Saving For a Home

Making the decision to buy your first home is undeniably exciting! And while you may be eager to get your foot in the door of potential homes, it’s key to take time and be savvy about the process. The most important step to take before beginning the home buying process is to start saving your money. Before you can step over the threshold of any home, you’ll need to know what you can afford and how much of a down payment you’ll be making

5 Steps to Start Saving

You’re probably planning on taking out a loan and paying a mortgage for your new home. But you’ll still need to cover the cost of a down payment, which comes out of your own pocket. That’s why it’s so important to start saving now.

Step 1: Decide How Much Home You Can Afford

So, how much home can you actually afford? On average, buyers should shoot for a mortgage payment that is 25-30 percent of their monthly take-home income. Mortgage payments that are higher than that can cause financial stress, so be realistic. Here’s a closer look at how to determine how much house you can afford.

Your mortgage payment is largely dependent on the size of the down payment of the house. For instance, a mortgage payment with a 20 percent down payment will be lower than if you put 10 percent down. How much of a down payment can you afford to make? Can you make a bigger down payment up front so your mortgage rate comes down and better meets your budget?

Keep in mind, you’ll also be paying closing costs and mortgage fees, so you’ll need to start saving for more than just your down payment.

Step 3: Create a Savings Timeline

It’s time to think about when you plan on actually purchasing a home, since this will guide your savings timeline. You’ll need to decide how much time you want to spend saving for a house and how much you need to save per month to reach your identified down payment budget.

The aggressiveness of your savings goals depends on how long you’re planning on saving for your down payment. Do you want to have enough saved for a down payment, closing costs and mortgage fees in one year? That’ll be much more intensive than a two-year or more plan, but it’s doable if you have a plan in place! Sit down and review your current budget to create a realistic savings timeline.

Step 4: Build a Home Savings Plan

Now that you know how much you want to save and have decided on a target monthly savings, it’s time to put a plan in place. Start by reviewing your current budget to identify ways you can cut back on costs or if there are ways you can make more income. There are countless ways to save each month, with some methods more vigorous than others.

When it comes to buying a home, your credit score plays a vital role. Improving your buyer’s credit score will increase your chance of being approved for a mortgage and it’ll give you more leeway to put down a smaller down payment. As you start saving for your first home, keep your end goal in mind. Knowing soon you’ll be stepping into a home you can call your own will serve as motivation to stick to your budget.

Steps for First-Time Home Buyers

Not sure where to start when buying a home? Our first time home buyer guide explains what you need to know about buying your first home. Learn more today!

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Saving for a Home

Saving money is one of the most important steps to buying a home. Learn how to save up for a down payment for a house with our first - time home buyer guide

Chapter 1 >

Understanding Loans and Mortgages

Buying a house but confused by financing? Learn about the different types of home loans and mortgages with our first-time home buyer guide.

Chapter 2 >

How to Start Looking for a House

Starting to shop for homes but don't know where to start? Learn about what to look for when buying a house so you can find the perfect home for your needs..

Chapter 3 >

Putting an Offer on a House

Found the home of your dreams and want to place an offer? Read our tips for making an offer on a house and learn how much to offer to stay competitive in the market

Chapter 4 >

The Home Inspection and Appraisal Process

What can you expect from the home appraisal and inspection process? Our homebuyer guide is here to help demystify home inspection and appraisals. Check it out today!

Chapter 5 >

Understanding Homeowners Insurance

Choosing the right insurance policy for your new house is another important step in the home buying process. Learn about how homeowners insurance works and find the best coverage for your home today.

Chapter 6 >

What to Expect on Closing Day

Closing on a house is an exciting yet hectic time, but don't worry. Our closing day checklist and tips can help you succeed. Learn more from American Family.

Chapter 7 >

What to Do After Closing on a House

Congratulations! You've closed on your home and can start making it your own. But there are a few final steps you'll need to take. Use the following resources to make your transition into your new home as smooth as possible.

Chapter 8 >