Hastings · First-Time Buyers
Your First Home in Hastings
Learn how buying works before you shop, explained in plain words, so you know what you're signing.
Buying your first home in Hastings
First-time buyers come to Hastings for its river setting, historic downtown, and parks, then want to know what owning a home here costs each month. I'm Lesley, a REALTOR® with Bridge Realty, and we help you answer that with real numbers.
Can a first-time buyer afford Hastings? It depends on the home and its condition. The Census median value of an owner-occupied home was $322,400 for 2020 to 2024, a survey figure and not today's prices. Compare the full monthly payment, including property tax and any flood insurance, before you decide.
Ask Me Your First Question
What first-time buyers should check in Hastings
- The flood zone. Some land near the Mississippi and Vermillion Rivers is floodplain. Your lender checks it, and so do we, before you offer.
- The age of the home. Houses in the Old Hastings Historic District date from the 1860s to the 1920s. An inspection shows what the roof, foundation, and wiring need.
- Property taxes. Dakota County's property information lookup shows the current tax for any address.
- Trash service. Homes with four or fewer units use the city's hauler, Tennis Sanitation. Add it to your monthly budget.
What it costs, and the help available
Plan for four costs: earnest money with your offer, the inspection, your down payment, and closing costs. Down payments are often far less than 20 percent, and assistance may be available if you qualify. If your credit needs work, a lender can give you a plan. Our first-time buyer page explains each cost, and getting ready covers pre-approval. Comparing with a neighboring city? See St. Paul Park.
Ask us your first question about Hastings
You do not have to be ready to buy. Bring your questions, and you will leave with a plan. More on the rivers, parks, and trails is on our Hastings page, and the steps are on how we help buyers.
Send us a message or call (651) 661-4770.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need flood insurance on a Hastings home?
It depends on the flood zone. If the home is in a mapped flood zone, your lender may require it. We check the map with you before you make an offer.
How much do I need for a down payment in Hastings?
Often less than 20 percent. Some loans allow as little as 3 percent down, and assistance may be available if you qualify.
Is an older home a sensible first purchase in Hastings?
It can be. Get a full inspection, ask about past updates, and check whether historic review applies before you plan changes.
Get your home plan
Tell Us About The Home You Want
Homes For Sale In Hastings
See every home on the market in Hastings right now, updated from the MLS.
Hastings
What first-time buyers looks like in Hastings
Hastings is the Dakota County seat where the Mississippi and St. Croix Rivers meet, with historic homes, 37 parks, and about 30 miles of riverfront and park trails.
Hastings is a historic river city near Cottage Grove, and its older neighborhoods and riverfront homes each take a careful look before you buy.
- The homes
- Historic homes from the 1860s to the 1920s in the Old Hastings Historic District, plus later neighborhoods as the city grew.
- Schools people ask about
- Hastings Public Schools is based in the city. Confirm the district and schools for any address.
- Getting around
- Highway 61 crosses the Mississippi at Hastings. There is no large fixed-route bus network, but dial-a-ride and a weekly circulator bus serve the city.
- Nearby
- 37 parks on about 400 acres, about 30 miles of trails, and Vermillion Falls Park with its 35-foot waterfall.
- The trade-off
- Hastings sits where the Mississippi, St. Croix, and Vermillion Rivers meet, so some land near the rivers is floodplain. Check the flood zone for any home near the water.
First-Time Buyers: keep exploring
Ready to make your move with Lesley The Realtor?