Tired of Renting? Owning Your Own Home is Easier Than You Think!

(February 22, 2016 )

Countless people feel trapped in rentals, pouring thousands of dollars into a place that will never be their own. It seems impossible to produce a down payment for a home in order to escape this rental cycle! I understand this all too well believe me, I was there not even a year ago.  However, the home buying process isn’t nearly as impossible as it may seem. No matter how dire you believe your financial situation to be, there are several little-known facts that may be just what you need to go from a throwing money away every month to paying into your financial future!  

1. Find a lender to assist you with your down payment and closing costs.  If you’re free of debt, and own an asset outright, your lending institution may lend you the money for a down payment by securing it against your asset.  In this case, you won’t need to have accumulated capital for a down payment.  

2. Buy a home even if your credit isn’t top-notch.  If you have saved more than the minimum for a down payment, or can secure the loan against other equity, many lending institutions will still consider you for a mortgage, despite a poor credit rating.  

3. Find a seller to assist you in buying and financing the home.  Some sellers may be willing to bear a second mortgage as a seller take-back.  The seller then assumes the role of the lending institution, and you pay him/her the monthly payments, rather than paying the price of the home in a lump sum.  This is an additional option if you have a poor credit rating.    

4. Buy a home with much less down than you’d think.  Investigate local and federal programs, such as first-time buyer programs, that are designed to help people like you break into the housing market.  An experienced real estate agent will be equipped to give you all the information you need about these programs, and counsel you on which options are best for you.  

5. Create a cash down payment without going into debt. By borrowing money for specific investments, you may be able to produce a large income tax return that you can use as a down payment.  Technically, the money borrowed for these investments is considered a loan, but the monthly payments can be low, and the money you put into both the home and the investments will ultimately be yours.  

The good news is there are options out there! The next step is to educate yourself on what your own possibilities might be, and how to follow through with the means to achieve these goals. Keep in mind that you can get pre-approved for a mortgage before you begin searching for a home.  The process is free and doesn’t place you under any obligation.  You can be pre-approved over the phone.  Or, take the next step and complete a credit application.  Once a credit application is submitted, you’ll receive a written pre-approval, which will guarantee you a mortgage to a specified level.  When you have a concrete price range, you’ll know where to begin looking.  Make a commitment to yourself to break out of the renting rut!