Tag: dream home

Smart Strategies to Save for a Down Payment on Your Dream Home

Dreaming of buying a home? One of the biggest challenges of the process is coming up with a down payment, a percentage of the home’s purchase price that you must pay at closing.

But don’t worry; with the right strategies, accumulating a cash down payment can become more achievable than you might think.

Let’s explore several simple and practical strategies to help you reach your goal of homeownership.

Set a savings goal

Start by determining how much you need for a down payment. Despite what many Americans assume, 20% down payments are not mandatory. In fact, the average down payment is 6%, according to the experts at Reliance State Bank. Several government-backed mortgage products require much less, depending on your circumstances.

Then, there are down payment assistance programs. Talk to a mortgage professional to understand the specific amount you should aim for.

Then, determine a realistic savings goal based on this amount and break it down into monthly or weekly savings targets. This way, you’ll have a clear roadmap to follow and stay motivated.

Then, make saving that money a no-brainer

Make saving easier by automating your savings process. One of the easiest ways is to dedicate a certain amount of each paycheck and automatically transfer it to your savings account.

This way, a portion of your income is saved before you even have a chance to spend it. Over time, your savings will grow without requiring constant effort or discipline.

Put together a budget

Developing a budget is key to managing your finances effectively. Track your income and expenses to determine what you’re spending on and which categories you can eliminate or reduce your spending.

Trim unnecessary expenses like eating out or subscription services. Consider cooking at home, packing lunches, or exploring free entertainment options. Redirect the money you save towards your down payment fund.

Check out these free budget templates:

Research down payment assistance

Look into down payment assistance programs. These programs, offered by government agencies or non-profit organizations, provide financial assistance to eligible homebuyers.

Depending on the program, they offer low- to no-interest loans, grants, or other assistance to help bridge the gap for your down payment. Consult with your lender for local sources and research, and contact local housing authorities or community organizations to explore these opportunities.

Check out BankRate.com for an informative breakdown of a number of down payment assistance programs.

Boost your income

Consider ways that you can make more money. Look for opportunities to earn extra money, such as freelancing, gig work, or a part-time job. Use the additional income solely for your down payment savings.

Every little bit counts and can bring you closer to reaching your goal faster. Here are some additional ways to pump up your savings account:

  1. Downsize or rent cheaper accommodations

If you’re currently renting a larger or more expensive place, downsizing to a smaller or more affordable accommodation can free up extra funds for your down payment. Look for other ways to reduce your housing costs, whether by finding a roommate, negotiating a lower rent, or exploring more affordable neighborhoods. Temporary sacrifices can lead to long-term gains.

  1. Tap into gift funds

Sometimes, family members may be willing to gift you funds toward your down payment. If you’re fortunate enough to have supportive relatives, discuss the possibility of receiving financial assistance as a gift. Remember that lenders may have specific requirements regarding gift funds, so understand and comply with any regulations.

  1. Save windfalls and bonuses

Whenever you receive unexpected windfalls like tax refunds, bonuses, or inheritances, resist the temptation to splurge and instead direct those funds toward your down payment savings. These unexpected financial boosts can provide a significant jumpstart to your savings goal.

Saving for a down payment requires discipline, but homeownership can become an attainable goal with these strategies. You may be surprised how quickly you’ve accumulated the money needed to purchase your dream home.

Remember, patience and perseverance are key.

 

3 things you can do this week to get closer to buying a home

Many Americans are putting their home purchases on hold over the uncertainty about the housing market. While we don’t recommend trying to time the market, it’s certainly understandable that some folks are a bit trepid right now.

Even though you may not be actively looking at homes to purchase right now, there are things you can be doing so that if the opportunity arises you can jump right into the market. Let’s take a look at three of those.

1. Talk to a lender

Sure, we hear a lot about cash buyers but most need a mortgage to buy a home. Get the process started by calling or visiting a lender. Family and friends, colleagues and real estate agents are good go-to sources for names of trusted lenders.

Although the initial consultation is typically quick and involves some number crunching and a list of paperwork you may need to submit, you’ll hopefully find a lender who will take some time to walk you through the process. Check out “The Smart Way to Shop for a Mortgage Lender.”

Some lenders can also counsel you on improving (or maintaining) your credit score over the next couple of months until you’re ready to buy. If not, read up on the process at MyFico.com.

Requesting loan preapproval offers real benefits, including saving time by not wasting it looking at homes you can’t afford.

In addition, “Sellers are looking for pre-approved buyers. Many prefer to entertain offers only from pre-approved buyers,” according to the pros at Capital Bank Home Loans, and we agree.

Finding out where your finances stack up in home loans is always a good idea, so this is an important step.

Preapproval from a lender is imperative, especially if you are close to being ready to buy.

When you call or visit a lender, ask all your questions, regardless of how basic you may consider them. This includes:

  • Current interest rates
  • Is a government-backed loan or a traditional loan the best choice for you?
  • Should you go with a fixed or adjustable-rate mortgage? If you don’t understand the difference between the two, ask.
  • Which down payment assistance programs are available to you?

2. Talk to a real estate agent

Retaining a real estate agent to help you buy a home is never too early. We are happy to offer you counsel on what to do right now to make you market-ready should the occasion arise sooner than you’d thought.

Sitting down with us briefly may give you insight into the current market, expectations for the future market, and other real estate-related topics you may not have considered.

Then, be sure to regularly visit our social media platforms and blog. We post a lot of educational content that you may not find elsewhere.

Some questions you may need the answer to when we get together:

  • Which banks or lenders are best for the homebuyer
  • Can you set up your home search criteria on the website so that you can regularly search for homes for sale?

3. Internet search

Speaking of searching, the sooner you start, the more familiar you’ll become with the process.

Internet searches can help you narrow down your choice of neighborhoods, the prices there, and the types of homes.

Doing drive-throughs of neighborhoods will also help you narrow down the choices. Then, when the time is right, you will have several neighborhoods on which to focus and won’t waste your precious time on those you don’t like.

Three small steps with huge rewards when the time comes to buy your home.

Reach out if you’d like to set up a meeting. We love to talk about houses!