Buying your first home in Lakeville? You don’t have to figure it out alone.
Hi, I’m Josie Sommers, a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Realty. I grew up right on the Lakeville and Prior Lake line, and I remember what it felt like to know absolutely nothing about buying a home. If that’s where you are right now, you’re in the right place. Text me and let’s talk about where you’re at. No question is too basic.
Text Josie: 952-454-8504
Call Josie
Email Josie
Coldwell Banker Realty • Serving Lakeville, Prior Lake, and Shakopee
A Lakeville Local Who Gets It
I grew up between Lakeville and Prior Lake and went to school in Lakeville, from Kenwood Trail Middle School through Lakeville South. I’ve swum at just about every pool in the area, and for the past eight years I’ve coached with Storm Swim Club in Lakeville, Prior Lake, and Shakopee. I also run Storm Chasers, our Learn to Swim program in Prior Lake and Shakopee.
That coaching is a big part of how I work with buyers. I’ve spent years teaching beginners to do something that feels scary the first time. Buying your first home isn’t that different. We take it one step at a time, and I make sure you understand each step before we move on to the next.
Why First-Time Buyers Work With Me
- I learned this from the ground up. I know the questions you’re nervous to ask, because I asked them too.
- Hands-on remodeling experience. I also help fix up older apartments and rental homes, so I can help you tell the difference between a cosmetic fix and a real problem.
- A clear, step-by-step plan. My home buying series walks you through the whole process, starting with your credit score.
- Two agents in your corner. You get me, plus my dad’s 20+ years of experience behind every transaction.
Step 1: Check Your Credit Score
Step 2: Figure Out Your Budget
You Get Both of Us
I work alongside my dad, Tom Sommers, a Lakeville real estate agent with 20+ years of experience and 200+ five-star reviews. I’m the one by your side through every showing, question, and phone call. Tom is right behind every transaction, so if something comes up that I haven’t seen before, you get the benefit of his experience without ever being handed off to someone else.
You get someone who remembers what it’s like to be new, backed by someone who has seen almost everything.
My Favorite Places in Lakeville
When you buy a home, you’re also choosing everything around it. Here are a few Lakeville spots I love:
- Downtown Lakeville: The Lakeville Area Arts Center, and Babe’s Music Bar, where I’ve played open mic more times than I can count.
- Antlers Park and Lake Marion: I swim in Lake Marion every summer. As a swim coach, I might be a little biased.
- Ritter Farm Park: Wide open trails, and one of my favorite places to ride horses.
- Pan-O-Prog: Lakeville’s summer celebration, where you’ll often find me doing henna.
Outside of real estate, I’ve been a henna artist for 14 years (henna.by.josie), doing local events, art shows, city days, and weddings. I also play music around the Twin Cities with The Jake and Josie Show and Lavender Whiskey. If you’ve seen me around town, now you know what I do the rest of the week.
Lakeville First-Time Home Buyer FAQ
What is the first step to buying a home in Lakeville?
Check your credit score, before you look at a single house. Your credit decides whether you qualify for a loan and what interest rate you’ll get, so it shapes everything that comes after. It doesn’t need to be perfect. It needs to show a track record of paying on time. Checking your own score won’t hurt it, and if it needs work, finding out early gives you time to fix it. I walk through exactly how in Step 1 of my home buying series.
Do I need 20 percent down to buy my first home in Lakeville?
No, and this surprises most first-time buyers. Many people assume they need a huge down payment before they can even start, but for qualifying buyers there are loan programs and first-time buyer assistance options that require much less. The right fit depends on your credit, income, and savings, which is why I connect my clients with a trusted lender early, so you know your real numbers instead of guessing.
Where can first-time buyers find starter homes in Lakeville?
There isn’t one “starter home” neighborhood in Lakeville, and that’s a good thing. You’ll find townhomes and ramblers spread across the city, plus plenty of new construction. Each comes with tradeoffs: a townhome usually means HOA dues, an older rambler may need some updates, and new construction often doesn’t include a finished basement, landscaping, or a deck. Because I also work remodeling older homes, I can help you tell the difference between cosmetic fixes and real problems before you make an offer.
Should I be worried about buying a townhome with an HOA in Lakeville?
HOAs get a bad reputation, and some of it is fair. The monthly fee often covers things you’d pay for anyway with a single-family home, like lawn care, snow removal from your driveway, and upkeep of the outside of your home, just rolled into one payment. But the real worry for a lot of buyers is control: the association can raise fees or add costs, and you don’t get the final say on where that money goes. That’s why, before you buy, I’ll help you look at exactly what the HOA covers and how it’s been run, so you can decide with eyes open whether it’s the right fit for you.
How can I compete when other buyers have more money?
It’s not always about winning a bidding war. There will always be something out there for everybody, and the most important thing is staying within your budget and your comfort zone. If a home doesn’t fit that, it’s okay to let it go. When we do make an offer, there are ways to make it stronger without spending more. As a first-time buyer, you don’t have a home to sell first, which sellers like. You may also be able to remove certain contingencies you’re comfortable without. The one I’ll rarely, if ever, recommend dropping is the home inspection. It’s too important.
Do you only work with first-time buyers?
No. I’m happy to help anyone buying or selling a home. First-time buyers are just where I feel I can help the most, because I know what it feels like to start from zero.
Do you also work in Prior Lake and Shakopee?
Yes. Along with Lakeville, Prior Lake and Shakopee are my focus areas. I grew up on the Lakeville and Prior Lake line and have coached in all three communities, so I know them well. I can also help with homes across the Twin Cities metro.
Ready to Take the First Step?
There’s no pressure and no question too basic. Text me, call, or email, and I’ll help you figure out where you stand and what to do next, including connecting you with a trusted lender.
Text Josie: 952-454-8504
Call Josie
Email Josie
Josie Sommers • Coldwell Banker Realty • Lakeville, MN • 952-454-8504
