You Can Still Buy a Home While You Pay Off Your Student Loans
First-time homebuyers are the lifeblood of the real estate industry. It takes (usually) young people to buy their first home so people “moving up” can sell their first house and buy a bigger one. Without first-time homebuyers, the whole process is slowed down. With college costs on the rise, student loan balances are also much higher. What I’ve seen is many people who think their student loans are holding them back
According to a study by American Student Assistance, 55% of student loan holders said their debt is causing them to put off homeownership. According to Student Loan Hero, the average student loan payment for people between 20 and 30 years old is $351. That’s a big hit for many first-time homebuyer’s Debt to Income Ratio.
Related: How to Calculate Your Debt-to-Income Ratio
Here’s the good news: There’s hope! You can still buy a home while you pay off your student loans.
Living at your parents’ home until your student loans are paid off is one strategy. But, if you can’t do that, for one reason or another, then here are some other options:
1) Renegotiate your student loan repayment option.
Many student loan lenders can reduce the amount of money you are required to pay each month. Yes. This will mean it will take you longer to pay back the debt. BUT. It may allow you to buy a home!
2) Adjust your lifestyle.
Scary thought. But, when you make $30,000 a year and are trying to save for a home, pay down your debt, drive a nice car, and live it up with fancy nights out, the money can only go to so many different things. One financial expert recommends deciding which goals are most important and focusing with “Gazelle Intensity” towards that.
3) Get a second job.
Also a little scary, but getting a second job to help pay off debt faster is “one of those sacrifices” that will be worth it. You could work one weekend day (so you can still party the other one) each week and earn between $400 and $500 more per month. This would help knock out your student loan debt fast!
Related: 7 Ways to Come Up with a Down-Payment for a House
Many first-time homebuyers qualify for various “down payment assistance programs” so they can get into a home without putting down a lot of money.
Contact me for more details for your specific situation.
I was talking with a recent college graduate about how she felt like they were never going to save the $50,000 she thought she needed to put down 20% on a beautiful home. So, instead of paying $1,800 in rent, I helped her put much less than the 20% down she thought she needed and get her into a home with a total payment of less than her rent. She was ecstatic!
Another client I worked with was able to find a co-borrower for his mortgage loan with his dad. The added income, strength of credit, and assets helped to approve his application.
I need to tell you something about graduating and getting a home. Many loan officers will tell you that you absolutely, no way around it, gotta have it, do not pass go do not collect $200, have to have 2 years of employment history before you can quality for a mortgage. It’s not true in all situations.
Contact me today to find out about your specific situation! Don McCartney (847) 727-9312.