchase price limits, and they typically define a first-time homebuyer as someone who has not owned a home in the past three years, not necessarily someone who has never owned at all.

Combining a down payment assistance program with a competitive mortgage rate can make a significant difference in your monthly payment and how much you need to bring to closing.

The best way to find out what you qualify for is to sit down with a loan officer who knows the available programs in your area and can match you with the right options.

Ready to explore your options? Reach out today for a free, no-obligation pre-qualification.

Chad Krueger | NMLS #400930 | Licensed in MN, WI, FL

09/02/2026

Learn how to time your home purchase, manage overlap costs, and plan for a smoother transition from renter to homeowner.

Learn how to time your home purchase, manage overlap costs, and plan for a smoother transition from renter to homeowner.

09/01/2026

Mortgage forbearance is something most homeowners hope they never need, but knowing it exists and how it works can provide real peace of mind.

Forbearance is a temporary pause or reduction in your mortgage payments, granted by your loan servicer when you are experiencing financial hardship. It is not loan forgiveness, and it is not free money. But it can give you the breathing room you need to get back on your feet without immediately falling into default.

Common reasons homeowners request forbearance include job loss, medical emergencies, natural disasters, or other unexpected financial setbacks. During the forbearance period, you are protected from foreclosure as long as you are in compliance with the agreement.

Here is the important part: the payments you miss or reduce during forbearance do not disappear. They will need to be repaid. The way that repayment is structured depends on your loan type and servicer. Options can include a lump sum at the end of the forbearance, a repayment plan spread over time, a loan modification, or in some cases adding the missed payments to the end of the loan.

If you ever find yourself in a situation where making your mortgage payment is going to be difficult, the most important thing you can do is contact your loan servicer as early as possible.

Ready to explore your options? Reach out today for a free, no-obligation pre-qualification.

Chad Krueger | NMLS #400930 | Licensed in MN, WI, FL

08/31/2026

Discover if refinancing for a 0.25% lower rate is a smart financial move. Explore the pros and cons to make an informed decision.

Discover if refinancing for a 0.25% lower rate is a smart financial move. Explore the pros and cons to make an informed decision.

08/28/2026

Three business days before your closing, you will receive one of the most important documents in the entire mortgage process: the Closing Disclosure.

The Closing Disclosure is the final accounting of your loan. It mirrors the format of the Loan Estimate you received early in the process, which makes it easy to do a side-by-side comparison. And that comparison is exactly what you should do.

Review the loan terms carefully. Check that the interest rate, loan amount, and loan type match what was quoted. Look at the closing cost section in detail. While some fees are allowed to change between the Loan Estimate and the Closing Disclosure, others are not. Any increases in certain fee categories beyond set tolerances may need to be corrected before closing.

Pay close attention to the cash to close figure. This tells you exactly how much money you need to bring to the closing table in certified funds.

The three-day waiting period between receiving the Closing Disclosure and your actual closing date is intentional. It gives you time to review it carefully and ask questions without feeling rushed.

Do not wait until the day before closing to look at this document. Review it as soon as it arrives and reach out to your loan officer immediately if something does not look right.

Real estate agents — if you've had a deal fall through or you have a buyer who needs a second opinion, reach out. I'd love to take a look and find a path forward.

Chad Krueger | NMLS #400930 | Licensed in MN, WI, FL

08/28/2026

Learn easy ways to save for a house, plan for upfront costs, and build a realistic path toward homeownership with confidence.

Learn easy ways to save for a house, plan for upfront costs, and build a realistic path toward homeownership with confidence.

08/27/2026

The Loan Estimate is one of the most important documents you will receive during the mortgage process, and it is worth taking the time to actually read it.

By law, your lender must provide you with a Loan Estimate within three business days of receiving your completed loan application. It is a standardized three-page document that gives you a clear picture of the key terms and estimated costs of the mortgage you are applying for.

Here is what it covers. On the first page, you will see the loan amount, interest rate, estimated monthly payment, and whether the rate is fixed or adjustable. You will also see upfront cost estimates.

The second page breaks down the closing costs in detail, including lender fees, third-party service fees, and prepaid items. This is the section you want to compare carefully when shopping multiple lenders.

The third page shows you the APR, the total interest you will pay over the life of the loan, and other comparison tools.

One of the most valuable uses of the Loan Estimate is apples-to-apples comparison shopping. Because the format is standardized across all lenders, you can line up estimates side by side and see exactly where the differences are.

If anything on your Loan Estimate does not look right or match what you were told, ask questions right away.

Ready to explore your options? Reach out today for a free, no-obligation pre-qualification.

Chad Krueger | NMLS #400930 | Licensed in MN, WI, FL

08/26/2026

Learn how a Refinance Debt Consolidation Loan can lower your monthly payments and help boost your credit score over time.

Learn how a Refinance Debt Consolidation Loan can lower your monthly payments and help boost your credit score over time.