Woodbury · First-Time Buyers
Your First Home in Woodbury
Learn how buying works before you shop, explained in plain words, so you know what you're signing.
Buying your first home in Woodbury
Woodbury is a large city, and first-time buyers often assume it is out of reach. I'm Lesley, a REALTOR® with Bridge Realty, and we help you check that with real numbers.
Can a first-time buyer afford Woodbury? It depends on the type of home. Townhomes and condominiums are a common first purchase here, and older single-family homes cost less than new ones. Compare the full monthly payment, including association dues, before you rule anything in or out.
Ask Me Your First Question
What first-time buyers should check in Woodbury
- Association dues. Many Woodbury homes have them. A lower price with high dues can cost more each month than a higher price with none.
- What the dues cover. Lawn care, snow removal, exterior maintenance, and insurance on the building vary by community.
- Rental and pet rules. If you may rent the home out later, read the rules now.
- Your commute. Interstate 94 and Interstate 494 are on the north and west edges.
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 Minnesota Housing and local programs help eligible buyers with down payment and closing costs. 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 Cottage Grove.
Ask us your first question about Woodbury
You do not have to be ready to buy. Bring your questions, and you will leave with a plan. More on the community is on our Woodbury page, and the steps are on how we help buyers.
Send us a message or call (651) 661-4770.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are townhomes a good first home in Woodbury?
They can be. Check the association's dues, what they cover, and its rules before you buy.
How much do I need for a down payment in Woodbury?
Often less than 20 percent. Some loans allow as little as 3 percent down, and assistance may be available if you qualify.
Do HOA dues affect how much I can borrow?
Yes. Lenders count association dues in your monthly housing cost, so they affect what you qualify for.
Homes For Sale In Woodbury
See every home on the market in Woodbury right now, updated from the MLS.
Woodbury
What first-time buyers looks like in Woodbury
Woodbury is Minnesota's seventh-largest city, 8 miles east of St. Paul on Interstate 94, with public trails around its lakes and more than 160 miles of trails in all.
Woodbury is one of the communities we work in most. It borders Cottage Grove, where I live, and I know how its neighborhoods differ.
- The homes
- Two-story homes, townhomes, and association-maintained communities. Many neighborhoods have a homeowners association.
- Schools people ask about
- Three school districts serve different parts of the city, and South Washington County Schools covers most of it. Confirm the district for any address.
- Getting around
- Interstate 94 runs along the north edge toward St. Paul, and Interstate 494 runs along the west side toward the airport and Bloomington.
- Nearby
- More than 3,300 acres of parks and open space and more than 160 miles of trails, including Carver Lake Park.
- The trade-off
- About 90 percent of the lakeshore is public trail and parkland, so homes directly on a lake are rare.
First-Time Buyers: keep exploring
Ready to make your move with Lesley The Realtor?