🏡 From First-Time Buyer to Realtor

Erica Taylor
Jun 16
2 min read

By Erica Taylor | Cloquet & Twin Ports Realtor®

I still remember the winter of 2024 when Jack and I bought our first home. Like many first-time buyers, we were excited, a little overwhelmed, and totally new to the process.

We scrolled Zillow and Realtor.com like it was our second job, thinking we knew what we wanted.. until we actually started stepping inside homes.

What surprised me most wasn’t just how many homes we toured (we looked for nearly five months), but how quickly we could tell within moments of walking in whether a house felt right or not. And to our surprise, one of the homes that we fell in love with had a POOL… in Duluth, Minnesota! We didn’t want to deal with that underground nightmare ;) So, our journey continued.. which had me fascinated with real estate just from the start.

🧾 The Surprises No One Warns You About

Buying a home for the first time is one of the most exciting things you’ll ever do AND also one of the most educational. Here’s what caught me off guard:

Closing costs: We knew about the down payment, but hadn’t wrapped our heads around everything else when we were thinking about buying our home. Taxes, title fees, insurance, and more.
Endless paperwork: So. Many. Documents. Having someone walk you through it step-by-step makes all the difference.
Lingo overload: What’s earnest money? What’s an appraisal contingency? It felt like a new language to me and I thankfully trusted my agent, but I’d be lying if there wasn’t times I was nodding my head and than googling what that word meant.

And that’s exactly why I became a Realtor®. To help other people navigate this complex world in real estate. I was invigorated by this process after closing our first home.

👩‍🏫 What First-Time Buyers Really Need

You don’t need a crash course in real estate law. But you do need someone who will explain things clearly, walk beside you through the process, and never make you feel like you’re asking a “dumb” question.

When I work with first-time buyers, I focus on:

✅ Education without overwhelm

✅ Seeing beyond the countertops (think: taxes, disclosures/red flags, resale, and long-term value)

✅ Plain-English explanations of appraisals, earnest money, and inspections and ensuring you are aware of what step is next in the process

✅ A buyer journey tailored to your pace and comfort level

🎯 From Buyer to Realtor | We’ve got you covered

Now that I’m on the other side as a full-time Realtor®, I bring that experience with me every single day. I know what it’s like to feel unsure, and confused. I also know how amazing it feels when you get the call that your offer has been accepted!

Whether you’re just dreaming about a home or ready to tour, I’m here to make it smooth and exciting.

📍 Cloquet + Duluth Area

📩 Let’s Connect | 763-443-2120 | Erica.taylor@results.net | Instagram: erica.taylor.mnrealtor

🏡 Start your homeownership journey with confidence

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