Building equity, tax deductions, and the American Dream are just a few of the many benefits of owning a home. An interest in homeownership has risen but there is still a considerably large number of renters who have a slew of excuses as to why buying is not for them. Some of those explanations are reasonable things like financial, economic, and personal limitations.
However, some excuses are just that – excuses. We understand, investing in a home is no small feat. The fear and excitement of the whole process can get overwhelming, but what if buying a home was a possibility?
Here are some of the most common excuses along with some ways to remedy the situation.
I don’t have enough for a down payment
Now it’s no secret that down payments are not cheap and take a little saving.
However, most people who say they don’t have enough, don’t know how much they need.
The best thing to do if you are interested in buying a home is to speak with a lender. Finding and speaking with a reputable lender can help you set goals and put you on the right path.
Now there is certainly the chance you won’t have enough for a down payment right away but might not need as much money as you think once you speak to a lender.
You’ll get a good financial snapshot, and your lender can talk to you about different loan options that don’t require a massive down payment.
I need to save more money
Saving money is never a bad thing, your future self will thank you for it. So, for some people waiting and saving a little longer makes sense.
Down payments, future mortgage payments, and home repairs certainly don’t come cheap. However, as the cost of houses continues to rise, so does rent.
This is why in the long run buying a home may be a better decision for you.
I’m locked into my lease
First-time home buyers have used this excuse for ages, but do you know what the penalty is for breaking your lease?
Most of the time if the property management company can find a tenant to rent out the unit there is not a penalty at all. On the flip side, it could be one month’s rent, and looking over the big picture, that’s not very much.
I might move away
Finding the perfect city or town to call home can take some time and moving frequently can put a damper on buying a home. However, if you’ve been saying for years, you could be leaving money on the table by not investing it in a home.
In some areas, especially here in Lakeland, mortgage payments are comparable with paying monthly rent. Often here in Lakeland, monthly rent is more expensive than a mortgage payment. So, if that’s the case in your area, it might be time to buy.
I’m waiting the market out
Is it a seller’s market or a buyer’s market? Often buyers will use this confusion as a reason to not buy a home. The fear of losing out on a better deal if you just wait a few more months or years can be scary.
However, no one has a crystal ball to know when the market is going to change, so you could be waiting for quite a while and even miss your opportunity.
I’m looking for the perfect house
The truth is everyone is searching for the perfect home. However, if you’ve been looking for years and have seen hundreds of homes, none of which are “perfect,” you may want to consider tweaking your expectations.
Wanting a new build over a fixer-upper or four bedrooms over three is one thing but expecting absolute perfection doesn’t exist. Every home has its quirks and problems, so a house may not be perfect but that doesn’t mean it can’t be home.
