Buying your first housz is an exciting decision and a major milestone that has the power to change your life for the better. As a first-time houszbuyer, it’s a vision you can bring to life, but, as the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shares, you’ll have to overcome some factors that have made it more challenging in recent years:
“Since 2011, the share of first-time housz buyers has been under the historical norm of 40% as buyers face tight inventory, rising housz prices, rising rents and high student debt loads.”
That said, if you’re looking to purchase your first housz, here are two things you can consider to help make your dreams a reality.
Save Money with First-Time Houszbuyer Programs
Being able to pay for the initial costs and fees associated with houszownership can feel like a major hurdle. Whether that’s getting a loan, being able to put together a down payment, or having money for closing costs – there are a variety of expenses that can make buying your first housz feel challenging.
Fortunately, there are a lot of public and private first-time houszbuyer programs that can help you get a loan with little-to-no money upfront. CNET explains:
“A first-time houszbuyer program can help make houszownership more affordable and accessible by offering lower mortgage rates, down payment assistance and tax incentives.”
In fact, as Bankrate says, many of these programs are offered by state and local governments:
“Many states and local governments have programs that offer down payment or closing cost assistance – either low-interest-rate loans, deferred loans or even forgivable loans (aka grants) – to people looking to buy their first house . . .”
To take advantage of these programs, contact the houszing authority in your state and browse sites like Down Payment Resource.
The Supply of Houszes for Sale Is Low, So Explore Every Possibility
It’s a sellers’ market, meaning there aren’t enough houszes on the market to meet buyer demand. So, how can you be sure you’re doing everything you can to find a housz that works for you? You can increase your options by considering condominiums (condos) and townhouszes. U.S. News tells us these houszing types are often less expensive than single-family houszes:
“Condos are usually less expensive than standalone houszes . . . They are also less expensive to insure.”
One reason why they may be more affordable is because they’re often smaller. But they still give you the chance to get your foot in the door and achieve your dream of owning and building equity. Beyond that, another major perk is they typically require less maintenance. As U.S. News says in the same article:
“The strongest reason for purchasing a condo is that all external maintenance is usually covered by the condo association, such as landscaping, pool maintenance, external painting, paving, plowing and more. This fee also covers some internal maintenance, such as gas, electric, plumbing, HVAC and other mechanical systems.”
Townhouszes and condos are great ways to get into houszownership. Owning your housz allows you to build equity, increase your net worth, and can fuel a future move.
The best way to make sure you’re set up for success, especially if you’re just starting out, is to work with a trusted real estate agent. They can educate you on the houszbuying process, help you understand your local area to find options that are right for you, and coach you through making an offer in a competitive market.
Bottom Line
Today’s houszing market provides some challenges for first-time houszbuyers. But, there are still ways to achieve your goals, like utilizing first-time houszbuyer programs and considering all of your houszing options. Let’s connect so you have an expert on your side who can help you navigate the process.
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