Insights
The DMF Blog
Real estate market news, mortgage tips, and home lending insights.
Market News
VA Home Loans in 2026: Funding Fees, Residual Income, and a Minnesota Buyer Checklist
A practical 2026 guide to VA mortgages: funding fee rates and exemptions, how residual income works in the Midwest, occupancy rules, and ways to manage closing costs.
Education
USDA Rural Home Loans in Minnesota: A 2026 Guide to Zero-Down Eligibility
A practical 2026 guide to USDA rural home loans in Minnesota: who qualifies, how to check property and income eligibility, and how USDA compares to FHA and conventional options.
Home Buying Tips
PMI Explained: What It Costs, When You Need It, and How to Remove It
Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) can help you buy with less than 20% down—but it can also be removed in many cases. Here’s what PMI is, how it’s priced, and practical steps to get rid of it when you’ve built enough equity.
Education
How Mortgage Escrow Works (and Why Your Payment Changes)
Escrow (sometimes called an impound account) is how many mortgages collect money for property taxes and insurance each month — and it’s a common reason monthly payments change year to year.
Home Buying Tips
Spring Home Buying Season 2026: What Central Minnesota Buyers Should Know
Spring is the most active season for home buying — and 2026 is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for buyers in Central Minnesota. Here's what you need to know about rates, inventory, and how to put yourself in the best position to buy this season.
Market News
Where Mortgage Rates Stand This Spring — And What It Means for You
With 30-year rates hovering near 6.4%, spring 2026 isn't the rate environment anyone hoped for — but it's far from a dead end. Here's what the numbers actually mean for buyers in central Minnesota.
Home Buying Tips
A First-Time Buyer's Roadmap: 7 Steps Before You Start Looking at Houses
The median age of a first-time buyer in Minnesota just hit 40. If you're among the many Minnesotans preparing to buy your first home, here's the roadmap that sets you up for a smooth closing.
Construction
Construction Loans Explained: How Financing a New Build Actually Works
Building a home isn't like buying one — and the financing is completely different. Here's a plain-language guide to how construction loans work, from draw schedules to permanent financing.
Mortgage Guide
Mortgage Broker vs. Bank: Why Having Options Matters
When you walk into a bank for a mortgage, you get their products at their rates. When you work with a broker, the entire lending market works for you. Here's why that distinction matters more than most people realize.
Market News
Minnesota's 2026 Housing Market: What Buyers and Builders Need to Know
Inventory is up, prices have stabilized, and sellers are offering incentives again. Here's a look at where the Minnesota housing market stands in 2026 and what it means for your next move.
Construction
Thinking About Building a Home in Minnesota? Here's What to Budget For
Building in Minnesota means accounting for deep foundations, energy-efficient systems, and costs that go well beyond lumber and labor. Here's a realistic breakdown of what it takes to build in 2026.