Benefits. Because starter homes tend to be on the lower end of their market's price range, saving for a down payment may take less time. That could enable you to buy and start building home equity sooner than if you waited until you could afford a forever home.
Starter homes, however, are typically less expensive. The National Association of Realtors found that the starter median home price in U.S. metro areas was $233,400 in the first quarter of 2020. If you have a down payment of 20%, which Bera recommends, you'll have to come up with $46,680.
Should You Buy a Starter Home? If you're tired of renting or living at home, but don't have the cash flow necessary for anything more than a modest place, a starter home could be a great way to get into real estate without breaking the bank.
First-time homebuyer mistakes
How much do you need to make to be able to afford a house that costs $250,000? To afford a house that costs $250,000 with a down payment of $50,000, you'd need to earn $37,303 per year before tax. The monthly mortgage payment would be $870.
In general, it's best to buy when you have your eye on the horizon and you're thinking long-term. Experts largely agree that you shouldn't own unless you plan on staying in the home for at least five years. That's because, thanks to their high start-up costs, houses don't usually make great short-term investments.
Take a homebuyer who makes $40,000 a year. The maximum amount for monthly mortgage-related payments at 28% of gross income is $933. ($40,000 times 0.28 equals $11,200, and $11,200 divided by 12 months equals $933.33.)
The Federal Housing Administration, or FHA, requires a credit score of at least 500 to buy a home with an FHA loan. A minimum of 580 is needed to make the minimum down payment of 3.5%. However, many lenders require a score of 620 to 640 to qualify.
How much do you need to make to be able to afford a house that costs $300,000? To afford a house that costs $300,000 with a down payment of $60,000, you'd need to earn $44,764 per year before tax. The monthly mortgage payment would be $1,044. Salary needed for 300,000 dollar mortgage.
Starter homes may have worked for young couples years ago. However, in today's housing market where both renters and homeowners are paying exponentially more for housing, starter homes are becoming obsolete.
With a first-time buyer mortgage, you're likely to be looking for a 90% or 95% mortgage deal (meaning you'll need a 5% or 10% deposit saved.) When it comes to borrowing money in any capacity, it all comes down to risk.
When you purchase a house, the general rule is that you want to be sure you'll be in the same location for at least five years. Otherwise, you're probably going to take a hit financially. The first hit is your closing costs.
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